Murder in Kincaid Towers Read online

  Brooke’s head was spinning, without thinking, she told Travis she was available and would be waiting in the lobby for him.

  Why can’t I say no to this guy? What does he want from me? This job sounds too good to be true.

  George Colby appeared at her desk.

  “Brooke, you look upset, I hope I didn’t overstep when I made a deal with Travis Kincaid and your job here.”

  “Mr. Colby, I didn’t see you standing there. I’m sorry Travis involved you in this. Of course, I will honor my obligation to Colby, Lynch, and Sprague. I love my job and don’t want to leave.”

  “Dear, don’t let loyalty to this firm get in the way of future success for you. We will miss you but working with René Dubois will benefit you and your career more than we can ever do for you. Does your skepticism have anything to do with Travis Kincaid?”

  “Yes, I’m not sure he is what he seems, I wonder if he has an agenda where I’m concerned.” Brooke could feel her cheeks turning pink as she spoke candidly to her boss.

  “I understand,” Mr. Colby chuckled, “I believe you will find Travis’s reputation is highly exaggerated. I find him to be a decent young man, however, I’m not a woman. Why not give the job a try? You will be welcomed back here if things don’t work out or you feel compromised in any way.”

  George Colby is a man in his late sixties. He and two college friends began the company on a shoestring immediately after graduation. The three of them built a reputation for fairness with their staff and clients. Most of their employees have been with the company for years. Phillip Lynch and Leonard Sprague are semi-retired and spend most of their time in the southwest perfecting their golf games. George lost his wife three years ago, he finds working eases the pain of going home to an empty house. His son, Andy is a forest ranger in the Colorado Rockies and lives there with his wife and two children. Nothing would have made George happier than to have his son join the firm, however, it was not to be. Phillip’s wife, Sherry has made several attempts to introduce him to widows his age, but he insists no one can take the place of his beloved Betsy.

  “Thank you, Mr. Colby, I will talk to Angie in the personnel office and turn in my two-week notice.”

  “Travis said René will be leaving for a property on Monday morning, you can work until the end of the week and be ready for your new job after the weekend. I’ll clear it with Angie. Good luck, Brooke, I’m going to miss seeing that cheerful smile every morning.”

  Brooke stood at the door in the lobby until she saw Travis’s limousine pull in front of the building. Travis himself stepped out of the car and greeted her as she walked down the stairs.

  “Hello, Brooke, you look wonderful today.”

  “Thank you, Travis.” You don’t look so bad yourself, she thought.

  “I thought we’d go to the Ravenswood for lunch if that’s all right with you.”

  “Is that another restaurant you own?” Brooke asked in a more disapproving tone than she intended.

  “Despite what you might think, I don’t own every restaurant in town.”

  “I’m sorry Travis, I didn’t mean to sound critical, the Ravenswood will be fine. I ate there once for dinner and it was very good.”

  I wonder who she was with? Why do I care about other men in her life, these feelings of jealousy aren’t like me?

  Brooke knew this wasn’t the first time Travis had been to the restaurant. Although he didn’t own it, everyone from the maître d to the busboy called him by name. Brooke had to remind herself that Travis is a billionaire and, of course, people are going to go out of their way to accommodate him.

  They were escorted to a table that appeared to be the best seat in the house. A wine bucket filled with ice and a bottle of the wonderful chardonnay was being chilled. The waiter picked up the bottle, wrapped it in a large white napkin and poured a small amount into Travis’s glass. Travis nodded his approval and the waiter turned toward Brooke.

  “None for me, thank you,” Brooke said covering her glass, “I have to work this afternoon.”

  Travis nodded to the waiter again and the wine and glasses disappeared, bucket and all.

  “Have you made any decisions about my offer?” Travis asked.

  “My boss, George Colby thinks I should accept. I suppose I should be glad you contacted him yourself; I admit I’m not used to all this attention and it makes me uncomfortable.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, Brooke, I never intended to intimidate you.”

  “I’ll get over it,” she smiled. “I would like to know what my duties will be.”

  “You will go with René Dubois to various locations as she approves the décor of every room in several hotels being constructed now. Do you have any objection to traveling? We are putting the last touches on properties in Monaco and Barcelona.”

