Читать книгу All or Nothing - Debbi Rawlins, Debbi Rawlins - Страница 8

“I WANTED to sing,” Dana said finally. “Or act. That’s why I came to New York. I was hoping to find work.” She shrugged. “It didn’t pan out, but I found something else I like to do. Something I like better.” She’d told herself that often enough that it should be true by now. To some degree it was.

Fitness had always been important to her. She’d run track in high school, and when she’d traveled the pageant circuit back in her teens, she’d used the stage to push fitness as a higher priority in schools. She’d always been passionate about the need to stay active as a health issue, but if she were given the chance at a singing or acting career…

No, she could not go there. After struggling for four years, and lying to her family back home, she’d made peace with her life. It was a good life, too. She had great friends, a family who loved her, a business that had grown impressively over the past three years. One that was a lot kinder than the entertainment industry. She was happy. Content.

“A singer, huh? Now, that surprises me.”

“Why?” They’d hit the street and she was suddenly anxious to get him back to the hotel and end their conversation. No use stirring up old hurts. So what if he was here scouting talent? She’d learned the hard way that she wasn’t anything special. Just a small-town girl who’d once stood a foot above the rest. Her hopes had died long ago. There were hundreds of women hungrier and more talented than she. Let him go use his urban-cowboy charm on one of them.

“Just figured that—well, guess it doesn’t matter.”

Fine with her. “There’s the hotel,” she said abruptly and pointed. “See it?”

“Yep.” He stopped, his gaze narrowing, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You giving me the brush off?”

To avoid getting run over by a group of Japanese tourists, she was forced to move back against a building. “Do you mind? My other appointment is across town.”

The large group was too busy listening to their guide and crowded the sidewalk to the point that Chase was literally pushed up against her. He flattened his hand against the brick beside her head and braced himself to keep from crushing her breasts.

“Sorry,” he murmured, his musky scent of pine and sweat oddly pleasing.

She had a feeling he wasn’t one bit sorry judging by the way his gaze stayed fixed on her mouth. “No problem.”

“Hope I didn’t hurt you.” He was a good four inches taller than her, and she was no slouch at five-nine.

She smiled. “They’re gone.”

“What?”

“You can move back now.”

He swung his gaze toward the retreating group. “Ah.” And then he straightened and lowered his hand, his eyes coming back to her face, his mouth curving in a sly grin. “Who knew you could get stampeded in New York City?”

She sidestepped him and moved closer to the street where she could get some much-needed air. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to be late.”

“What about your payment?”

“Are we still on for tomorrow morning?”

“Most definitely. I believe I booked you for a third morning, as well?”

“Right.” She stuck her hand out to hail a cab even though she really had plenty of time to hoof it the nine blocks to her next appointment. Best she get away from him now. Tomorrow she’d be better composed. “We’ll settle up at the end of your stay.”

“Why, you’re mighty trusting.”

A cab pulled to the curb and she opened the door. “Yeah.” Too trusting. Stupidly naive, in fact. As a result, she’d made mistakes. Shameful ones she could barely stand to think about. “Must be my midwest upbringing,” she murmured as she slid into the safety of the cab. God, when was she ever going to learn?

AFTER EATING a late lunch in the hotel’s bistro-style restaurant, which to Chase meant small portions, large tab, he stopped at the front desk. He recognized the short, dark-haired front-desk clerk from this morning when he’d met Dana in the lobby.

He also recognized the name on the gold tag she wore. She was on his list. “Good afternoon, Amy.”

She smiled, looking prettier than at first glance. “Good afternoon, Mr. Culver. What can I do for you?”

For a moment, it took him aback that she knew his name. But this was one of those ritzy hotels that pampered guests with big fluffy bath towels and Godiva chocolates on the pillows, so maybe it wasn’t that odd. He’d never stayed in a place like this before. Doubted he ever would again unless he was on the job.

“Well, darlin’, you can tell me if you have a big safe in the back for me to keep some of my valuables.” He gave her one of the big smiles that had gotten him into the back rooms of high-stakes’ poker games and into more trouble than he cared to think about.

“Yes, of course.” She smiled back. “But you do know you have a private one in your room, as well?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced over at the bellman standing at the end of the counter, and then Chase lowered his voice, “But I’ve heard rumors about a couple of thefts here in the past month.”

Amy blinked. “Um…”

“Now, I’m sure you’ve been instructed not to talk about it,” he said, leaning part way across the desk so that their faces were only inches apart. “And I don’t wanna get you in any trouble, but you see, I have this expensive diamond necklace I just purchased and I would be real unhappy if anything happened to it.”

