Henri ignored him, pulling up his tablet. “I’ve reviewed the reports. Fire originated in Ms. George’s suite. The microwave was the source. Now, I understand you’ve hired this woman as some kind of consultant?—”
“Marketing,” Orion said flatly.
“I thought Leo handled that,” Henri said with clipped efficiency.
Leo cleared his throat. “Obviously, what I’m doing isn’t working. I’m man enough to admit that. We need someone with fresh, contemporary ideas. Tashi’s that person.”
“Uh-huh,” said Henri, staring at his e-pad. “Not because she’s seventeen years younger than you with a body like a brick shithouse.”
“Hey!” Leo protested.
“—but perhaps we should consider whether someone who can’t operate a microwave should be in leadership.”
My teeth ground. “The fire wasn’t her doing.”
“How’s that?” said Henri dryly.
“The microwave was faulty.”
Henri’s eyes snapped to mine. “Faulty?”
“That’s the best I could determine.”
So, I lied. I’m not telling anyone anything until I get to the truth.
“You’ve also allowed this unvetted employee to create unauthorized viral content, exposing us to liability?—”
“Have you seen it?” Leo interrupted, shoving his phone at Henri.
“I don’t need?—”
“Look.”
Henri took the phone reluctantly. His face changed as he scrolled. Surprise. Then calculating. “Impressive,” he admitted. “For someone so young to generate this engagement.” He kept scrolling. “Where did you find her?”
“New York,” Orion said. “Highly recommended. Stellar portfolio.”
“New York.” Henri’s voice went flat. “Her background? Education? Previous employment?”
“In her personnel file,” I said. “Why?”
“Curious about why this miracle worker is worth nearly burning down our hotel.” He checked his watch. “Where is Ms. George? Shouldn’t she be here?”
“Sleeping,” Leo said. “Up all night creating the campaign you just called impressive.”
“How convenient. We’re paying her to sleep through safety meetings.”
“I’ll find her,” I said, standing. My chair scraped. Henri’s hostility made me want to hit something.
I headed for the elevator. Halfway there, I heard rhythmic pounding from the stairwell.
I changed direction and pulled open the door.
Tashi stood on the landing below, pounding the door. She was disheveled and flushed, wearing a tan dress that hugged her figure, with her hair in a messy bun that was coming loose. She appeared not to have slept the previous night, but she was beautiful.
“Leo?” Relief flooded her face. “Oh, thank God?—”
“I’m Ares. Where’s your key card?”
