Luck Be a Lady (Tahoe Tessie Mysteries) (25 page)
Read Luck Be a Lady (Tahoe Tessie Mysteries) Online
Authors: Gemma Halliday,T.Sue VerSteeg
Alfie escorted me to the end of the table, but instead of sitting, he dropped a gentle hand on my good shoulder.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the board," he said, addressing the room. "You've all had your chances to speak, to tell of your plans to shut this place down, tear it apart, and sell it off piece by piece. The Royal Palace has been my life, and Richard King's life, God rest his soul, for many years. It sickens me to even consider what you're suggesting. I feel, with the right person at the helm, this casino can get back on its feet and return to days of greatness and profit."
I stared up at him, finding myself silently rooting for this anonymous soul Alfie spoke about. I nodded in agreement and turned a confident smile toward the board.
Until Alfie's grip tightened on my shoulder.
"And I think that right person is Ms. Tessie King."
I froze, blinking at the room, wondering if I'd just heard him wrong.
"I'll be beside her every step of the way," Alfie continued, "as she learns the ropes, just like I was with her dad. But the past week, she's shown the sort of gumption that this place needs. No one messes with the Royal Palace while a King is at the helm."
I tried really hard to keep the shock I felt from my face as the board members muttered to one another, all eyes assessing me. While I had been gaining some measure of confidence as the
temporary
leader of this outfit, the idea of doing it permanently had me paralyzed with fear. I would have to give up my life in San Francisco, my artists, the gallery, my apartment. Though, said apartment paled in comparison to the penthouse. Captain Jack would have more room and a nice balcony to sun on.
I bit my lip. Mom was gonna be pissed if I stayed in Tahoe. Probably best to let her know
after
picking up Jack.
Rafe stood and cleared his throat loudly enough to stop the chatter. "I say we give her a chance, perhaps a three month trial period. We can always reconvene at the end of that time and reconsider our options if there are any problems. But, I have to agree with Mr. Malone. This place has been my home, made me who I am today, and I'm willing to fight to keep the doors open. I'd bet anything that Tessie's energy is just what we need to put a fresh face on the casino." He punctuated that statement with a wink in my direction, and I knew there were going to be more business dinners in our future. Rafe had big plans, and I had a feeling it would be to my benefit—the casino's benefit—if I listened more closely to them next time.
"Let's take a vote," Alfie announced. "All in favor?"
Slowly, one by one, hands timidly slid into the air until the number reached the majority. I couldn't believe it. They voted me in.
Alfie smiled down at me. "Looks like you've got a new job, kid." He paused. "Unless you like selling your arty stuff more?"
I stared at the room full of strangers, some of them smiling at me with assurance, others scoffing, arms folded over their chests. I tried to keep the tone of my voice even as I steeled my spine and said, "I want to do this. For my dad."
Rafe rounded the table and scooped me off my feet, into a bear hug. "That's our girl." He squeezed me even tighter. "I know you can do this," he whispered in my ear.
I felt a shiver ride down my spine at his warm breath tickling over my skin. Part of me was crushed when he let me go. And not just the Teen-me part this time. Damn. I think maybe Adult-me was starting to crush on this guy, too. This could definitely turn dangerous.
Board members shuffled between us, extending their hands to me in good will. I mindlessly shook hands, nodding and smiling at each board member offering their encouragement as I tried to take it all in. I was very glad to see the last person leave the room, finally alone, able to process my thoughts. I sat at the table. The long, polished conference table my dad had manned for years. I stared out at the crystal blue waters, shimmering in the sunlight like they were covered in a fine layer of diamonds. Beyond them the jagged peaks of the snow-dusted mountains reached proudly to the sky, creating a larger than life backdrop. I suddenly had the itch to paint it, to memorialize this moment, this beauty, and this incredible rush of emotions running through me on canvas. It was an itch I hadn't felt in a long time.
And I liked it.
When I finally left the boardroom, I hit the elevator button for the penthouse, the crazy thought that it was now mine just hitting me. Though, truth be told, I wasn't sure Captain Jack and I could fill a place that big on our own. A fact I was sure of as Britton answered the door.
"How do you feel about cats? And roommates?" I asked her.
Her false eyelashes batted at me. "What?"
"Well, I just accepted my father's position on the board."
Britton squealed, grabbing me in a hug to rival a boa constrictor. "Does this mean you're staying?
I nodded. "It also means the penthouse is now mine," I managed to squeak out.
She let go of me, her eyebrows twitching ever so slightly in confusion. "So you're moving in and want me to move somewhere with a roommate and cats?"
I shook my head, a laugh bubbling up in my throat. "No," I said, as I led her to the couch and sat down next to her. "I'm asking if you'd like to share the penthouse with me and my cat."
Her eyes flew open wide, instantly tearing up. "I love cats."
"You can keep the master bedroom. The thought of my dad and you...well, you still have some of your things in there, and most of my stuff is in the other room already."
