Page 8 of Storm Warning

Office. Victoria’s sitting in front of your desk. I’m in my office with the feed up.

Good. I’ll be up in two minutes.

Nick strode off the elevator and toward the executive offices, David falling in beside him.

“So,” David said, his usual playfulness gone. “Corporate sabotage?”

“Has to be.” Nick’s jaw tightened. “There's no legitimate reason for her to break those blocks. And the attitude she displayed in the lobby...” He shook his head, disgust curling through him. “That wasn’t a stressed manager. That was deliberate cruelty.”

“Want me to dig into her background while you two interrogate?”

“Please. Including those financials that Ms. Danvers mentioned.”

They reached the executive suite. In his mind, Zach’s presence hummed solid and ready. Michael would be at his desk in the outer office, prepared to provide support.

He took a breath, centering himself, letting his polished mask slide into place. Underneath it, though, anger simmered—cold and controlled, but very much present.

Ready?he sent to Zach.

Always.

Nick pushed open the door.

The executive suitewas designed for both work and comfort—rich wood paneling and plush carpeting that absorbed sound, furniture that spoke of quality without ostentation. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the water, though at this hour, there was nothing to see but darkness and distant pinpricks of boat lights.

Victoria sat in front of his desk, a bottle of water sweating condensation onto a coaster beside her. She looked calm, composed, but tension showed in the set of her shoulders, the way her manicured fingers rested a bit too still on the chair arms.

Zach worked at his own desk through the open connecting door, keeping watch.

Nick settled into his leather chair, letting the silence stretch, watching Victoria’s poise crack at the edges.

Zach, anything on the camera footage yet?

Almost there. David sent me the terminal ID and timestamp. Give me two minutes.

Nick studied Victoria. “We witnessed your interaction with Ms. Danvers and Lena from the car. I’d like to understand what happened from your perspective.”

A flash of annoyance crossed her face before the mask returned. “Simply a reservation mix-up, Mr. Ivory. Nothing unusual. Lena was struggling with the system, so I stepped in to resolve the situation.”

“Struggled how?” Nick kept his tone mild, curious rather than accusatory.

“She was telling the guest that we had villas available when we don’t. I needed to correct her before Ms. Danvers developed unrealistic expectations.” Condescension colored Victoria's tone. “Lena is still very new, and she doesn’t always understand the nuances of how we handle difficult situations.”

Got it,Zach cut in.Terminal three at the front desk, Saturday at 8:47 pm. That’s where the deletion command originated. Accessing the video now.

Nick focused back on Victoria. “And these ‘nuances’—do they include dismissing guaranteed reservations without checking the system?”

Victoria’s lips thinned. “I know our inventory, Mr. Ivory. I don’t need the system to tell me what’s available.”

“Perhaps. But do you know the guarantee status of every arrival?” Nick pulled his keyboard tray out, fingers moving across the keys. “Because according to the system, Ms. Danvers did have a guarantee for Sunset Villa. Reserved nine months ago, confirmed last week by her assistant. That’s not a nuance—that’s a binding commitment. One which you ignored.”

“The block must have been removed for operational reasons?—“

“What operational reasons?” Steel edged his words. “What would justify removing a guaranteed block from a future reservation for a unique cottage that requires blocking?”

Victoria shifted, and Nick detected the first actual sign of nervousness—a quick dart of her tongue across her lips. “I’d have to review the notes to be certain, but I’m sure there was a valid reason.”

Nick, you need to watch this.