Devils night, p.26
Devil's Night, page 26
Suddenly, everything was lighter. Easier. June reached for Kelsey’s hand. “Just stay with me.”
Now wasn’t the time for confrontations. But she felt braver than she had in a long, long time. When Mr. Richardson approached, June gave him a vicious smile. Kelsey knows the truth now, June thought. And she believes me.
He blanched, taking a step back. June had never seen that look on his face before: uncertainty.
“Nice to see you, hun,” he said to his daughter. A glare was Kelsey’s only reply.
“We can catch up later,” he added, glancing at Kelsey’s hand clasped with June’s. He didn’t ask. Didn’t dare. Instead, June’s boss walked away, quickly finding another colleague to fawn over. Rings of sweat had darkened the underarms of his dress shirt.
“Well. That was awful.” Kelsey squeezed her hand. “But I love you. Always.”
June had no idea how all this would turn out. Maybe her job was in jeopardy. But that moment of victory, small as it was, had felt damned good.
She was lucky to be standing here with Kelsey. Probably lucky to be alive, or at least not in the hospital right now. She had Matthew to thank for that. Kelsey had already said thanks to him, but June hadn’t done so personally yet.
While Kelsey went to the bar to grab a couple of beers, June took out her phone to send Matthew an email.
There was a text from Penny, sent a few hours ago. June hadn’t seen it before.
Hi, I can’t find Linden. Getting worried. If you hear from her or Anvi, please let me know?
June looked up. Neither Linden nor Penny had arrived. Anvi hadn’t shown, either. That was strange. She quickly tried calling their numbers. Each one went straight to voicemail.
Maybe it was nothing. But June felt uneasy. Why would Penny send a text like that, saying she was worried, and then not follow up? June knew that Penny and Linden had been looking for her the other night, before she fell. What if something bad had happened again, but to them this time? She thought of that ghostly voice in the hotel. How she’d felt confused. Compelled.
On instinct, June decided to call Matthew. He and Penny were close. Once again the call went to voicemail, but she left a message.
Kelsey came over and handed her a foamy glass of stout. “Who were you talking to?”
“Just voicemail.”
June considered the situation—was she being too paranoid?—and decided to forge ahead. She set the beer aside. “You spoke to Penny yesterday on the phone, right? From the PR agency I’m working with?”
Kelsey nodded.
“Help me find her? I’m worried that something’s wrong.”
Chapter Forty-One
After the sun had set, Matthew dragged himself out of bed. He’d slept the whole afternoon in his room at the inn. His joints still ached, especially his right shoulder. But his head felt slightly clearer. Clear enough that his immediate first thought was Penny.
He didn’t regret their night together. But he’d thought that it would make some difference to her. He’d woken up beside her, watched her sleep with her cheek on his pillow. It had felt so right. When they made love again, it hadn’t seemed like it would be the last time. Not to him. She certainly hadn’t seemed dissatisfied, despite the injuries that—only slightly, mind you—handicapped his performance.
Saying goodbye to her would be so much worse this time around. Because he knew exactly what they were giving up. But Penny did, too. It just hadn’t been enough to change her mind.
“All right, Larsen. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.”
He rubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw. He was going to get cleaned up, get some actual food in his stomach. Then he was going to get some beers with Bryce. He wasn’t supposed to drink. But he figured that his best friend wouldn’t have to ask why he was getting drunk.
He lumbered over to the desk, where he’d left his phone. The battery was dead. He plugged it in to reset. He went for a shower and then came back to check his messages.
Nothing from Penny. But June Litvak had left him a voicemail.
“I wanted to thank you for helping me the other night. I hope you’re well…And I’m calling about Penny, too. Have you seen her? She couldn’t find Linden earlier, but…maybe they’re busy. Just have her call me if you see her? Or let me know she’s okay? Thanks.”
