Page 86 of Save Me
I slowas my headlights catch an opossum scampering across the driveway. There’s plenty of wildlife around. The outdoor crew chased a sizeable hog across the parking lot last week. They’ve also reported a family of armadillos digging up a sand pit near the sixth hole.
Lights glow in the trees to my left, closest to the golfcourse. Which version of Sloane am I going to be dealing with? The one who burrowed against my chest while sleeping last night, or the one who left me lying on the beach like a pointless cause?
I pull in next to the Cherokee and hop out, half expecting Ralph to be waiting. But it looks like he and the hens are in the coop for the night.
A large, dark shadow emerges from the woods.
“Good timing. She’s almost got the one about the roaches in place,” Frank declares in greeting.
“She found that story, huh?” It happened at the LA Wolf location. Turns out the couple who found a dead cockroach in their dinner brought the bug from home in a jar. The idiots were looking for a free stay and some publicity and didn’t think they’d get recognized on TV by any of the five other hotels they’d scammed with the same stunt. Even though their claim was discredited, the hotel took a hit.
“It’s gotta stop. You and I both know these little signs of hers aren’t hurting anyone buther.”
Still, they’ll get a reaction tomorrow. “Belinda’s the one who called in the bonfire.”
“Does she know what she’s unleashed?”
“She knows the signs are on their way back.” I drop my voice to a near whisper. “So she threatened to call up all the Sea Witch staff members and give them jobs.” Though if I know Belinda at all, my threats of retaliation will be enough to stop her.
Frank curses. “That would be a disaster.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
“Why?” That distrustful scowl appears. “What don’t I know?”
“It’s just … there’s a lot going on. Things I’m not allowed to share.” Then again, I’m sure there are rules against assaulting the hotel owner and blackmailing the GM, and I’ve broken those. But if there’s one thing besides Abbi that Henry will protect at all costs, it’s his family’s empire. Doing anything to jeopardize it will earn his wrath.
Frank folds his thick arms across his chest. “Does it affect Sloane?”
I hesitate. “Yeah. It does. Big-time.”
“Then I suggest you spit it out right now, unless you care more about the hotel than about her, in which case you can get back in that car of yours andnevershow your face here again.”
He waits quietly, but he might as well be screaming because I hear him loud and clear. Fuck it, it’s all going to be out in the open in two days, anyway. The clock is ticking, and it’s too much for me to keep this to myself anymore. Plus, maybe Frank might have advice on how to break the news to her.
In hushed tones, I reveal Henry’s plans for the harborfront and this property.
“He can’t do that,” Frank blurts when I’m done.
“Believe me, if there’s a way, he will find it. He’s greasing every palm and kissing every baby. In the end, that cocksucker will always get what he wants.”
“Jesus.” Frank pinches his brow, and I know he sees the truth in my words. “How long have you known?”
“I found out two days ago. He told me on Mondaywhen he arrived. How long he’s had it in the works, I can’t say. A while, is my guess. But the big unveiling for media is on Friday, and then it’ll be all out in the open. I’ve been trying to get him to leave this place and the Sea Witch out of it, but I’m not getting anywhere.”
“This could not have come at a worse time.”
I frown. “Why? What else is going on?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing.”
There’s definitelysomething, but Frank’s not the kind of guy you can push for information. As it is, I have enough to deal with tonight. “How do I tell her?”
“You don’t. Not yet, anyway.”
“I shouldn’t have told you.” But I feel lighter. It’s not all on my shoulders anymore. This behemoth can carry some of the weight.
“Come on.”
