CHAPTER 6-DAMIEN’S DISTRACTION

               Damien hated the idea of leaving April like this. Because she was speaking with him, and he didn’t like what he saw. He’d never trusted David Moore years ago. Now Damien had enough reason not to trust him. Or allow David near April or any woman.

               But Luke Miles, his assistant, texted him with an urgent request. He didn’t do that unless it’s one. Damien found Luke, surprisingly, in a supply closet near the concierge. “Luke, what is it? What happened?” Damien asked. He demanded. Luke’s face looked concerned as the door closed behind him. In a cramped storage closet, two big men weren’t in the ideal setting for an energetic meeting. It’s a meeting that would take minutes and seconds rather than hours. The space smelled of cleaning fluids and was far too warm.

               “I apologize about our meeting location. Next time, I will choose a better meeting place; preparation time was limited. Now I’m sorry but, someone’s tampered with the video cameras. We don’t have the evidence from them about who tampered with the concierge computer records. Whoever did the tampering didn’t know we backup our records every day. It’s clear whoever committed the act wasn’t familiar with their system customizations.” Luke said. He kept his professional tone as he pulled up on his tablet what little information his current investigation had produced. Damien reviewed it, before he returned the tablet back to Luke with a nod.

               “Good. It pays to customize. I see there’s no injuries because the concierge was not at their desk. Did we lose many bookings?” Damien nodded. He was glad it hurt no one, no physical damage or theft either.

               “Yes, he wasn’t at his desk and I’m unaware. A thorough review will check for missed bookings. If any are missing, it would be one or two bookings, nothing we can’t handle. The wedding’s helped in the long run. Their bulk bookings cover most of what the concierge would have booked and lost.” Luke said. He recorded their discussion, noting the necessary follow-up items.

               “Excellent. We need our people to keep their eyes open to find this person. I don’t want anyone being injured if we can’t catch this person or find out who hired them.” Damien said. He hated being unable to walk in and take control of this. Luke had to manage it for him. If he wanted to inherit the resort, he had to be patient. Damien’s dad wanted him to run the resort, concealing his own waning of power.

               This would happen until his father passed away. His father wouldn’t allow Damien to visit him or to call him. Because he didn’t want a media circus while he sought alternative medical treatments for terminal pancreatic cancer.

               “I still say it’s the Carleton Entertainment Group. It would make sense since she’s here.” Luke said. He mentioned this as if it’s a reminder. His look confirmed that for Damien, and Damien rolled his eyes. He ran his fingers through his dark blond hair.

               “Perhaps. Someone is using her. Someone from her family or a rival of both families. We must catch the people causing these incidents.  After that they must lead us to their leader and relinquish us the evidence, we need to end this.” Damien said to Luke. Damien dictated these instructions while he struggled not to pace. There’s no space in the tiny area for them. The whole situation was hard, and it’s not helping his mood.

               “Your father won’t rest well until you do.” Luke said. It reminded him of the crazy reasons he was standing there right now. He felt sure that wealth brought out the crazy and eccentricity in any family. Because middle-class families didn’t ask their children to lie about what they were doing to appear better.

               “So, we’ll fix this as fast as we can. It’s not my fault he’s put these foolish limits on me. Don’t tell anyone I’ve stepped in for him. He’s not getting better Luke. He won’t get better, I’m afraid. When you speak to him don’t change his beliefs. I know there’s nothing anyone can say or do to convince him. My father won’t take my calls, and he won’t allow me to visit him.” He leaned back against a stack of boxes. It didn’t help because Damien was, he wasn’t in the mood to sit still.

               “Damien, he doesn’t want you to see him as he is. You know how proud he is. He doesn’t want you to see him as anything less than his best. Your father is also worried some media type will follow you to take photos of him and expose him at his worst.” Luke didn’t exaggerate. They understood that the paparazzi and some investigative reporters could act as Luke described.

               “Fine. Also, Luke, have someone investigate David Moore and his wife, April. I won’t be surprised if David is having an affair with Chloe Carleton. Don’t end the investigation there have them find out everything they can.” He sought details concerning April’s life, aiming to assist her escape from David. How many hands needed greasing to speed up their divorce? How far could David’s punishment go? Damien wanted David to receive more than just giving a slap on the wrist. April deserved to watch someone slap around and brought low David as he’d done to her.

               “Yes, sir.”

               “I must go back and ensure no one will miss me for dinner. If anything, new happens Luke, you know how to contact me. We’ll try for a better meeting location next time.”

               “I’ll manage the clean up of the incident area and then work on your instructions. If your father has a message for you. I’ll leave a note tonight with a better idea of when I’ll have an idea of your father’s decisions and the results of my investigations.” Luke opened the supply closet door and stepped out into the corridor. He looked both ways as though he’d left the supply closet. “Okay, the corridor is clear.”

               Damien nodded. “Later, then.” He took a deep breath when he left the overheated air of the supply closet. Damien walked back toward his suite and his thoughts shifted back to April. Chloe and David. He couldn’t believe either woman would be interested in David. What did he offer either woman? Or was it David who pursued the women, believing they had something he wanted?

Damien planned a shower and outfit change before seeking April and the group for dinner. He sensed Chloe and David wouldn’t accept the last word.

               With the water warm, Damien opened the shower door when his phone emitted a distinctive ring that left him groaning. “Of course, I can’t have a horrible day without her putting her two cents in.” He leaned his forehead against the cool glass as his eyes closed and he sighed in resignation.

               Damien left the bathroom and found his phone. “What do you want Ellen?” He asked when he answered it, annoyed with his plans being interrupted. Damien stood in a towel with a plan. A woman he wished no involvement from delayed him.

               “Is that how you talk to your mother?” Ellen Jones said. Her voice demanded over the phone.

               “Since, my mother died over ten years ago, Ellen. You are not my mother. Ellen, why are you calling?”

               “I know you, Damien. You need a wife, and I know you don’t have a plus one. You can’t be doing that. It’s not appropriate. I promised a friend that you would meet his daughter. We’ll be there for the wedding dinner.”

               “No, Ellen. No, this is an invitation only event. How can no one understand this?”

               “Our family doesn’t count, after all, you know the bride and groom.”

               “No, I’m not having this conversation with you.”

               “That’s perfect we’ll be there soon.”

               “Ellen, no.” Damien yelled into a dead phone line. Ellen had disconnected the call.

               “Well, this will complicate things further.”