His pulse jumped straight into overdrive. He texted Penny first. Called. Then tried calling June, but she didn’t answer. Next he called Linden. And then Anvi, because she should be with them at the festival. Nobody was answering. Maybe cell coverage in Eden was acting up. Maybe they were busy, like June thought. But then, why hadn’t June seen them up there? Why had June been worried enough to call him? It didn’t feel right.
He threw on clothes, grabbed his keys, and left his room.
He found Krista behind the front desk.
“Do you know where Penny is?”
Lawrence and Debbie came out from the office while Matthew explained his concerns. He played June’s voicemail.
“I haven’t been able to get in touch with any of them,” Matthew said. “Something could be wrong.” He thought of how she’d gotten hurt in the Paradise Hotel last week. Those bruises. She’d been genuinely frightened.
Lawrence’s face seemed carved from stone. “It’s Devil’s Night.”
“So what?” Krista put both hands on the counter. “Penny doesn’t want our help or our input. She’s made it clear she’s fine on her own.”
“She’s in trouble,” Lawrence said. “I know it. We need to get up there.”
Debbie held up her phone. “Just wait a minute, both of you. Before you go charging up to Eden, let’s call Harry. He’s at the festival tonight, isn’t he? If anything’s wrong, he’ll know.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Tripp Sterling walked toward the white tent, smoothing the front of his shirt. Beneath strings of lights, guests were already sipping on the free booze and nibbling toast with Iranian beluga caviar. A little gift Tripp had personally provided. It was probably over the top for SunBev—they were from Phoenix, for God’s sake—but Tripp had wanted the closing party to leave them wanting more.
He scanned the faces for Linden, but she wasn’t here. He couldn’t believe she was really angry enough to miss tonight.
“Evening, Mr. Sterling,” said the beefy head of security, who was monitoring the entrance to the party just outside the tent.
“Evening. Have you seen Linden yet, by any chance?”
“No, sir. Not yet. Should I ask around on the radio?”
“No, that’s fine. She’s probably running late.” He stepped away, then doubled back. “What about Anvi?” If she tried to screw up the last night of Devil’s Fest, he would end her. She’d never find a job in PR again.
The guard thought. Then his face lit up. “I saw her earlier. Near the stage. Want me to find her?”
“I’m sure she’s busy. But if she shows up tonight, come get me before letting her in, all right?”
The man nodded, and Tripp continued on.
He’d gone back to Ashton to get cleaned up after that unpleasantness with Penny. Maybe he’d been too harsh with her. Especially now, when his entire team was falling apart. He checked Twitter again; at least Anvi had posted nothing else. If she tried to tarnish his name, he’d have his lawyers on her by tomorrow morning. He’d hoped she would handle his rejection with a little more dignity.
Hadn’t he done enough for the women in his office? The above-market pay, generous bonuses, theater tickets. The lattes and lunches that he always paid for. He never screamed at his staff, unlike his sister, whom the employees at her art gallery called “The Great and Terrible.” He expected a lot, but he’d made no secret of that. He’d made a mistake with Anvi, but plenty of people did far worse.
But all that still couldn’t keep Penny or Anvi loyal. His generosity had made them overestimate their importance. Even Linden. He liked her, and he knew her to be capable. She came from a well-known LA family, and she gave phenomenal head. Before, he’d had every intention of continuing their partnership long term. But she was far from irreplaceable.
A dozen heads turned when Tripp entered the party. He shook hands, smiled, laughed and traded flattery. He loved this part of his job. Anybody could put together events and keep track of spreadsheets and talk on the phone. But he was the essence of the Sterling PR brand. There was a reason that the firm bore his name.
If the client believes in me, he reminded himself, then nothing else matters.
He got a martini from the bar, and then June Litvak assailed him. She was swinging herself around on a pair of crutches.
“Tripp?” June asked. “Have you seen Linden or Penny?”
“Not yet.” His hand was growing slick against the martini glass. “They’re running late. Should be here soon.”
June frowned, as if his answer didn’t satisfy her. He was surprised she’d even shown her face tonight, given the trouble she’d caused at the opening-night party.
