Page 51 of Colton's Last Resort

Adam chose not to answer that. Instead he told him, “She’d go to them.”

“Their bungalows,” Noah muttered.

“Yes,” Adam replied. “When she came to me with the idea, I advised against it. Our goal is to keep the staff presence to an absolute minimum, in and around the bungalows. Maintenance crews and Housekeeping don’t go there unless a guest has a spa treatment or excursion scheduled. All requests are seen to personally by the concierge.”

“You asked her not to do it?”

“Allison has a way of talking you into things.” Adam grimaced. “Sorry—shehada way. I told her she could start taking on a handful of private lessons at a time, as a trial run. If everything went well, she could take on more in the spring.”

“Do you know which guests signed up?” Noah asked. “Do you know which ones had private lessons scheduled during the week she was murdered?”

“I don’t know their names,” Adam explained. “I just know she had three signed up during that time, two she taught that same day. She was excited. She enjoyed helping people, whether it was in a group setting or one-to-one.” Adam cursed under his breath. “Did she die because I gave in—because I let her go into people’s bungalows against my better judgment?”

If the private lessons had led to Allison’s undoing, what were the three names on her exclusive list?

Chapter 10

Laura hurried toward the front desk. A raised voice had brought the lobby to a standstill and one of the front desk clerks seemed to shrink before a painfully thin platinum blonde whose designer handbag swung in a threatening motion. “I don’t want Bungalow Eighteen! My husband and I always stay in Bungalow Three! My last name is Colton, too, you know!”

At Laura’s side, Roland spoke briskly. “I’m sorry, Ms. Colton. The guard at the gate didn’t realize who she was until she was past the checkpoint.”

“It’s all right, Roland,” Laura assured him. Someone needed to rescue poor Clarissa from her stepmother’s rant. She picked up the pace to intercept.

“I can escort her out.”

“No, that will just make things worse.” Laura had never known her stepmother to visit without Clive or to make a scene. But she knew the indicators of escalation. She could feel the open curiosity and horror from people gathered around. “I can handle this.”

Alexis breezed in, planting herself behind the desk in front of Clarissa. “Ms. Colton,” she greeted Glenna smoothly. “How very nice to see you again.”

“Don’t patronize me,” Glenna snapped. “I’ve been on a plane for two hours. I want my bungalow!”

“Clarissa has informed you that Bungalow Three is currently occupied,” Alexis informed her. “If you had called ahead, we could have told you it wasn’t available.”

“I don’t care that it’s not available—”

“Ms. Colton, reservations are required for Mariposa’s bungalows,” Alexis went on. “We need at least six weeks to see to personal requests. This is a five-star resort. Not a fly-by-night motel. Because you showed up without prior notice, you will enjoy all the amenities Mariposa offers with a complimentary spa package from the comfort of Bungalow Eighteen or I can call Sedona’s Hampton Inn. I’m sure they’ll be happy to give you their best room.”

Glenna bristled. She hissed. But Laura saw the handbag droop as her arm dropped. “I see I’ve been painted into a corner.”

“No, ma’am,” Alexis said, her incisive gaze not leaving Glenna as Clarissa handed her the welcome package, complete with key card and spa vouchers. “Our policy is bungalow by reservation only. Anyone who behaves as you have is normally showed the door. And yetyouare getting a key card and a free massage from Arizona’s very best masseur.” She thrust the envelope at Glenna. “We hope you enjoy your stay at Mariposa, Ms. Colton. If you need anything further, my name is Alexis Reed. I’ll be your concierge. My number’s in the packet. Please,docall me.”

Glenna took the envelope slowly, as if afraid the thing contained anthrax. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and strutted out the entry doors, no doubt to hail one of the golf cart operators to take her to her assigned bungalow.

People roamed the lobby freely again, and Laura approached the front desk. She caught Alexis’s eye and mouthed,You are my hero.

Alexis lifted both hands in a prayer pose and tipped her chin down.

“Drinks on me at L Bar tonight,” Laura told her.

Prayer pose turned into a discreet fist pump. Alexis stopped when the next check-in appointment came forward. Brushing Clarissa out of the way, she said, “Take five. I’ll handle this.”

“Thank you,” Clarissa breathed and practically fled. She looked at Laura. “I’m sorry, Ms. Colton. She just started yelling. I didn’t know what to do.”

“It’s all right,” Laura assured her. “Go to the break room. Brew a cup of tea. I believe Tallulah left a dish of brownies for everyone there. Come back in half an hour. I’ll help Alexis and Sasha cover the front desk.”

Clarissa lit up. “Thank you so much! I was doing the meditation classes with Allison. Since something happened to her, I’ve been out of sorts...”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Laura said. “This has been a difficult time for everyone.”

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