Chapter 19
“Which way?” Meg spun in a slow circle, unsure about which bar or restaurant they should check first. “Maybe Tootsie’s since we’re right here.”
“Hang on.” Her sister grabbed her arm. “Let’s put ourselves in Cheyenne’s shoes. If you were on a hot date and the guy you were with had money, where would you go?”
“To the most expensive joint on the island to get the most bang for my buck, the Grand Hotel.”
“Which is closed for the season. Name the second most expensive place.”
Meg rubbed her thumb and index fingers together. “Clifton Court isn’t cheap to eat at either.”
“But Cheyenne’s parents own the restaurant,” Abby said. “Name the number three spot.”
“Wendovers on the Water,” the sisters said in unison.
“Let’s start there.”
Moving at a quick clip, they hustled along the main street, making their way past Noelle’s flower shop and Peyton’s fudge store.
Crossing over to the other side, they continued walking until they reached Wendovers, a popular watering hole / dining establishment that catered to tourists as well as locals.
Although the food was expensive, it was also gourmet, even being awarded the prestigious Midwest Culinary Creation designation for three years in a row.
Abby followed her sister into the lobby and stepped off to the side, her eyes flitting to the center bar, the more casual part of the establishment. Within seconds, she spotted Cheyenne seated at the bar, cozying up to a man she recognized from tabloid photos as Harlow’s ex, Robert.
Meg nudged her. “I see them,” she hissed.
“Me too. Ten o’clock at the bar looking kissy-face schmoozy. Let’s go.” Abby grasped her sister’s arm and propelled her toward them. As luck would have it, they found a pair of empty barstools next to Robert.
Hopping onto the seat, Meg caught the bartender’s eye.
“Hey, Meg, Abby. What brings you two lovely ladies to my bar this evening?” he flirted.
“Abby and I were…uh…running some errands and got thirsty,” Meg stammered.
“What can I get you?”
Abby squinted her eyes and studied the menu board. “What do you recommend—a drink that won’t break the bank?”
“Island Heat. It’s warm apple cider spiked with bourbon, but only a splash.” He rattled off the happy-hour discounted price.
“I’ll take one.”
“Make it two,” Meg said.
“Coming right up.”
The tinkle of a woman’s laughter caught Abby’s ear. She leaned forward and reached for a cocktail napkin, furtively glancing to her left toward Robert and Cheyenne.
The woman sat close to Harlow’s ex, resting her hand on his leg, with a sultry, seductive look on her face. “Oh, Robert.” Cheyenne coyly tilted her head.
Abby quickly turned away.
“Are you okay?” her sister whispered.
“Feeling a little nauseated.” She jerked her head toward the couple and stuck her tongue out, making a gagging sound.
Meg covered her mouth, stifling the urge to laugh.
Robert shot them an annoyed look over his shoulder before resuming his conversation with Cheyenne.
The bartender returned and set the drinks in front of them. “Enjoy.”
“Thanks.” Abby took a tentative sip of the steamy concoction. “This is tasty.”
“It’s our most popular drink this time of the year.” The bartender turned away to help another customer.
The sisters grew quiet, struggling to eavesdrop on the couple next to them. As luck would have it, the bar was packed. Loud voices echoed, making it nearly impossible to listen in. Despite their best efforts, they were only able to hear snippets of their conversation.
The bartender returned. “Another round?”
Abby glanced at the clock. It was almost ten. She stifled a yawn. “Unfortunately, I have to work in the morning.”
“Ditto for me.” Meg scooped up her purse and gloves. “What do we owe you?”
“This one is on the house,” he said. “Tell your folks I said ‘hi.’”
“Thank you. Will do.” Abby left a five-dollar bill for a tip and started to climb down when she noticed Cheyenne sliding off her barstool. She said something in a quiet voice and strutted toward the back, where the restrooms were located.
Robert watched her walk away. As soon as she was gone, he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and tapped the screen.
Abby nudged her sister, frantically motioning toward him.
As nonchalantly as possible, Meg inched closer until she was almost back to back with Robert. He held the phone to his ear and began talking.
“Hey, Barbetz here. I’m still in the boondocks. Yeah, the island. I talked to my ex. It’s cool. She’ll do the deal. We won’t have to worry about Flynn.”
A moment of silence ensued.
“I’ll be heading to New York in the morning. You meeting me there?” Robert rattled off an address. “No. I’m only in town to celebrate New Year’s and then I’m flying back to LA.”
He lowered his voice, but not so low Abby and Meg couldn’t hear. “I've got a hot one on my radar.”
Another brief silence ensued.
“She’s green, never done any acting or runways, but she’s a real looker,” Robert said.
“Her name is Cheyenne Clifton. I invited her to fly to LA in a couple of weeks to make the rounds, meet a few studio execs, along with some other movers and shakers. I could be wrong, but my gut tells me she’ll be bigger than Harlow Wynn ever dreamed of. ”
The conversation abruptly ended when Cheyenne returned.
Abby followed Meg out of the bar, waiting until they were on the sidewalk. “Did you hear the jerk telling someone Cheyenne was going to be a bigger star than Harlow?”
“He’s got to be kidding,” Meg said. “Clearly, he doesn’t know Cheyenne. Wait until they spend some time together and she shows him her true colors.”
“I can see her list of demands now.” Abby licked her finger and ticked off an imaginary list. “Darling…bring me my caviar and pearl spoon,” she mocked in a falsetto voice.
“While you’re at it, I’ll take a Rolls Royce and a twenty-carat diamond.
I give him a week, two tops, before he’s ready to put her on a plane back home. ”
“Right?” Meg pursed her lips. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell Harlow what he said at this late hour. She’ll be awake all night thinking about it.”
“You’re right. Let’s see if the others want to meet for breakfast and then we’ll break the news.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Meg sent a group text, making the excuse that it was late and they needed to head home, asking if they could all meet early the next morning to discuss their findings.
Texts flew back and forth, fast and furious, with the Mackies all agreeing to meet at a downtown diner at seven the next morning.
Abby linked arms with her sister. “I say this was a successful spy mission. We know three things for sure.”
“Cheyenne and Robert have teamed up, and he plans to make her a star. What’s the third?” Meg asked.
“Harlow should thank her lucky stars she’s no longer married to that creep.”