Tripp excused himself and moved on. He stopped to chat with Jeff Richardson from SunBev and Harry Wright, their grease-man in Ashton.
“Where are your beautiful colleagues tonight?” Richardson asked. “We don’t have nearly so nice of a view.”
Tripp’s jaw tightened. Why was everyone so interested in his female employees? “I wish it were otherwise. I hate to disappoint.”
“Other responsibilities, I’m guessing?” The ice in Richardson’s drink rattled. “I’m sure they have many roles in your firm.”
Tripp grinned. He hated Richardson, actually. The guy’s casual sleaziness, as if he and Tripp were on the same level. But it was good that Richardson felt comfortable.
“They do,” Tripp said. “Help’s not essential, but it comes in handy.”
“Are you saying Penny’s not essential?” Harry Wright asked. The man was still smiling, but somehow those teeth looked a little sharper.
Damn. Tripp had forgotten for a moment that Harry was Penny’s uncle. So he wasn’t such a good old boy after all, at least about his niece. Tripp laughed and clapped Harry’s shoulder.
“Of course Penny’s essential. In fact, I’m considering giving her a raise.”
The idea had just occurred to him. When he let Penny out of that room in the Paradise Hotel, he could offer to keep her on at the firm if she zipped her mouth.
Harry’s phone rang. He looked at it. “Excuse me, I need to take this. Debbie?” He walked away from them.
“I just saw June,” Tripp said to Richardson. “She seems to be recovering from her accident.”
“Good thing. I’m not sure we’ll keep her on, though.” Richardson looked into his glass, which he’d nearly drained. “She’s not as reliable as I’d hoped.”
I know how you feel there, Tripp thought.
Harry came back over, still holding his phone. “Gentleman, sorry to interrupt, but have you seen Penny at all this evening?”
Who was Harry talking to? “Why do you ask?”
“My sister-in-law is on the phone. Penny’s mother. She says nobody’s heard from Penny, and they can’t reach her. Apparently she was looking for Linden earlier?”
“Right,” Tripp jumped in. Sweat was suddenly soaking his undershirt. “Penny and I tracked down Linden on Main Street this afternoon. The two of them took off afterward to prep something for tonight. I think maybe a presentation for after dessert.”
That had sounded asinine, but it was what came into his head. So Penny had told someone about Linden. He’d instructed her not to, but she hadn’t listened. He cursed at himself for not making sure. At least he’d taken the battery out of Penny’s phone and stored it in his hotel room, just in case her family had some way to track it. He’d done the same with Linden’s, which would hamper her ability to cause him trouble tonight.
“Penny’s off doing her job,” Harry said into the phone. “She’s fine.”
Tripp thought that was the end of it. He went back to greeting his guests, being sure to prompt Richardson about SunBev’s goals for the next quarter. Just in case he could help.
But then, after about twenty minutes, June tapped his back again. He’d always thought she was cute with all those blond curls, her slight frame. But that frown brought out the ugliness in her.
“I still can’t find Penny or Linden,” June said. “I’ve asked the security guards and most of the people here. Nobody has any clue where they are.”
Then Harry Wright walked over. He’d been listening. “You know, I agree. I’d feel better if I could check in with Penny myself. Just so I could tell her parents I saw her. Can’t you find out where exactly she is?”
Tripp smiled. “How about you both enjoy the party, and I’ll track Penny down? I’ll have her call home, so her mom doesn’t have to worry.”
June nodded, the frown barely shifting.
“Thank you,” Harry said. “That would be very kind.”
“Not a problem.”
There was only one thing to do—he had to go have that conversation with Penny about the raise right now. Better yet, he’d offer to make her a partner. Then she’d do anything he asked, at least for the near future. And it would teach Linden a lesson too, for thinking she could leave him in the lurch.
This would be easier if I’d made Penny the damn offer in the first place, he thought. But she’d been acting so irrationally. Hopefully, these hours locked away had put some sense into her. He’d use the back door of the hotel—the same way he left earlier. He had the set of keys he’d gotten from the security guard. This would all work out fine.