  “You want me to go to Barcelona?”

  “Yes, and Monaco, is that a problem?”

  “Are you kidding? I can’t imagine what would be a problem about traveling to either of those places. I’ve never been out of the country and I don’t have a passport.”

  “That’s being taken care of as we speak. Is there anything else that is bothering you?”

  “Will you be going too?” she asked.

  Travis laughed. “No, I won’t be going, your virtue is still intact.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way.”

  “Yes, you did.”

  “Yes, I did,” Brooke laughed.

  Brooke found Travis to be easy to talk to. When she was with him she forgot his wealth, other than several billion dollars they had a lot in common. Travis told her about the latest shenanigans with his pampered mother.

  “She’s insisting the Hillsboro Philharmonic play at her little soiree. I tell her the room isn’t big enough for half the town that she’s invited and an orchestra too. I think she expects me to build an addition to accommodate them. She told me if they can’t come she will be forced to hire a barbershop quartet. There’s never a happy medium with that woman.”

  “So, are you hiring the Philharmonic?”

  “Probably. You’ll be in Hillsboro then; will you help me out by being my date?”

  “I don’t know, isn’t that mixing business and pleasure, after all, you’ll be my boss.”

  “Let’s say René is your boss and I’m just a friend.”

  “How can I turn down a friend? I’d love to go, I wonder what your mother will think of the girl who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks hanging on her son’s arm?”

  “She’ll think I’m a lucky dog, and she’ll be right,” he grinned.

  Brooke’s last few days at Colby, Lynch, and Sprague went quickly. The entire staff and Brooke’s friends met at the pub across from her apartment building to congratulate her and wish her well in her new job. Brooke was surprised to see Travis Kincaid waiting for her at the bar. He and Luke Sullivan were deep in conversation. Luke was smiling which made Brooke happy, she knew Luke was a good judge of character and she could tell the two men were getting along like friends. Molly was another story, Brooke doubted she would ever trust Travis and wondered if she should listen to her friend.

  “Brooke, I can’t believe you won’t be working for Colby, Lynch, and Sprague. Who’s going to keep me updated on all the gossip?”

  “Hey, Brad’s more of a gossip than I ever was.”

  “I’m happy for you, Brooke, this is a great opportunity and visiting Barcelona and Monaco will be a wonderful experience; I’m envious.”

  “I’m nervous, I don’t know what René Dubois is like, she may resent me tagging along. I won’t meet her until we board Travis’s company jet and then it will be too late to back out.”

  “Are you kidding, you can handle yourself with anyone. She’s going to love you, everyone does.”

  “I see Travis and Luke are getting along well.”

  “They’re talking football, I’m afraid I lost interest in the conversation. Travis is growing on me, that kiss he gave you the other n
ight was impressive.”

  “He hasn’t kissed me since then, maybe he didn’t like it as much as I did.”

  “Maybe he’s shy, although it doesn’t seem possible the town’s best-known flirt would have that problem.”

  “I thought you said he was growing on you.”

  “He is but that doesn’t mean I’ve changed my mind about the womanizer side of him.”

  “You’re impossible, Molly. By the way, is Carter Moss still making your life miserable?”

  “No, I think he realized I wasn’t the enemy and he stopped calling me every ten minutes to make sure I’m getting the job done. Mrs. Kincaid has told all her friends that I’m doing the flowers and business has picked up thanks to the country club set. I’m going to have to think about extra help, isn’t that great?”

  “Looks like both of us country bumpkins are making out well in the big city.”

  “Before you know it you will be famous internationally,” said Molly.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that but it’s a nice thought.”

  “That was fun,” said Luke when he and Molly got back to the apartment they shared. “I think Travis Kincaid is a nice guy, I know you have misgivings about his feelings for Brooke, but I think he really likes her. He kept watching her all evening.”

  “I don’t doubt he is attracted to her, who wouldn’t be she’s gorgeous. He has been with many beautiful women and he’s never settled down with anyone. I don’t want Brooke to be hurt.”

