Page 57 of Sapphire Sunset

“It’s been continuous since then,” Lois said. “Would youlike to see his file?”

Connor took the folder from her. “And we’reabsolutelyconfident he had nothing to do with the blackmail scheme?”

“Our lawyers are assuring us there’s no way the FBI wouldhave come in with a dragnet like that if they were planning to arrest peoplelater. Now there’s the possibility that someone they’ve got in custody couldimplicate someone currently on staff during questioning. And they said they’dconsider giving us a heads-up before they arrest that person. But it wasn’t apromise. Just a consideration. Whatever that is.”

Connor flipped through Logan’s file and saw confirmation ofthe details he’d shared with him five years before. Yes, he’d been in theMarines. Yes, he’d been a staff sergeant. And his work record was spotless. Butwho’d kept this record? A disgraced security director currently sitting in ajail cell?

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?” his mother asked.

“I am making my first decision as general manager that isfor the good of the hotel even though it turns my stomach.”

“And what would that be?” his mother asked.

“I need someone in the security department with experience,who knows Sapphire Cove. And that’s why I’m not firing Logan Murdoch. Yet.”

“I take it you don’t want to promote him to acting securitydirector?” Lois asked.

“I would rather be eaten by a shark.” Connor snapped Logan’spersonnel file shut.

Suddenly the crush of reporters gathered outside the motor court’sentryway was racing toward them, a chorus of shouts and footfalls and TV newspeople jostling to get close to the windows.

The next thing Connor knew, the driver had somehow managedto inch through the crush, and his mother was sliding out of the back seat. Intheir wake, two attractive guys in too-tight polo shirts were directing themedia back behind the dividing line of the motor court’s entrance. Maybe Connorwas just out of it, but the guys looked very familiar.

Oddly familiar.

Suddenly there was nothing but space between him and thepowerful, veiny hand that had extended itself in greeting. Not just ingreeting, he realized. The guy was offering to help him down out of the SUVwith fingers he’d once run through Connor’s hair and an arm that had once heldhim in an embrace so powerful Connor had foolishly thought it would never end.

“Welcome back to Sapphire Cove, Mr. Harcourt,” Logan said.And as Connor stared into those dark eyes that had once bored into his with consequences,Logan added, “We’ve missed you.”

10

It seemed like the right thing to do,extending his hand. It wasn’t that he wanted to steal a touch of Connor’s soft,smooth skin, or get close enough to find out if he still wore the same citrusycologne. Those things would have been nice, sure. But they weren’t hispriorities. The SUV was up high, and Connor was the same height as when they’dlast seen each other. A little help down was a respectful gesture. A welcominggesture. And anyone who might have had a homophobic reaction to it was longgone. Arrested, in fact.

So when Connor refused Logan’s offer of assistance, givinghis open hand a blank stare before walking straight past Logan and into GloriaAlvarez’s arms, Logan explained it away by saying maybe the gesture had been abit too much. A little inappropriate, even. And maybe the familiar comfort ofGloria’s embrace had called to Connor more than any awkward memories of hislast encounter with Logan.

Gloria’s expression pulsed with raw emotion as she hugged theirnew boss.

She needed the hug.

So, fine, it was for the best, even if Logan felt slighted.

“Janice Harcourt.” Connor’s mother thrust her hand at Loganas if to distract him from how badly he’d been ignored. Logan returned herhandshake. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

“We haven’t. I’m Logan Murdoch.”

“I know. Just so we’re clear, you didn’t do any blackmailstuff, right?” she asked. “Sorry. I used to teach high school so I can bepretty direct.”

“I have never participated in any criminal enterprises duringmy employment at Sapphire Cove.”

“Just before, right?” Janice cackled.

Logan smiled. “No, not then, either.”

“Great.” Janice smiled and clapped her hands together as ifthe entire matter had been settled in an instant.

Meanwhile, Gloria and Connor spoke to each other in intimatetones, their words indecipherable. Outside in the sun, Gloria’s exhaustion—herbloodshot eyes, her drawn features—were impossible to ignore, and since theyhadn’t made a plan for Connor’s arrival, Logan decided it was best if he takethe lead.

“Mr. Harcourt, there’s been a major renovation since youwere here last, so we thought it would be best if we started with a tour of thepremises so you can—”

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