Page 40 of The Last Resort
Dan nodded. “Their guy, Mister Matthew Royal, has been corresponding back and forth with my parents for over two years now. Dad got so sick of him sending long-winded emails full of questions, he gave him a key to the lodge and told him to go look at it himself. Don’t worry about him, as I said, he’s just atire kicker.”
The Brock family clearly viewed Matthew Royal as a timewaster, but if he was due to front the meeting tonight, it meant Royal Resorts planned to submit a proposal.
He might not be a tire kicker. Damn it, Dan. He might be a serious bidder.
Rachel sucked in a deep breath. She had to lock her growing panic down and fast. If she came across as nervous, the Royal Resorts people would eat her alive.
Dan’s phone rang, and he immediately answered. “Hi, dad. Yeah, we are here now. Just waiting on the committee.”
His expression turned from one of vague interest to deep concern. “What do you mean?”
There was a good deal of “What?” “Right” “Okay”, then finally “See you both soon.” Then he hung up.
“That was my father. Apparently, the head of the planning committee called a little while earlier and asked that he and mom attend tonight’s meeting. From the sounds of it, they are going to push my parents into making a decision about selling.”
Rachel met Kellie’s worried gaze. “Can they do that?”
Both Kellie and Dan nodded. “The Green Tree Resort stands on what was once public land, so everyone in the town has a vested interest in seeing the site revived,” explained Dan.
Shoot, this is not good. Why didn’t they tell me this earlier? If Royal Resorts succeeds in getting the committee and the locals on side, we might have a real fight on our hands.
Rachel’s mind was full of concern as the members of the planning committee filed into the room and took their places along the main board table. Five council representatives. All stony faced and carrying bundles of papers. What if the committee were prepared to accept Royal Resort’s proposal? And what exactly was the other proposal?
It had better not include a demolition team.
She had a sudden vision of herself chained to a bulldozer,watching as a man in a three thousand dollar navy blue suit took a pair of bolt cutters to the lock and cut her free. And just as the local cops slipped the handcuffs on her and hauled her away, the Royal Resorts ass chastised her. ‘Now, now, Ms. Little. You can’t stop progress.’
A world of expectation settled heavily on her shoulders as Rachel dropped into her chair. She glanced at Kellie, who gave her a wan smile in return.
I wish Matthew was here. I could do with seeing his friendly face.
The chair of the committee turned on his microphone. “May I have your attention folks? If you can find a seat, please take it. Everyone else you will need to stand at the back of the room. I don’t want the fire chief shutting this thing down because we’re over the limit for the space.”
Mumbles of discontent followed, but people did as they were asked. The room was uncomfortably warm, and it was obvious no one wanted to hold up proceedings.
“Right. Now there are a few things on the agenda, but the committee has decided that since most people here are probably only interested in the Green Tree Resort, we will address that issue first. After that folks can leave and free up the fresh air. Let’s get started. Please ask Mister Royal to join the meeting.”
Cue more mumbling from the audience, but the change in the agenda seemed to have pleased most. Rachel nervously clenched her left hand. She wasn’t sure if this was a fight or a flight response, but it didn’t matter. She had nowhere to hide.
Let’s see what this Matthew Royal has to say.
In the ante room, Matthew stood listening to the crowd outside in the meeting hall. From the sound of it, every second person in Aspen had decided to attend tonight. Large crowds were not his forte. He and Jordan both shared a degree of social anxiety.
I wish Rachel was here. I could do with seeing her friendly face.
In front of him was the reassembled model hidden beneath a silver cloth. Mia had suggested the cover. The plan was for him to wheel it into the room and leave it covered. Matthew would address the committee, then play the video, at the end of which he would remove the cover. It was meant to be for dramatic effect. Now, as he stared at the huge model which sat on the trolley, he wasn’t so sure.
It was going to take all his concentration just to negotiate the trolley through the door. He jumped when the door opened, and a council security guard poked his head inside. “Mister Royal, is it?”
“Yes.”
“They are ready for you now.”
“Thanks. Could you please push the double doors back and keep them open for me? I need to bring this through.” He nodded at the model.
While the security guard pushed back the doors, and locked them open, Matthew took a deep breath. He’d worked tirelessly for over two years on this project. He had an inkling that whatever transpired over the next hour, it was going to define the rest of his life.
He moved the table forward and carefully navigated it through the doors.
