Traci peeked over the top of the magazine when his voice started causing heads to turn in the crowded lobby.
She was pleased that her young protégé managed to keep her composure while the banker launched a tirade of complaints.
“I’m so, so sorry,” Livvy said. “With the conference here, the dining room has been sold out for weeks now. But I can manage to get you a table at the poolside restaurant. The dress is very casual, but the food is wonderful. And if that doesn’t suit, there are several nice restaurants off-island, and if I call now, I think we can work something out.”
As Traci watched, the banker’s anger seemed to dissipate. Finally, he agreed that his party could “make do” with a table at the poolside café. Livvy picked up the house phone, spoke to the hostess, hung up, and smiled. “They’re giving you the cabana table. It has a great sunset view, and here’s a hint, order the Saintly Sinner cocktail. It’s amazing.”
With that, Traci stood and went back to her office, convinced that her instincts had been sound. Livvy was smiling, patient, flexible. She was everything Traci could want in a front-facing position at the Saint. Charlie would just have to get over his butt-hurt feelings.
CHAPTER 50
Andy Plankenhorn called back just as Traci was sitting down at her desk.
“Andy, hi.”
“What can I do for you today, Traci?”
“I’m afraid I have some sad news. Fred passed away this morning, at home.”
“Well,” Plankenhorn said, his voice cracking. “That’s a blessing. The last time I saw him, I prayed to the good Lord that Fred’s time would come soon. Did Ric call you with the news?”
“No. I just happened to be at the house at the time. Alberta and I were with him. I was holding his hand. It was surprisingly peaceful.”
“And where was Ric?”
“Coming back from a meeting in Savannah. He called me briefly, a little while ago, to tell me that he’s postponing having a service for his dad because it’s so soon after Parrish.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Plankenhorn said.
“I hate to sound like a cold, calculating bitch, but, Andy, I have to tell you, I’m really anxious about what’s going to happen with the estate. I mean, I’m obviously not expecting any kind of an inheritance. My main worry is that Ric, and that new lawyer of his, will have found a way, somehow, to wrest control of the hotel away from me. He can’t do that, right?”
“I’d have to go back and examine your husband’s will, and the legal arrangements Fred made before he fell ill, about the ownership of the parent company. But my memory is that Fred structured things so that he retained a majority, fifty-one percent interest in the Saint holding company, with the rest of the shares, forty-nine percent, divided evenly between the boys, er, that is, the brothers. Now, with your husband’s untimely demise, you, of course, inherited his shares, per his will.”
Traci sat, fiddling with a pen. She was silent so long, Plankenhorn coughed gently.
“And you’re worried…”
“That my scheming brother-in-law coerced his father to change his will so that Fred’s will leaves me out in the cold. Why else would he have hired a new lawyer and dragged him over to the house, and even videotaped the encounter?”
“You don’t know that.”
“You’ve known Ric his whole life. What else could he be thinking?”
“I wouldn’t want to speculate about Ric Eddings’s motives, but I will say he was never the man your husband was. Now, Traci, before you assume the worst, I should tell you that there may be other issues at play in this whole affair. Issues that could possibly complicate Ric’s ambitions.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not at liberty to speak about that. At this time.”
“God,” Traci groaned. “I hate lawyers who are ethical and discreet.”
“Until you need one yourself,” Plankenhorn said, chuckling. “Now, try not to worry too much, my dear. I’ll be in touch soon.”
CHAPTER 51
Livvy was at the dorm, on her lunch hour, stretched out on the sofa in the lounge watching television, when the front door opened. She peeked over the back of the sofa and saw Madelyn Eddings enter, carrying a large suitcase.
Parrish’s stepmother stood very still, looking around.
