Chapter 21
The manager, Alan Stewart, according to his name tag, stood behind the reception desk and motioned for them to enter. He led Joell, Crystal, and Stan Gold through a door at the back and down the hall. Of course, Crowe went too since he was riding along in Joell’s LV tote bag.
“Thank you for coming. I wish there was more I could tell you other than the suspicion that eight men seem to have disappeared, but…” He opened a door marked Security. “The evidence we should have had seems to be missing.”
Joell looked at him as if she’d picked up on something suspicious other than his handlebar moustache.
“This is Collins, the night security guard. He wanted to speak to you.”
The sleepy-eyed balding man shook hands with Joell and Crystal and nodded to Gold as if they’d already met.
“The security cameras recorded nothing unusual except for a period of static between two-ten and two-twenty a.m.”
“Where were you at that time?”
“I was doing my rounds. I didn’t see anything as I walked around the lobby except a couple of black stretch limos that pulled away from the curb. I didn’t get a look at the drivers or occupants. I didn’t catch plate numbers, either.”
“Did you find any witnesses? Did anyone see suspicious activity?”
“The clerk at the front desk said she was reading, and no one came in or left, otherwise she would have looked up. I’m sorry there’s not more to go on.”
The manager looked mildly annoyed, then faced Stan Gold.
“Why don’t you take the women upstairs to the rooms? I’ll come up in a few minutes with the passkey.”
Joell ignored the nod from Stan and said, “I think it would be better if we all go up together… Now!” with such authority that it sounded like more than a friendly suggestion.
The manager looked nervous, as if he thought she was ready to take him by the mustache and drag him up there with them, but he nodded.
Gold was talking to Crystal.
“I doubt they knew each other before this. It’s the first major convention for Tristan. Marco was last year’s model of the year, and so it’s extremely important that he be there. Scott is from the Los Angeles area, and Gabriel’s from some little town on Lake Superior.”
The manager led the way to the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor.
Joell kept a close eye on him at all times.
Crowe sensed his discomfort the way any animal would. He didn’t smell like fear exactly, but something inside the man whispered, Oh no… I’m going to be found out.
Gold chuckled, and his lips turned up in a wide smile.
“Marco made me a fortune last year. Whoever wins it this year will guarantee a banner year for their agent too. I would like that agent to be me. These hot romance novel covers, worldwide conventions, and all the publicity generated for the model competitions just get bigger and bigger. The contest takes place in three days, so I’ll be doubly grateful if you can get them here by then, in competitive shape. ”
“Of course,” Crystal said breathily.
Crowe sniffed the elevator air. The scent of money seemed to permeate it. Or was that Mr. Gold’s cologne? Chanel Egoiste, he believed. Ninety-nine dollars for a small bottle.
Joell caught the manager’s eye and held his gaze.
He inserted a finger in his collar and loosened the tight shirt around his neck.
“I’ve really got a lot riding on this. It’s more than just pride and money,” Gold was saying. “I, uh… I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I was so confident of winning this year, I went and made a stupid bet I can’t afford to lose.”
“Oh? Wh—”
The elevator doors whooshed open, and they followed Mr. Stewart down the hall.
Gold looked embarrassed and glanced at the manager.
“I’d rather not get into that right now. If you can find them, I won’t have to explain the details at all.”
Joell interjected. “If there’s any information that will give us a lead and you really want these guys returned, you’ll spill it.”
Crowe saw what they were doing. Good cop, bad cop. He should have spotted it sooner. Maybe his eighth life was making him complacent.
“I’ll ah…” He jerked his head up toward the hotel manager. “I’ll fill you in later.”
Stewart let them into the room and stood outside as Crystal and Gold went in.
Joell closed the door, staying in the hall with him.
“So, tell me what happened, Mr. Stewart. When did you first hear they were missing?”
“Not until I arrived this morning.”
Joell crossed her arms and cocked her head.
“I guess you’re not that important, then. Most hotel managers would be called the minute it was discovered.”
“I—I um…”
“I, um, what?” Joell demanded. She narrowed her eyes. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothing!” Stewart sounded a mite too defensive.
“I don’t believe you. If you really are the manager of a hotel this size and something this significant happens, I think you’d demand to be told every single detail.
And since this is my investigation, I demand that you tell me what you know—everything.
” Lowering her voice, she ground out, “You’ll be sorry if you don’t. ”
The manager’s skin took on a pink sheen as if he were starting to sweat.
“It’s my first week on the job since the other manager quit.”
Joell rolled her eyes. “Dandy.”
“I’m sorry, but I have so much going on at once, I don’t know what to do.
The head chef is yelling because his budget was cut and he has to change the whole menu.
I just had to fire a bartender for drinking on the job, and his girlfriend quit too.
Now I need to hire two more as quickly as possible, and of all the things for the hotel to run low on…
Toilet paper! Those spring break idiots toilet-papered the world when they were here. ”
“So, when did you last see them?”
“The spring breakers?”
Joell looked at the ceiling and mumbled something about strength.
“No. The models.”
“I didn’t. They’d all arrived and checked into their rooms by Monday evening. Mr. Gold arranged for a meeting room, but I never went up there.”
“Did you hear any rumors? Anything that might make them leave on their own?”
“No. Nothing.”
“You’re fairly certain they wouldn’t have left Mr. Gold in the lurch. At least not voluntarily.”
“I can’t imagine it. Besides, all of their things were left behind in their rooms.”
“So, you knew that all eight of them were indeed here?”
“I never saw them with my own eyes. Mr. Gold said he’d arranged for them to arrive Monday evening so they could relax and rest up for the hectic days ahead. I took care of the booking and checked that they’d signed in.”
“That’s considerate of you.” Joell leaned closer. “What aren’t you telling me? I need information.”
“Nothing. I’m just upset that this happened in my hotel. These models are the highlight of the conference. If they’re not here, we could have a female riot on our hands.”
Joell raised one eyebrow. “So that’s all you’re concerned about? Your hotel’s reputation being ruined by disappointed women?” She frowned at the hotel manager. “There’s more to it, isn’t there?”
“Look, if you’re accusing me of something, I’ll have to call my lawyer, but shouldn’t the police be asking these questions?”
“Maybe. Why haven’t you called them?”
Crowe suspected Joell might be off her game… or perhaps she was simply trying to trip the man up. People usually call the League instead of the police.
“Mr. Gold wanted this to be kept absolutely quiet.”
“Is that all that’s stopping you?”
He looked like a trapped animal, glancing left and right for an escape.
Joell leveled her most intense stare at him.
Crowe knew that look well. It was the kind of stare that could make anyone confess to tipping over a litter box, even if they hadn’t.
“To hell with what he wants. I’m calling the police.” He pulled a cell phone from his pocket.
Joell grabbed his wrist. “That won’t be necessary. I was just leaving.”
Uh oh. Crowe suspected her intimidation tactic had backfired.