Tripp left his martini on a table and went straight for the exit. It was just in time, too. His hands were shaking.
His phone chirped. He stopped to look. A text from Anvi.
If you don’t want the entire world to see all of our texts and emails, then come to the bank. Alone. Plus, Linden says she has a video?
He muttered a string of curse words.
“Everything okay, Mr. Sterling?” It was the beefy security guard, staring at him.
He waved, slipping his phone into his pocket. “All good. Carry on.”
Of course Linden was behind this. That conniving, selfish…
He’d deal with Anvi and Linden first. Penny wasn’t going anywhere, thankfully. He wished he could lock up all these troublesome women until he was ready for them. It would’ve made his job a helluva lot easier.
Chapter Forty-Three
Debbie set down her phone. “Harry thinks that Penny’s fine. She’s just working.”
“But she should be at that party,” Matthew said. “She told me earlier that it’s important. It makes no sense that she’s not there.” A terrible feeling was gnawing at his stomach, eating at his mind. Penny wasn’t safe. He had to do something or he’d lose any semblance of calm.
“I don’t like this,” Lawrence said.
“Me neither,” Debbie agreed.
Matthew dug his keys from his pocket. “I’m going to Eden. Now.”
“You shouldn’t be driving,” Debbie said.
Lawrence came out from behind the desk. “I’m coming with you.”
“Dad—” Krista protested.
Debbie caught her husband by the wrist. “Lawrence, are you sure? You haven’t set foot in that place in almost twenty years. The last time…”
“You think I’ve forgotten the last time? But it’s Penny who could be in danger now. I have to.”
Lawrence drove, pushing the limits of the truck’s engine and tires on the rough road. Every bump meant a lightning-sharp jolt of pain in Matthew’s head, but he gritted his teeth and ignored it. Before they could reach the parking lot, an attendee ran out, waving his arms. Matthew buzzed the window down.
“You can’t come in here,” the guy said.
“It’s an emergency.”
“I’ll call Harry,” Lawrence said. “He’ll make them let us in.”
Five minutes later, Harry met them in the parking lot. “You shouldn’t have come, Lawrence,” Harry said as they got out of the car. “Tripp just went to look for her. Everything’s fine.”
Matthew didn’t care what Tripp was doing. They’d never officially met—Linden and Penny had handled that side of things. Matthew thought Tripp seemed like a douche bag. But he also wondered if he was stereotyping the guy unfairly just because Tripp had a smarmy, self-satisfied grin and wore shirts with cuff links even on the weekend.
But if Tripp Sterling had done anything to jeopardize Penny’s safety, Matthew would permanently remove that grin from his face.
He started toward Main Street. Lawrence followed, and Harry cleared the way at the festival gates, speaking into his radio. A voice squawked back.
“Wait, hold on,” Harry said, “the security guards found somebody.”
They veered toward a tent, which had been set up as a headquarters for the security team.
But it wasn’t Penny. It was Ray Castillo.
Ray was inside chugging a bottle of water. The man looked awful; his clothes were stained. He had dark circles beneath his eyes and a day’s worth of beard on his chin. He finished the water, droplets still trickling from his mouth. He started telling a wild story that Matthew couldn’t follow. Something about bear spray.
Then Matthew felt a tug on his sleeve. It was June—she was balancing on crutches, wearing a ruffled black dress. A young woman Matthew had never seen hovered by June’s elbow. Maybe that’s Kelsey, he thought, remembering his phone call with June’s friend yesterday.
Without preamble, June said, “You’re here for Penny?”
“Yeah. Did you hear from her?”
“Not yet. She and Linden and Anvi are all missing. Somebody needs to check the hotel. I’m worried.”
Matthew knew exactly what June meant. Too many bad things had been going down in that old brick building.
“I’ll go right now.” Matthew grabbed Lawrence. “We need to get to the Paradise Hotel.”
