He didn’t answer that, a clear indicator that he suspected that I was right.
“Fine, we’ll use one of your old ones. Just don’t make a habit of it.”
The way he said it was insulting, and I wasn’t in the mood to take any grief from him today. “They aren’t old to the readers, remember that.”
I could hear him riffling through a file on his desk. “You only have three left after I distribute this one; you know that, don’t you? That means you’re just three days away from being in breach of your contract. If that happens, all bets are off.”
I hadn’t realized my cache of backup puzzles had gotten that low. One bout of the flu and I’d have to renegotiate my contract with him, and that was something I wasn’t willing to do.
“Don’t worry; I’ll have a handful more by the end of the month.”
He sounded disappointed as he replied, “If you think you can do it, but I don’t want any more of those tiny little submissions like you sent yesterday. For what they’re paying you, the papers expect more complex math and logic puzzles from you.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said, though I had no intention of creating a puzzle that was too complex for my average reader. There might be puzzlemakers out there who could run circles around my computational challenges, but I had something they could never replace. The snippets that Derrick disliked too much as “homey” were something that came from me, and no one else in the world could come up with them just the way I did.
“I need a new puzzle tomorrow, Savannah.”
“Good-bye, Derrick,” I said, and hung up on him before he could reply.
I hated to call him, since every conversation we had always led me to feel like I needed a shower, but I wasn’t about to let his sour disposition ruin my mood. My time with Uncle Thomas, especially out on the water, had been too dear for me to let anything else ruin it. I’d buckle down and crank out more puzzles, and get enough breathing room to keep Derrick off my back.
Just not tonight.
Chapter 12
I WAS ACTUALLY FEELING BETTER AN HOUR LATER. AFTER A long shower and a fresh outfit, I was ready to tackle a puzzle after all. I’d just settled onto the couch with a pad of paper and a pencil when there was a knock at the door.
I thought about ignoring it, but it was like a ringing telephone. I just had to answer it.
“Yes?” I called out before I opened the door. Zach’s warnings were starting to sink in, especially after I had the feeling that someone had followed me from Charlotte to Hickory, even though I still wasn’t certain if I’d been right or not.
“Savannah, I’d like a moment of your time, if I could.”
Just because the man knew my name didn’t mean I had to open the door. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know you.”
“Of course you don’t,” he said. “I could show you some identification if you’d open the door. I happen to own this hotel.“
“How do I know that’s true?” I asked.
“I suppose you can’t.” After a moment’s pause, he added, “It appears that we’re at a stalemate. Is there anyone at the hotel that you trust?”
I thought about it, and realized that there was one person who fit that bill. “Garrett,” I said.
“Excellent.”
I could hear him speak briefly into his telephone, and a minute later, the manager arrived. “Ms. Stone, it’s Garrett.”
That was certainly a voice I’d come to recognize. I opened the door, and there were two men standing in the hallway. Garrett smiled at me, but the man with him was a stranger to me. Then I realized that there was something familiar about him, though I had no idea what it was. The inkling was gone as quickly as it had come.
“Sorry about that, but you can’t be too careful,” I said.
“Your prudence is admirable,” the man said. “Allow me to introduce myself in person. I’m Barton Lane.”
I wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but the hug I gave him was clearly a surprise. I thought Garrett, as cool and calm as he’d been with me before, looked as though he was going to pass out.
“Barton, thank you for everything. I’ve never felt so pampered in my life.”
When I pulled away, I saw that he was smiling. “It’s my pleasure.” The hotel owner turned to his employee and added, “You may go.”
“Of course, sir,” Garrett said. As he walked to the elevator, I saw him turn back slightly and look at me with an expression of complete awe.
“Won’t you come in?” I asked, moving aside so he could step into his suite. The place was immaculate, except for the pad and pencil still on the couch. He took it in instantly.
“Forgive me. I’ve disrupted your work.”
“I haven’t even gotten started yet,” I admitted, “so you’re not disturbing anything. Can I get you anything?”
I suddenly realized how insane the offer was, since he had everything at the hotel at his disposal.
“No, I’m fine, but thank you for offering. I trust the accommodations have been suitable.”
“They’ve been more than that,” I replied.
“Good.” He frowned as he stared at his feet, then said, “Let me get to the point. I need a favor from you.”
“Anything,” I said, and I meant it. The man had spared no expense making us comfortable, and if there was a favor I could grant him, I would do it gladly.
“I’m afraid it’s a lot to ask, but I was wondering if you would help me go through Cindy’s things. The poor girl had no one else in the world but me, and I find that I can’t bear to do it alone. After our conversation the other day, I felt I had found a kindred spirit in you.” The poor man looked as though he was about to cry. “I know it’s a great deal to ask, but there’s no one else I could approach.”
It was humbling to know that this multi-millionaire had no one but me to aid him in doing such an uncomfortable task. “I’m glad to help, but isn’t there someone on your staff you could have do it?” I couldn’t imagine how many employees he had at this hotel alone, and I knew it was just one of his many holdings.
“I’m sure there are countless people I could pay to perform this service for me, but this is personal, and I’m afraid I’ve been rather remiss in allowing anyone into my life. I know it’s too much to ask. Forgive me.”
He started to leave, and without realizing what I was doing, I reached out and grabbed his arm. Barton was clearly surprised by it, but I couldn’t exactly take it back. “I’d be honored to help you.”
“Honestly?” There was a sliver of hope in his eyes as he looked at me.
“Just let me call my husband first.”
He nodded. “I have a few calls to make myself. Meet me downstairs when you’re finished, and I’ll have a car take us there.”
“I’d be glad to drive,” I said.
That got a smile. “Thank you, but that won’t be necessary.”
“I’ll just be a minute.”
He turned to go, and then hesitated. “Thank you, Savannah.”
“That’s what friends are for. No thanks are necessary.”
I called Zach the second the door closed.
“Stone,” he said when he answered, his voice sounding like the cop he used to be.
“You’re not going to believe what just happened,” I said.
“Are you still in Hickory?”
“No, I’m back in Charlotte.”
“How was Tom? Is he all right?”
“He says he is, and I believe him. Zachary, would you let me talk?”
“Sorry. Go ahead.”
“Barton Lane asked me for a favor, and I’m going to do it.”
That got the silence I’d been looking for. “Well? You don’t have any problem with that, do you?”
“What kind of favor are we talking about here?” he asked.
“He wants me to help him clean out Cindy Glass’s apartment.”
“Savannah, that’s not funny. I’m beat, and I’m not in the mood for one of your jokes.”