CHAPTER FOUR
Wes checked his watch. Thanks to Debra’s schedule, he had a little more than half an hour before he was expected in the special security office. Although he was sure someone was in the office, he decided to go exploring on his own. They’d told him he could spend his down-time however he wished and had encouraged him to make the most of the Cove’s amenities. Yesterday, he’d taken full advantage of the gym and today, he wanted to walk the grounds.
The resort was massive, with a restaurant separating the hotel from other amenities like the spa, the rooftop bar, and an excursion departure area that reminded him of a queue for a theme-park ride. The gym was the finest he’d seen in a hotel setting. Lush gardens framed the pools, lazy river, and a tiki-style swim-up bar. There was a beach volleyball court, tennis courts, and a playground for kids, with dedicated child care professionals.
Luxury at every turn. Even the administration areas were welcoming, the big windows overlooked greenery bursting with bright pops of tropical flowers. Helluva place.
Not that he expected the Cove to be his final post if he accepted the offer from Gamble and Swann, the lawyers who managed the Guardian Agency. Brent, Nick, and Tony didn’t seem inclined to leave and he couldn’t blame them.
Wherever he wound up, it would be a good change of pace. As he’d told Debra, there was a big upside to shifting from standard bodyguard work that could take him anywhere to a more stable position. Especially with a grandbaby on the way, though he hadn’t shared that reasoning with anyone yet. It seemed too strange for his baby girl to be having a baby. And he wasn’t in the mood for feedback or opinions while he wrestled with his inevitable change in status.
Did he want to be a “Pop-pop” or a “Papaw”? That query had been on his mind for a week now when his daughter had sent a text along with the newest ultrasound image. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but somehow it was.
As he returned to the admin wing, he admired the attention to detail. One area flowed into the next with subtle delineation. There was purpose behind every piece of décor and the overall impact left him with a sense of quiet ease and well-being. Maybe they pumped a special fragrance in the air. The tropical vacation equivalent of casinos not having clocks around the gambling floor. The Ellington Cove stood out as the finest place around to unwind, relax, and indulge.
“Hey, welcome back,” Brent greeted him warmly as Wes walked into the office.
“You’re alone?” Wes eyed the office area. “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s all good.” Brent gestured for Wes to take a seat. “Chef Turore sent out an all-staff alert for fresh doughnuts. Gabby and Nick went down to pick up a dozen each for our office and HR.”
“That’s a nice system.”
“Nice isn’t even the tip of the iceberg.” Brent set a mug under the coffee machine and punched the button. “Pastries are a point of pride for Chef T.”
“Along with everything else he makes,” Gabby said, walking in with a bakery box. She set it on the counter next to the coffee machine. “Dig in. And eat hearty. I don’t want to wind up with leftovers.”
“What about what Tony wants?” Brent studied her over the rim of his coffee mug.
“When it comes to sugar, Tony wants what I want for him,” Gabby joked. “Pretty sure Sarah would say the same about you.”
“Good thing we all know how to stay fit,” he slanted a look at Gabby, “and mind our own business in this office.” Brent opened the box and whimpered while Gabby laughed. “Apple fritters. I am a goner.”
Wes was still learning all the names and personal ties. He knew Gabby and Tony were recently married, though it didn’t seem to be an issue in the office. He’d heard Nick was married to the HR manager, Angela. Sarah, Brent’s wife, didn’t work at the Cove. Overall, the office camaraderie was warm and friendly, but all of them knuckled down when it came to the work.
“How did things go last night?” Brent asked. “Feel like you know the area a little better?”
Wes studied the offerings in the pastry box and chose a cruller. “I didn’t do much driving around. Debra invited me to join the networking thing and afterward we went straight to her place.” Gabby sputtered her coffee and he quickly clarified. “No. Not what it sounds like. I drove her home and dropped her off.”
“Of course,” she said around a bite of pastry. “Wouldn’t be my business anyway. How much fun was the women’s networking event?”
“They were a good bunch of smart women. Food was amazing.”
“And,” Gabby pressed.
Wes polished off his cruller. “And nothing. I listened. Learned a few things.”
“Good for you,” Brent said.
“An Officer Keller from the KWPD gave a warning about a bling ring. Debra said she would send her notes to you guys.”
Gabby groaned. “I saw that email, but didn’t open it yet.” She sat down at her desk and turned on her monitor. “I’ll get on it. See what I can learn.”
“Keller is a good officer.” Brent aimed that speculative gaze at Wes. “Did it sound like anything we need to take note of?”
“Yes,” he replied. “The way Debra explained bling rings to me, I got the feeling it’s an odd time for this to be a problem. She said that type of theft pattern usually happens during a convention.”
“She’s right,” Brent said. “In between, we see more isolated incidents.”
“Unless someone came all this way to get in some practice.” Gabby waved them over and angled her monitor so they had a better view. “Ellington Cove is hosting a smallish conference next month. A regional event for a direct sales candle company.”
Brent swore under his breath. “Could they be a target?”
Wes had given in to necessity, using his reading glasses to check the email. He pulled them off and stowed them once more. “How is that significant?”
“You don’t know direct sales? Home parties?” Gabby smiled. “So, you’re not married?”
“Not for a long time.”
“Well,” Gabby began, “hosting home parties is sort of a rite of passage. And not a bad marketing plan. Think of it as a combo-deal for a social life and a side hustle. Although a lot of people earn good money and the Ellington has quickly become a favorite for recognition events.”
“What does that entail?”
“Debra can give you more information on the hotel side of things. For us, it means being aware of high-value jewelry on the premises. Precious and semi-precious gemstones.”
“And the Ellington’s been targeted?”
“Not successfully,” Brent said with pride.
“Though we know of other hotels who’ve been hit in the past,” Gabby said. “Part of the background research when we came on board here.”
Tony and Nick joined them and together the five of them reviewed the email Debra had sent and started brainstorming ideas to protect Ellington guests.
“Debra’s on top of this,” Gabby said. “She’ll have the regular security team on high alert.”