Page 22 of Before and After

Enzo made a sound. “From the two times she’s visited, Clarice Ford doesn’t seem like good mother material, or grandmother material. Allie’s brother was her real family.”

And she’d lost him.

For a second, I thought of my mother and sisters, but I locked that down really quickly. “I’ll always help out staff members when they need it. That includes you, Rossi.”

“I don’t need help.”

I didn’t reply to that, and continued on into the staff offices. In the conference room, one of the new guards, Paul, nodded from his seat in front of the screens.

“All quiet, boss.”

“Good.”

I snatched up a stack of files off the conference table. I’d spend some time reviewing the resumes for the head of security. So far, no one was what I was looking for.

I headed into an empty office and clicked on the lamp. Settling into the chair, I set the folders down, then started flicking through.

Several hours ticked by and finally, tiredness tugged at me. I closed the files and turned off the lamp. I’d try to snatch a fewhours sleep now, then get up early for a workout in the hotel gym.

Rising, I headed back into the corridor, but I paused, turning to look back at the door leading to the staff locker room. I pivoted and changed directions.

In the locker room, I punched in the code on my locker. It contained my gym gear but on the top shelf was the small parcel I’d purchased in town today. I opened it, hesitated, then pulled out one bar of chocolate wrapped in white and gold paper.

It only took me twenty seconds to find Allie’s locker and pick the lock. I placed the chocolate bar inside, then relocked it.

I didn’t let myself think too much about why I’d visited Tessa’s aunt’s store and bought the chocolate.

Back in the lobby, I was nearing the elevators when I heard loud voices, followed by raucous laughter that echoed across the lobby.

I swiveled.

A group had just entered through the front doors. They’d clearly been in town, drinking somewhere. There were four guys and three ladies. Three very young ladies. Two were clinging to guys, and the other was holding hands with one.

“Let’s continue this party upstairs.” One dark-haired guy threw his hands in the air. “Yeah.”

I assessed the girls. The best I could tell, while they were young, they all appeared to be adults.

The guys looked like frat bros out for good time, ignoring all responsibilities. They clearly lived a privileged life, and hadn’t suffered responsibility slapping them in the face.

We had plenty of groups like these ones that came to Windward and other Langston resorts for a good time, but something about these guys set off my radar. I crossed my arms, watching them wait for the elevator.

“It’s late,” I said. “It’d be good if you to keep the noise level down.”

The group jolted and the laughter dwindled.

“Dude, where did you come from?” one guy said.

Another of the guys got a belligerent look on his face, while the girls looked wide-eyed and worried.

“Man, we’re just having a good time,” one man who looked like an unkempt surfer said.

“It’s three o’clock in the morning. The hotel guests are sleeping. You can still have a good time, just do it quietly.”

One of the guys—tall, fit, and blond—caught my gaze. We shared a look, and he nodded. He wasn’t as drunk as the others. He had a little redhead tucked under his arm.

“We’ll keep it down, sir.”

A moment later, the group disappeared into the elevator. They resumed talking loudly, but were quieter than before. The doors closed and the noise faded.