She glanced around, opened her mouth to speak and then promptly shut it again. Their eyes met and she briefly pursed her lips. “If you’d like us to keep something in the hotel safe, that certainly can be arranged.”

Damn. He must be losing his touch. “But you think my room safe is sufficient?”

Her gaze narrowed and she bit indecisively at her lower lip. “I don’t have an opinion in that regard,” she said finally.

Chase smiled, wondering how hard he should push. “I’ll think on it.” He pushed away from the counter, at the same time noticing that no one manned the concierge desk. “Do you know when the concierge will be back?”

“I’ll page Kelly right away.”

Perfect. She was the assistant and just the woman he wanted to speak with. “No hurry,” he said. “Just looking for restaurant reservations. I’ll come back in an hour.”

He felt Amy’s gaze on him until he rounded the corner where he ended up near the double doors to the Crystal Ballroom. A member of the housekeeping staff was polishing an ornate brass lamp that sat on a table near the sign for the restrooms. She barely looked up and no one else was in sight so he pulled out the small notebook he kept in his inside breast pocket.

When his finger caught on something he looked down and realized he hadn’t yet removed the price tag from the new navy blue blazer he’d bought yesterday before getting on the plane to New York. He muttered a curse, glanced around to make sure no one had sneaked up on him, and then ripped out the tag.

He only owned one suit, which, unfortunately, had seen more funerals than weddings. His other sports jacket had gotten him through dozens of court appearances, but was slightly too worn for his role as Chase Culver, rich producer, son of an oilman. The snakeskin boots he wore he’d gladly forked over five hundred bucks for two years ago. There were some things a man just didn’t scrimp on.

After flipping through a couple of pages of his notebook, he found the name of the St. Martine’s head of security. Gil Wagoner was an ex-cop who had retired after twenty-one years on the job. Chase hadn’t managed to pull his jacket, but he did know that the man’s record hadn’t been particularly remarkable. Not a bad thing. Maybe no commendations decorated his walls, but he hadn’t been brought up on any charges, either. Probably one of those guys who showed up every day to eventually get that pension. No crime in that. A warm body in a uniform was all that was needed sometimes.

Chase exhaled and thought for a minute. He wasn’t quite ready to talk to the man yet. Better to get his own feel first. Let his gut point him in a direction before finding out who security or the cops thought looked good for the theft. They had to figure it was an inside job. Roscoe hadn’t been the only one who’d been ripped off. Chase knew of at least one other theft. Who knew how many more the hotel was keeping under wraps? No matter. Two was enough to make him think the perp was right here. Not another guest, but an employee.

Or someone like Dana.

Man, he hoped not. But she had means and opportunity and maybe a motive he didn’t know about yet, so he couldn’t rule her out. Wouldn’t be the first time a pretty face and great body had waylaid an investigation.

His cell phone rang, snagging the attention of the young woman polishing the lamp. He checked the caller ID and decided to let Buddy leave a message. Whatever his ex-partner had to say would be better discussed in the privacy of Chase’s room. He flipped the cell shut, briefly catching the eye of the maid. She smiled shyly and quickly looked away.

Chase tucked the small notebook and phone back into his pocket. Then he adjusted his collar and put his game face on. No use passing up an opportunity. The young woman slid him another look. He smiled and moved toward her. “Good morning, ma’am.”

WHEN Dana entered the lobby the next morning, Amy was busy helping a guest. Kelly was on the phone. Dana checked her watch. She still had fifteen minutes before she had to meet Chase and she’d hoped the girls could get away for a cup of coffee.

She really wanted to tell them about him. Naturally she wasn’t interested in his projects or what kind of talent he was scouting, but like her, Kelly and Amy had both come from small midwestern towns looking to break into show business. Unlike her, they hadn’t given up.

Kelly hung up the phone and motioned Dana over to her desk. “You have time for coffee?” Kelly asked, shooting a look toward the door to the executive offices.

“Absolutely. I purposely came early.”

“You have a client?” Kelly closed her appointment book and slipped her gold Cross pen into the top drawer of her black-lacquer-and-glass desk.

“Yep.”

“Same one as yesterday?”

Dana nodded. “Chase Culver. He’s the reason I wanted to talk to the two of you.”

“I’d like to do more than talk to him. The guy’s hot.”

She shrugged. “He’s okay.”

