Page 58 of All You Want
She clings on tighter, pulling the fur on my costume. Her cloying perfume, too musky for my taste, bombards my nostrils and heightens the aura of danger.
“Don’t leave me.” She grabs my vest, forcing me to twist my hand away from her and give her a light push as I angle my way toward the hotel’s lobby to secure the entrance.
“Ow…” she squeals, even though I know I didn’t hurt her. Instead, she rips the fur-covered glove from my hand. “I’ll find you, Bigfoot. If the glove fits…”
I lose her in the hubbub of the crowd. There’s no panic yet, because people think this is part of an act. They stream toward the grand staircase as a ghostly voice sounds from above.
“Wooo… Gather round, or maybe not, and try to find the lost ladies of the Bee Sting Bordello.” The voice sounds like Molly. “Follow me on a journey back in time to the days of the Gold Rush.”
Flickering twinkle lights scatter along the staircase, and a pair of white-gloved hands beckon the partiers toward the grand hallway.
Sure enough, holographic images of ghastly figures float up and down the sweeping stairway, and a dry ice mist shrouds the concierge’s counter.
Like lemmings, the guests follow the direction of the ghostly hands which point them toward the gallery filled with photos and artifacts from the Gold Rush days.
I’ve already seen the historical exhibit, so I wander around the windows and doorways looking for Tami. I last saw her taking her mom and dad to their room upstairs, and since the crowd is blocking the main staircase, I find the service stairs and sneak up that way.
I turn on the landing and stop when I hear her voice.
“I don’t owe you anything else,” she says. “We signed a contract.”
“That was before you made the last-minute changes,” Evan Graves replies. “I know you’re up to your eyeballs in debt, and I can be flexible.”
“You verbally agreed to the changes,” Tami counters. “Said they were minor details.”
“Holographic imaging isn’t cheap, but I’m a very accommodating man. You know that.” Evan’s voice is greased with sleaze. “We have a long history of working together.”
My muscles bunch up, and it takes everything I have not to charge up there and bash his head in. I have to remember I’m incognito, and while I’ll interrupt if Tami’s in danger, I’m also curious to know what Evan has on Tami, because it’s sounding like extortion.
“I thought you said we were even Steven after this deal. I brought you in to give your reality show a boost.”
“And I’m the one putting your hotel on the map. My name recognition. My fame. My social media following. I think you owe me even more for this successful grand opening.”
“Sorry, but you can’t keep upping the price.” Tami’s voice hardens. “I know you have stuff you’re holding over me, but it’s your word against mine, and you have no proof.”
“Such bravado.” Evan laughs. “You and I both know what I have on you. It would be sad if your parents were to get a glimpse. Like I said, you don’t have to pay me with money.”
“Please, Evan, don’t.” Tami’s voice is muffled in between kissing sounds.
“Hey,” I growl deep in my throat and step in between them.
“Oh, Bigfoot!” Tami squeals, falling back against the wall. “Did you get lost? This side isn’t open to the public.”
I know she’s pretending I’m not the sheriff, so without a word, I grab her hand and lead her back down the service stairs.
I’m so pissed that I drag her through the kitchen and out the back door to the loading dock. I know I’m squeezing her hand too tight, but no one threatens Tami without me interfering.
“I need to get back to the party,” Tami says. “The ghost hunting is about to start.”
“What was that I walked into?” I find a nook near the dumpster behind a pile of pallets where we won’t be seen.
“Nothing.”
“He’s threatening you, and I want to know why.”
“It’s obvious you’ve been eavesdropping,” she says tartly. “I can’t see why this is any of your business.”
“I’m your personal protection.”
