Clayton finally asked, “So what do you think?”
Myra hesitated, then said, “I’d like to spend a few days living on site before I commit. Would that be possible? I really do want to get a feel for the area and the community.”
“That can absolutely be arranged. We have an identical villa two doors down that is completely furnished. We try to anticipate and accommodate every need and request. It’s not at all unreasonable to expect a ‘dry run,’ if you will.”
“Yes, I will.” Myra finally showed a slight tinge of enthusiasm in her face.
“Marvelous. The first two nights are free. We just ask for a deposit. If you want to extend your stay, it will cost three hundred dollars per night.”
Myra faked a chuckle. “That’s less than my hotel.”
Clayton was almost giddy. She was going to do whatever was necessary to get this woman to sign on for a long-term agreement.Longer than her life span.
“Shall we go back to the office and fill out the paperwork? I know it’s tedious, but it has to be done.”
“I totally understand,” Myra replied. She knew Clayton was chomping at the bit, having read Myra’s latest financial and family status. The woman was wealthy, with no kids or siblings. She was the perfect resident for Sunnydale.
Clayton made small talk on the way back to the main building. She already knew the answers to the questions, no doubt.
“So, there’s no Mr. Regan? Are you widowed or divorced?”
“A bit of both.” Myra chuckled. “Divorced and widowed. My ex-husband passed away.”
“Sorry to hear it.”
“Don’t be. He was a bit of a scoundrel.” Myra thought her candor might elicit some personal information from Clayton. And it did.
“Oh, do I know what that is like.” Crabby was less effusive and more down-to-earth. “It took me a long time to be able to admit it, but he left me for a floozy.” She clicked her tongue.
“Well, then, you should be happy. A man who would leave you for a floozy isn’t worth his salt.”
“Thank you for saying that. It was quite embarrassing at the time.”
“Yes, I can imagine. Mine didn’t run off with a floozy. It was my best friend.”
“Oh, that is awful!” Clayton gasped.
“I thought so at the time. Betrayed by the two people I trusted the most. Now I am much better off without either of them. Much better.”
Clayton had a very good idea of what “much better” meant in dollars and cents. Clayton babbled on about the many activities, day trips, and vacations the company planned. “Of course, some of it costs extra.”
“I like to travel, but I want to get settled in before I do any more moving about,” Myra said, as if she meant it.
They arrived at the main building, and Clayton ushered Myra into a totally different office than Izzie’s or Regina’s. This one was off the main lobby and had large windows that overlooked a garden. It was simply furnished but tastefully done in pale shades of blue and gray. It had a cooling effect against the bright colors of the flowers.
Clayton offered Myra a seat on one side of the pale oak desk. She made quick work of pushing a full-color fancy folder toward Myra. “This has all the documents. As I said, we will need a deposit.” She hesitated. “For damages. I am sure you are very conscientious, but I must follow the rules.”
“I totally understand.” Myra reached into her purse, then handed a credit card over to Clayton. It was a corporate card the Sisters used under these circumstances.
“It’s a thousand dollars,” Clayton mentioned as she pulled the card from Myra’s fingers.
“That’s fine.” Myra leaned against the back of her chair as if to say,Now what?
“I’ll be right back.” Clayton bolted out of the office and hightailed it to the front desk. “Run this through. One thousand.” Clayton waited the minute it took for the transaction to go through. The woman behind the counter handed Clayton the card and a receipt. She turned without thanking the woman.
Myra resisted the temptation to snoop. She had no idea how long Clayton would take and couldn’t risk anything that would cause Clayton to think she was up to something.
Clayton dashed back into the room. “Ms. Regan, I have to be honest with you. I just got a call that we have an open house scheduled for this weekend. People are very interested in the villas. I would suggest you put a deposit on the one we saw today. This way, it will still be available after your trial run here.” She slapped on that fake smile again.
