Their footsteps tapped loudly on the marble floors. A frieze of sailboats on the waters of the Intracoastal dominated the back wall, and tall potted palms reached up to the glass ceiling. Sunlight slanted warm beams across the airy room, and huge bay windows provided a view of the sparkling water of the Atlantic Ocean. This had been his father’s pet project, his favorite hotel to visit, and André was sick that this had happened.
They sat on the ivory sofa in the corner of the lobby, and Raoul said, “I’m hearing rumors that there’s no insurance on the hotel? Does that mean we’re going to close down? The staff is worried about losing their jobs.”
Damn, news traveled faster than a bullet. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but another reason I came immediately was to reassure everyone they’re not going to lose their jobs, and not only that, but that we will continue to pay their salaries. Hopefully the damage isn’t too extensive.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Webster is still a family business, and we consider the people who work for us like family. If you want to gather up all the employees, say in an hour, I’ll meet with them in the Windsor room and tell them myself. I think hearing it from me will go a long way to assuage their fears.”
“It will. Thanks, André. How’s Chess? He didn’t come with you?”
“Not this time. I’m only here until tomorrow, so strictly business.”
Raoul nodded. “Understood. All the guests have been moved to our West Palm Beach hotel, and if any guest refused, we gave them the choice of any hotel in Fort Lauderdale they wanted to transfer to.”
“Perfect. I knew you’d have a plan.”
A young woman in the cream-and-gray dress of the staff rushed up to them. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s a man at the front desk who says he’s from the insurance company and needs to speak to the person in charge.”
Show time.
“I’ll take it from here.” André smiled at her. “Raoul, I’ll talk to you later?”
“Definitely.” They rose from the sofa, and Raoul left with the woman while André scanned the lobby and picked out the person he figured would be the adjuster from the insurance company. He was a big man, ruddy-faced, in his midsixties, with dark, wavy hair liberally streaked with silver.
“Hello? I’m André Webster of Webster Properties. Are you with American Fire and Casualty?”
“I am. Jeff Jones. How are you?”
“As can be expected. I’m hoping you have good news for us. That it was all a blip and we’re really insured.”
Jones gave a hearty laugh, and his brown eyes twinkled. “Mr. Webster, you’re a lucky man. Yes, the switchover in policies was in effect, and you are covered.”
Relief washed over André. “Thank God. I feel like a thousand pounds has been lifted off my chest.”
“I can imagine. I’ll still need to go upstairs and go through my checklist.”
“Can I tag along? I’ve only just gotten here myself, and I’d like to see the extent of the mess the fire left, what we’ll need to replace, and if anything’s salvageable.”
“Of course.”
“The elevators are this way.” The doors opened and they entered, Jones tapping away on his tablet.
They reached the top floor and stepped into the hallway. André’s eyes watered and his nose twitched from the acrid smell. Thank God their insurance was active. It was times like this that the pain of his father’s loss hit him acutely, and he wished he could’ve been by his side longer. He’d never said it, but doing this on his own was so damn hard. Not for the first time, he wished Henry or Bianca would step up and help.
He remembered his father calling him in for a private meeting when he knew time was running out.
“You’ve done more than I could ask for. But don’t sacrifice your life for the business.”
Holding back the tears, André held his father’s hand. “I’m trying not to. But there are so many people depending on me. It was easy when we only had the few hotels in the States. Now with the expansion into Europe, I’m afraid.”
He’d never said those words, before or since, not even to Chess.
“You can’t do it all alone, and you shouldn’t. I’ve been the luckiest man to have you with me. Try to bring in Henry and Bianca to help. Family is the most important thing.”
Despite what he’d told Chess, he knew it wouldn’t be a matter of simply walking away from the business. But when the time came, he hoped he’d find the wherewithal to leave it behind.
Chapter Fifteen
