Page 12 of Bad Seed

“We’re clear, but we’ll have to unload at a different warehouse. The one we’ve been using is still considered a crime scene.”

“What a mess,” Tip said. “Well, we’ll do what we have to do. We’ll unload the new shipments at the other warehouse until we get the big one back.”

Wilhem slumped into a nearby chair. “I’m glad you’re home.”

The exhaustion on his father’s face was evident, and in that moment, Tip saw the age on his father’s face and wanted to cry. He dropped to his knees in front of Wilhem’s chair and hugged him.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ve got this.”

***

Days after the wreck outside of Jubilee, Brendan had still not mentioned his part in the rescues to anyone at work. In his mind that was over, but there was still unrest at the Serenity Inn, beginning almost from the day of the new manager’s arrival.

Ray Caldwell, the owner of the inn, had been in Boston for over five months now, recovering from open-heart surgery.

Larry Beaumont, the new manager, came with a respectable résumé and unforeseen baggage—a twenty-four-year-old daughter named Justine, who took toliving in the hotel penthouse like she’d been born to it. Once she figured out that she had the run of the hotel, the spa, the massage therapists, the hotel beauty salon, and room service from the hotel kitchens, she abused every aspect of those services.

Unfortunately, Justine’s résumé was not as spotless as her father’s. She’d flunked out of one college and was kicked out of another, and had done two stints in a rehab for alcoholics. She’d just moved home with Larry when he was offered the position in Jubilee, so she happily packed up and came with him. Who wouldn’t want to live in the penthouse of a five-star hotel?

But after arriving, she’d balked at going to work anywhere within the tourist community. In her mind, she wasn’t serving the public in any way. She was meant to be the one being served. And, she hadn’t been at the hotel long before she caught a glimpse of the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen.

Finding out he worked at the hotel was icing on the cake, and learning he was the head pastry chef, even better. His name was Brendan Pope. He was someone with cachet and a good salary, plus he piqued every sexual instinct she had. The only problem was, they were more than five months into their stay, and Brendan Pope had turned down every blatant invitation she’d given him.

***

Two days ago, she’d been standing out on the balcony, having morning coffee and wishing she’d put on a coat before she’d come out, when she saw him come speeding into the employee parking lot on his motorcycle.

Brendan Pope. Obviously late for work! The main dining room would be packed today and tonight because of Valentine’s Day, and he wasn’t on the job!

When she saw him dismount and finger-comb his hair after taking off the helmet, she got hot, which angered her even more. She was angry at being rebuffed and was looking for revenge. Maybe she needed to apply pressure in another area, so she picked up her phone and called her dad. The phone rang twice and then he answered.

“Hey, sweetheart. Happy Valentine’s Day. Did you see the pink roses I sent to you?”

“Yes, I did, and thank you. You are such a good daddy,” she said, and then pretended concern as she continued their conversation. “A few minutes ago, I stepped out on the balcony for a bit of fresh air and saw your star pastry chef just arriving for work. He’s late, and considering the holiday and all, and at the rate of what he’s being paid, I would think that shouldn’t be happening.”

“He’s not late. He asked for the time days ago. Personal business. The staff is perfectly capable of standing in for him for a few hours.”

She frowned. “Oh, well, whatever then,” she said.Frustrated that she couldn’t get Brendan in trouble, she soon disconnected.

***

The moment Larry’s call ended, he went back to his computer to check inventory records and see what was on request for reorders.

It had been Larry’s decision to change a couple of vendors Ray Caldwell was using. Larry had a cousin in the wholesale business, and one of his lines was single-use bars of soap and travel-size bottles of shampoos and lotions that hotels and motels used as complimentary toiletries. The products were cheap and came in simple plastic vials, rather than the clear plastic with the hotel name and logo on the labels from the vendor Ray used. He also changed their meat purchases to a wholesaler he knew. The meat and cuts were of a lesser quality, but Larry made the same deal with him that he’d made with his cousin.

In return for him giving them the business at the Serenity Inn, they would upcharge their own cheaper products to the same amount Ray had been paying before. Then the purchasing department would think nothing of it, pay the bills as usual, and Larry and the wholesalers would split the extra profits.

This way, Larry was getting two monthly bonuses under the table without anyone knowing. He’d done it a time or two before and never been caught, and heliked knowing he had a nest egg besides his regular salary.

***

Oblivious to the fact that Justine Beaumont had just tried to tattle on him, Brendan entered the staff entrance of the hotel. He thrived in his chosen field, but his job had become complicated since the manager’s arrival.

He’d become the focus of Justine Beaumont’s fancy, to the point it was nothing shy of stalking. She wouldn’t keep her hands off him and stalked him throughout the hotel. She lurked in the staff hallways trying to catch him coming or going, and jumped in elevators with him at every chance. He’d been semi-patient at first, then began ignoring her completely, up until last month when she waylaid him again in an elevator.

He had been waiting for the staff elevator and checking messages on his phone when the car finally arrived. The door opened. He glanced up, saw it was empty, and walked on, still reading the message. Just as the doors were closing, he heard footsteps and turned to see Justine slip inside.

“That was close,” she said, and gave him a look.

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