  “You can say that about Brooke too. She’s been with a lot of guys and never settled down either.”

  “I know it appears she’s had many men in her life but that doesn’t mean she’s slept with them.”

  “Do you know for certain that Travis has slept with every woman he is seen with?”

  “Okay, you win this one but if he hurts my friend, I’ll

  be mad at both of you.”

  “Why will you be mad at me?”

  “I don’t know, I’ll need someone to yell at and Travis’s bodyguards would never let me near him.”

  “Okay, you can yell at me if that happens but for now let’s not fight, we can find better things to do.”

  “I agree,” she said as they walked hand in hand to the bedroom.

  Travis walked Brooke to her apartment door.

  “Your friends are all very nice. Molly is still afraid I’m going to seduce you and break your heart.”

  “Are you, Travis?”

  “Am I what?” He looked at her in surprise.

  “Are you going to seduce me and break my heart?”

  “I’m not going to do either, I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than make love to you. I know you have reservations about me and I don’t want to rush you into something you aren’t ready for. A whole new world will be opening for you. You have a new job and will travel to exotic places where you will be treated like royalty. It can be overwhelming, and I don’t want to add to your discomfort, but I can’t resist kissing those lips.”

  Travis put his arms around her and drew her into another passionate kiss. Brooke responded in kind until Travis backed off somewhat saying he would see her when she returned from her trip.

  Again, he walked away from her and to his waiting limousine.

  Chapter Six

  The Kincaid limousine pulled into a remote parking area where the Kincaid jet was waiting on the tarmac. Brooke had to fight the urge to have Claude take her back to her apartment when she saw the large airplane. The only time she’d flown in an airplane was when her senior high school class traveled to Washington, D.C. That plane was half the size of the one standing before her.

  Claude sensed her hesitation and guided her to the stairs of the plane. A flight attendant greeted her with a wide grin showing off her sparkling teeth. As with most of Travis’s staff, she was very attractive.

  “Welcome aboard, Ms. Hartley, my name is Greta and I’m here to serve you today; allow me to guide you through the aircraft.”

  Brooke felt more like a country bumpkin than ever when she was led through the exquisite sitting area to the conference room and game room beyond. The rooms, separated by a translucent wall, had draperies to close them off for privacy. Greta opened the door to the massive lady’s lounge complete with a marble shower with gold faucets. Brooke tried to keep her mouth from falling open in awe.

  “It is quite beautiful, isn’t it, Ms. Hartley? Please have a seat I will be happy to serve you the beverage of your choice while we wait for take-off.”

  “Thank you, Greta, I don’t care for anything now. Maybe later when Ms. Dubois arrives.”

  Brooke sat on a lavish, leather chair beside the window. She felt her body being enveloped in softness and thought of the second-hand sofa in her apartment. She’d been delighted when she discovered the over-stuffed, comfortable piece in a thrift shop. My lovely find will never feel the same to me again.

  Brooke looked up and saw a tall, striking woman in her mid-fifties hand her fur coat to Greta. This had to be René Dubois. Her glamor and sophistication didn’t help Brooke’s insecurities.

  The woman sat down in the seat across from Brooke. “You must be Brooke, I’m René.” She held out her hand.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Dubois, I hope I won’t be a bother to you, I’m afraid I’m new to this.”

  “Nonsense, I like the company. Pardon me while I take my shoes off, my dogs are killing me.”

  Brooke tried to keep from smiling. “Ms. Dubois, I’m afraid I’m at a disadvantage, I think I’ll be all right in Barcelona with my high school Spanish, but I don’t know a word of French and will be at a loss in Monaco.”

  “Call me Rennie. I like it better than René. I don’t know why I agreed to that name in the first place. You won’t have much problem speaking English. Travis’s hotels cater to English speaking clientele. I’m sure you will pick up the important words like croissant and éclair,” Rennie laughed.

  Rennie pulled off her Salvatore Ferragamo silk scarf and unbuttoned her Stella McCartney cashmere sweater revealing a plain tee-shirt. Next came her fitted jeans showing a pair of cotton shorts. She slipped on a pair of flip-flops.

  “I feel better, it’s a long flight.”