"Are you sure?"
I stared into her rounded eyes, tears spilling down her face, so much appreciation and honesty in their depths. "I'm positive." Patting her hand, I stood in front of her. "I still have a few things in my suite. I'd better go get them before all of this sinks in, and I pass out."
Britton pounced from the couch, hugging me tightly again. I wrapped my arms around her and returned it as best I could with one bandaged shoulder.
"Thank you, so much," she sputtered through sobs.
Unwinding myself from her arms, I smiled. "I'll be right back."
The trip down to the fifth floor was short. I stood outside the door of my old room, reminding myself that Stintner was now behind bars, and it was safe to go in as I unlocked it. Not that those rational thoughts chased away any of the irrational fear I felt at being back at the scene of my attack. Fear that only increased when I stepped over the threshold and immediately felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. Something was wrong. Someone had been in my room again, I could feel it.
I grabbed the nearest item I could find as a weapon...my curling iron off the vanity by the door. I held it out in front of me. I wasn't sure I could do much damage, but they'd be styled perfectly.
"Hello?" I called out. "Anyone in here?" I paused. "Particularly anyone scary?"
Then I rolled my eyes at myself. Like anyone was going to answer. I was being big baby.
Get a grip, girl.
I flipped on the light switch, forcing myself to drop the curling iron.
And then I instantly saw what was different in the room.
The Vermeer.
It was hanging on the far wall of my room, a small, white card tucked in the bottom of the frame.
I took in deep breaths as I approached the priceless piece I had just about given up hope of ever seeing again, almost afraid to touch it as I retrieved the note and read it.
It's only fitting this painting gets returned to the boss.
Alfie.
The boss. Wow, that was me.
I stared up at the beautiful masterpiece, the careful brushstrokes and shading never ceasing to amaze and inspire me. I couldn't wait to hang it back up in the penthouse where it belonged.
Where I belonged.
* * * *
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* * * *
About the Authors
Gemma Halliday is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of the
High Heels Mysteries
, the
Hollywood Headlines
Mysteries,
the
Janie Bond Mysteries,
and the
Deadly Cool
series of young adult books, as well as several other works. Gemma's books have received numerous awards, including a Golden Heart, two National Reader's Choice awards and three RITA nominations. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where she is hard at work on several new projects.
Sign up for Gemma's newsletter to be the first to know about her new releases and sales, get free books, coupons and more!
http://www.gemmahalliday.com/contact/
To learn more about Gemma, visit her online at
http://www.gemmahalliday.com
Connect with Gemma on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/gemmahallidayauthor
T. Sue VerSteeg was born and raised in the southeast central region of Iowa in the small town of Grinnell. At the age of 21, she moved her parents and family to the beautiful Ozarks of Missouri where they have since made their homes. She has been blessed with the love of an adoring husband (who is also her soul mate), two wonderful children, the best sister in the world and truly amazing parents. Writing has always been a passion in her life as most family members and friends can attest. Long letters, journals and short stories can be found in nearly every drawer and filing cabinet in her home, along with manuscripts and research documents. Her most sincere wish is that you can find as much enjoyment in reading her stories as she did in the creation of them.
To learn more about T. Sue, visit her online at:
http://tsueversteeg.com
Connect with T. Sue on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/tversteeg
OTHER BOOKS BY GEMMA HALLIDAY
High Heels Mysteries:
Christmas in High Heels
(short story)
Honeymoon in High Heels
(novella)
Sweetheart in High Heels
(short story)
Hollywood Headlines Mysteries:
Jamie Bond Mysteries:
Tahoe Tessie Mysteries:
Young Adult Books:
Wicked Games (coming in 2014!)
Other Works:
A High Heels Haunting
(novella)
Watching You
(short story)
Confessions of a Bombshell Bandit
(short story)
OTHER BOOKS BY T. SUE VERSTEEG
* * * * *
SNEAK PEEK
of the first
High Heels Mystery
by Gemma Halliday:
SPYING
IN
HIGH HEELS
CHAPTER ONE
I was late.
And I don't mean the kind of late where I spent too much time doing my hair and was now stuck in traffic. I mean I was
late
late. The kind of late where the 99% effective warnings on the side of condom boxes flashed before my eyes as I white knuckled my way down the 405, silently screaming, why me? Why, oh why me? I'm a new millennium girl. I took copious notes in 6
grade Sex Ed. I carry just-in-case condoms in the zippered section of my purse. And, after that first singularly awkward experience in the back of Todd Hanson's '82 Chevy after junior prom, I have been meticulously careful. Me. I was late. And I was not taking it well.
"Dana?" Silence. "Dana, I need to talk to you." Silence. "I swear to God if you are screening me I am never speaking to you again."
I switched my cell phone to the other hand as I changed lanes, narrowly avoiding a collision with a pick-up that had "wash me" carved in opaque dust, before continuing my desperate pleas into my best friend's answering machine.
