Page 56 of Sapphire Sunset

Donnie gave him trigger fingers, which didn’t seem very BeaArthur or Rue McClanahan or Betty White. But it was very Donnie.

The lawyers begged off Connor’s first officialvisit to the hotel as GM. Lois Penry, however, thought it was essential sheaccompany him and his mother in their hired SUV.

She rode up front, sorting through a stack of files on herlap she’d probably hand off to him once they reached Rodney’s office.

My office,he reminded himself.

“Has anyone addressed the press?” Connor asked.

“Lawyers released a statement last night while you wereflying in.” Connor’s mother was swiping through headlines about the scandal onher phone. “But it was basic. We’re horrified. Rodney’s been terminated. Ourhearts go out to the victims. Full cooperation with the FBI investigation. Thatsort of thing.”

“Do you know Gloria Alvarez?” Lois asked.

“I was supposed to work for her. I love Gloria,” Connorsaid.

“Great. She’s been on duty since the storm broke. The FBIquestioned her briefly yesterday and wanted nothing to do with her, so wefigure she can be trusted. Also, she’s been working for about thirty-six hoursstraight, but she’s still on her feet somehow, so she’ll meet us in the motorcourt.”

Gloria had been promoted? That was one of the better piecesof news he’d received today.

Lois continued. “And she’ll be joined by the one securityteam member who wasn’t arrested yesterday. We recommend promoting him to actingsecurity director, but that’s obviously your call.”

“What’s his name?” Connor asked.

“Logan Murdoch.”

“Are you kidding me?”

His outburst so startled his mother she almost tossed herphone into the air. Lois spun in her seat and gripped the back of her headrestto try to get a better look at him. At least he hadn’t frightened the driveroff the road.

“Connor Harcourt, watch your tone!” his mother cried.

“I’m a grown-up, Mother.”

“All the more reason to act like one.”

“I apologize, Lois,” Connor said.

“Yes, Lois, he apologizes for his completely preposterousoutburst.”

“Obviously my justified and totally not preposterous angerwas not directed at you, Lois. I’m just shocked that a stone-cold liar likeLogan Murdoch still works at Sapphire Cove. But maybe I shouldn’t be, given theway things have gone under Rodney.”

Lois stammered. “I’m sorry, Connor. I wasn’t aware of anyhistory.”

Connor sighed. Loudly.

“Do you want to tell us what this is about, young man?” hismother asked.

“He’s been here five years? Continuously?”

Lois flipped through the files on her lap. “I don’t knowwhen he started…”

“I do. He started five years ago. I want to know if hisemployment’s been uninterrupted since then.”

Lois flipped more pages.

His mother glared at him until he stuck his tongue out at her.

“Charming,” she whispered.

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