  Greta appeared with a tall glass filled with orange slices and cherries and a mysterious liquid that Brooke couldn’t identify.

  “Thank you, Greta; Brooke do you want something to drink? Greta can make anything you want, it’s cocktail hour in Barcelona.”

  “I’ll just have water, Greta.”

  “Well, Ms. Brooke Harley, tell me about yourself. Travis has a very high opinion of your talent.”

  “I hope I don’t disappoint him. Working with someone like you is a tremendous opportunity for me.”

  “We all have to start somewhere, I was younger than you are when Francis Kincaid took a chance on me. He changed my name, bought me designer clothes, and introduced me to his millionaire friends. Before you jump to the wrong conclusion, we were never lovers. Not that I would have objected, I admit, I loved Francis. He once told me I was like the sister he never had. I guess that’s the reason I never married, no man could compare to Francis Kincaid.”

  “He changed your name from Rennie?”

  “Oh no, I use Rennie because a concierge at the hotel in Naples couldn’t pronounce René, it came out Rennie every time he said it. After a while, it stuck and most of the folks I deal with now call me Rennie. Francis would roll over in his grave if he knew. My real name is Suzie Banks, doesn’t sound much like a designer’s name, does it?”

  “Why not, it’s a nice name. Do you think I should change my name?”

  “No, Brooke Hartley has a lovely ring to it. You sound like a girl who grew up in a small town with a nice family and loads of friends.”

  “It is a small town and I have a great family. My folks and brothers still live there. I miss them, but I don’t ever want to go back to Wilton except to visit.”

  “I grew up on the streets of Chicag
o, my father left my mother alone with three kids when I was seven and never came back. Mom tried but she was overwhelmed. I was the oldest and never really had a childhood. Francis and I had similar backgrounds, maybe that’s why there was a bond between us.”

  “That’s sad, Rennie, or should I call you Suzie?”

  “No, Suzie reminds me of the past and I don’t like to think about it.”

  “Do you see your family?”

  “Not often, I used to send money home until my little sister told me my brother spent it on drugs. Cassie, she’s my sister, is married to a fireman, they have a couple of kids. She seems happy and I’m glad for her. My brother Denny is my father’s son. He still lives with Mom and Cassie says she puts up with his shenanigans because she doesn’t want him to leave like our father did.”

  Brooke liked the honesty of her mentor, she’d expected a flamboyant woman who was irritated with Brooke for tagging along. Instead, she admired the down-to-earth person sitting across from her in a tee-shirt, shorts and flip-flops dangling from her well-manicured toes.

  Brooke listened as Rennie talked about her experiences dealing with folks from the many countries where Kincaid Hotels were located. She had stories of her liaisons with men of all nationalities, Brooke suspected she left many broken hearts in her wake. Rennie wasn’t boasting, it was her nature to be open about her life and Brooke found it refreshing. The trip to Barcelona passed quickly.

  As the Kincaid airplane made its descent to their destination, Brooke was in awe of the Mediterranean Sea. The sun’s reflection on the water accentuated the blue of the sea. Brooke’s heart skipped a beat as the city of Barcelona came into view. This was a scene Rennie experienced regularly and she rarely glanced out the window on her trips to cities around the world. It was refreshing to see the excitement in her companion’s eyes. Rennie wondered when she herself lost the wonderment she saw in Brooke.

  While Brooke's nose was pressed against the window, Rennie thought of the ranch she'd purchased in Montana the week before. She was tired of the glitz and glamour she had experienced for over thirty years. Her thoughts drifted to the day she bought her home in the center of Hillsboro. Francis told her she was foolish to put her money into a one bedroom condominium instead of a large house where she could practice her decorating skills. She was happy she didn't listen to her boss. The place was decorated with pictures of horses grazing on the mountainside and snow covered hills. Elegance was absent in all rooms. She had a four-poster bed with an overstuffed mattress that she'd replaced three times in the last thirty years. The sofa and lounge chair needed replacement, yet Rennie still found comfort in them when she returned from one of her many trips to the Kincaid properties all over the world. This is not what is referred to as shabby chic, but I like my furniture just the way it is.