Kelly snorted. “Are we talking about the same man?”

Dana grinned. “So he’s a little more than okay.”

Kelly rolled her eyes and started to walk away.

“What about Amy?” Dana glanced over at their friend who looked more subdued than usual.

“She can’t take a break yet. She’s spent the last hour in the security office. Brenda is there now so there’s no one to cover for her.”

“An hour?” Dana fell into step beside Kelly as they passed the elevators and headed for the door that would lead them to what the employees affectionately called the dungeon, officially known as the back-of-the-house, where the cafeteria, housekeeping and lockers were located.

Technically, Dana wasn’t supposed to go back there since she wasn’t an employee, but no one had ever said a word and since the other two couldn’t leave the property for their breaks they’d always grabbed a quick cup of coffee in the cafeteria.

“Everyone who worked during the thefts has been scheduled to meet with security,” Kelly explained. “It’s a pain in the ass, but I can see management’s point.”

“I get that, but Amy was there for an hour?”

“I haven’t gotten the scoop from her yet.” Kelly entered the cafeteria first and went straight for the coffee station. She nodded to one of the engineers who looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “I heard that one of the room service waiters was questioned for nearly two hours.”

“Well, those guys are actually on the guest floors all the time so I can see why.” Dana poured herself half a cup, leaving out the cream and sugar. That was all she allowed herself before running. “Even if they aren’t suspects they might’ve seen something helpful.”

“Yeah, I suppose.” Kelly chose a secluded table in the corner, although only a few other people were taking their breaks. She took a hasty sip, muttered a curse and jerked away from the steaming cup. She exhaled sharply. “But Amy hardly ever goes up on the guest floors.”

Dana had taken the seat opposite her and faced the doorway. If Kyle showed up she was out of here. The man could hurt her business so she’d kept her mouth shut, but she wasn’t going to stick around and take any harassment. She looked at Kelly and noticed the strain around her mouth and eyes. “Are you worried about Amy?”

Kelly’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. She blinked and then waved a dismissive hand. “No. I got this letter from my mom…” Kelly rubbed her temples.

“Oh, that.” Dana’s light remark belied the sympathy that ran deep. Being disappointed in yourself was one thing, but letting everyone back home know what a failure you’d become…well that was hard to stomach. It didn’t help to keep up the lie. Contact with old friends and family just kept getting harder, more complicated, until you didn’t know which end was up. “I might have some good news.”

“Yeah?” Kelly braved another sip, a curious lack of interest in her face. “I could use some good news.”

Dana spotted Amy at the door of the cafeteria. “Amy’s here.”

“Good. I’d like to hear what security said to her.”

Their friend joined them at the table and the conversation immediately focused on her meeting with security.

“Man, those guys aren’t kidding.” Amy shook her head at Dana’s offer to get her coffee. “Daryl kept firing questions at me like I was some kind of criminal.”

Kelly frowned. “Didn’t he just ask you to go to the movies with him last week?”

“Yeah, the stupid jerk wanted me to go see one of those juvenile comedies. As if.”

Dana knew the security guard, but only by reputation. “Maybe he’s giving you a hard time because you turned him down.”

“No, I heard they’re coming down hard on everyone.” Kelly shook her head. “Still, they have no reason to be suspicious of the front-desk people.”

Amy sighed. “Except I made several housekeeping requests on the nights of two of the thefts. Apparently one of the guests involved denied calling the front desk for extra pillows and I was the one who’d logged the request.”

“So?” Dana didn’t get it. “You wouldn’t have been the one to take the pillows to the guest floor.”

Amy’s expression turned grim. “After the housekeeping runner goes home at eleven, depending on who’s available, either the supervisor or a desk person fills guests’ requests.”

Dana sank back in her chair. “And tag, you were it.”

“That’s what they say. I don’t remember.” Amy growled with frustration. “I only work two lousy nights a week. Why did the thefts have to happen during my shift?”

Kelly briefly touched her hand. “Ah, sweetie, don’t worry about it. Let them make their reports. They’re just doing their job. Nothing will come of this.”

“Still, it’s humiliating.”

Kelly looked at Dana. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant. You have good news for us?”

She checked her watch. Not much time. “Turns out my client is a producer. He’s here to meet with a playwright for a film he’s backing. He didn’t say it in so many words, but he might be looking for local talent that can take on the big screen.”

“Chase Culver?” Amy asked, and at the same time Kelly said, “The hottie?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a producer?” Amy shook her head. “He doesn’t look like a producer. The guy’s yanking your chain.”

Kelly nodded. “I’m with Amy on that one. He’s a little on the rough side, don’t you think?”

“The family money comes from oil. He’s decided to dabble in the movie business.”

“Hmm.” Kelly chuckled. “Expensive way to get laid.”

“I don’t think it’s like that,” Dana said, surprised at her defensiveness. “I mean, the guy could walk into any Manhattan bar and find someone to help him pull off his boots.”

“True.” Amy glanced conspiratorially at Kelly.

“What?” Dana got defensive again. “I’m not interested, if that’s what you’re implying.”

Kelly laughed. “If you’ve got a pulse, you’re interested in the man.”

Dana pushed back from the table. “Here I thought I was doing you guys a favor.”

Kelly finished her coffee, her obvious indifference not quite computing. Of the three of them she was the most diversely talented, able to sing, act and dance. She’d also been the most ambitious, keeping up on every casting call and arranging her days off accordingly. “How?”

“Look, I don’t know what kind of film he’s looking at producing, but why not throw your hats into the ring? It’s not as if we haven’t all stood in line for hours and hours for a two-minute audition just to get thrown out on our rears.”

Oddly, it was Amy who seemed more excited. “Is he holding auditions?”

“Not yet. Not that I know of, anyway. He seems to be in the scouting stage.” Troubled by her attitude, Dana stared at Kelly. “I thought you’d be all over this opportunity.”

Kelly sighed. “I’m tired. This town is finally getting to me.”

Amy’s mouth dropped open. She briefly looked over at Dana, who understood the disbelief in Amy’s face. “You? Miss Insanely Optimistic? You’re giving up?”

“I think eight years of heartache is enough.” Kelly drove a frustrated hand through her curly hair. “I’ve got to get back to work.” She hesitated. “Look, I was going to wait and tell you guys once I made up my mind for sure, but my mom told me there’s an opening for an assistant manager at the local bank back home. The manager is an old family friend and the job is pretty much mine if I want it.”

“Shut up!” Amy’s face went pale.

Dana knew she didn’t look so hot herself. How could this be? Not gung-ho Kelly. She never ever lost hope. Anyone would’ve bet she’d be the last woman standing. “You’re going back to Wisconsin?”

Kelly shrugged. “The cost of living is lower and I might as well use my business degree…” She smiled sadly. “As much as it pains me to admit it, I’m going to be thirty next month.”

“Thirty?” Amy frowned. “That’s right. Wow.”

Kelly gave her a wry look. “I’ve got to face facts. Thirty is way too old for this town.”

“What about that new guy you’ve been seeing?” Dana asked when she found her voice again. She hated the thought of Kelly leaving. Foolishly, the idea had never occurred to her that their threesome would ever be broken up, and the concept was hard to grasp. “Is it over already?”

“No. Everything is good.” Kelly stood. “Look, I shouldn’t have brought this up yet. Miranda won’t be back from vacation for another two weeks and so obviously I wouldn’t give notice yet. And then again, I haven’t made a decision. I really have to get back to work before Kyle gets in my face.”

“But what about this guy Culver?” Amy got up, too, so abruptly she nearly knocked her chair over. “Don’t you want to know what that’s about?”

The two other employees remaining in the cafeteria looked up with avid interest. Kelly lowered her voice. “Maybe. But I’ve got to give the bank my answer soon. You guys break a leg.” She winked, and left without waiting for Amy or Dana.

Amy shook her head, still looking stunned. “That was scary.”

“Yeah.” Dana was feeling pretty shaken herself. She got rid of her unfinished coffee, afraid to look at her watch. She had to be late, but she couldn’t seem to make herself move toward the door. “Did you see this coming at all?”

“Hell, no.”

“Me neither.”

“Yeah.” Amy smoothed back her dark hair. “Wow. I’d like to go slam back a couple of shots, but I have to get back to the desk.”

Dana sighed, and walking side by side, they headed for the door. “I’ve got to meet Chase.”

Amy’s chin came up. “You think he’s legit?”

She shrugged. “I don’t have any reason not to.”

“You going for it?”

Dana swallowed. “I haven’t auditioned in three years.”

“So?” “So, I like what I’m doing.”

Amy snorted.

“Right.”

What Dana should’ve pointed out was that she’d quit three years ago. Moved on. No more pie-in-the-sky dreams for her. She had no business nurturing even the teensiest hope. Yet here she was, holding her breath.