The CEO Gets Her Man (18 page)

Too comfortable. Jase squirmed, stepping away from George in case his face showed his reaction to Debra’s compatibility with the men he needed to impress. His desire to keep her to himself had fought a desperate battle with his need to cultivate the possible business these men could create for the hotel.

“She was fine.” Fine? He turned a sour laugh into a spluttering cough. How about amazing?

In the space of twenty-four hours Jase had seen so many facets of Debra’s personality it made him even more confused as to who she was. His fists tightened.

She was hiding something. He’d gained the impression she hid something specifically from him. It bugged the hell out of him that she’d evaded all his questions. One thing he did know, though. She was no waitress.

Dragging his mind away from how soft she’d felt in his arms last night, he plonked himself down behind his desk, slumped into his seat, and spun it around so he faced the window. He didn’t notice George leaving until the door clicked shut.

Threading his fingers through his hair, he swore. Everything piled in on him. Forget Debra’s impact.
That’s what I have to do...
hell he couldn’t even think straight when she was around. And when she wasn’t, her touch and smell still invaded his mind. The frustration of having her avoid him yesterday, instead of...

Erupting from his chair, it slammed backward into his desk. Tomorrow’s another day. Time enough then to decide what he would do about Debra. Fire her, to begin with. Then take her back in his arms...

Bloody hell. He had to concentrate of his job right now. He needed to impress these Japanese guys, to drum up new business, to fix the Philippe problem, to fix the Madeline problem. He thumped his desk.

Madeline was due back in a couple of days. Perhaps if he prayed hard enough, some disaster might hit Head Office?

He shook his head. No outside force was about to solve his problem. It was up to him.

His knuckles whitened. A tight rein and sage advice from his parents early in his rugby career might mean he was now financially secure, but this job meant more than the salary he earned.

He’d chosen to study tourism, and specialised in hotel management because it was full of change. Dealing with the huge variety of people and problems, the uncertainty of what might happen each day was what got him out of bed each morning.

Fingers slashed through his hair again. He couldn’t quit Riversleigh. His family needed him nearby for emotional support. No flash of genius occurred. He swore as he turned to pace the floor. While he had to consider the possibility of resigning, he’d be damned if he’d let Madeline Murphy win without a fight.

While he’d managed to placate Philippe, the chef was biding his time until the manager returned. Hell, the whole staff was biding their time and waiting for the expected fireworks.

He still had at least two days. He could come up with a plan—

His heart gave an almighty thump as his door burst open. Only Madeline dared...he swung around, his chest tightening. A tornado in the shape of Madeline’s PA burst into intense, incoherent babble while waving a piece of paper under Jase’s nose.

“Calm down, Claire. What’s the matter?” Jase grabbed her arms and gave her a sharp little shake that stopped the babble and rendered her speechless instead. Jase pressed her into a chair and took the paper she continued to wave.

Some words of the email bounced out and hit him.

The bitch!

With unsteady legs he slumped onto the edge of his desk. With a deep breath he slowly and carefully read the dictum from Head Office. It came from as high as possible, Debra Laurie.

Madeline! That bloody bitch! She’d gone up to Wellington and somehow got into the ear of Debra Laurie and convinced her to order the auditing of Riversleigh.

Riversleigh didn’t need auditing. It needed a mutiny.

Jase fumed. Wait...if Debra Laurie had ordered this investigation, had Madeline said something out of line while she was at Head Office? Was this being done behind her back on purpose? Were they holding her in Wellington on some pretext while they scrutinized Riversleigh?

Yet again, had she asked for their help, implicating some wrongdoing? Jase leapt from his perch. If she’d suggested misbehaviour, he knew whom she’d have put in the line of fire. Madeline’s return now meant more pressure than he could ever have anticipated.

For a moment, intense anger stormed through his body, blinding him. His heart pumped rage to every pore as he grabbed the phone. He had to find Madeline Murphy and demand answers. Wound tighter than a spring he punched the numbers in the email’s signature block.

With difficulty he kept his voice even as he introduced himself to the woman on the other end, Debra Laurie’s personal assistant.

“This audit? Ms. Murphy gave no indication she would be instigating an audit. I would like to consult with her—”

“Ms. Laurie ordered the audit, Mr. McEwan, not Madeline Murphy.”

Jase felt his mouth drop open, just for a second before he controlled it. “If I had some idea of—”

“I believe there has been discussion about findings reported by Peter Robinson which Ms. Laurie had concerns about.”

Jase interjected. “If I could speak to Ms. Laurie, perhaps I could alleviate the need—”

“Ms. Laurie is out of the office at present. The auditing staff has the matter well in hand. I suggest you continue to give them every assistance. Goodbye Mr. McEwan.”

Jase was left with beeping in his ear—and a very clear threat. The phone still clasped in his hand he looked from the email to the very nervous figure of his boss’s PA. He hoped his voice sounded normal. “This came in yesterday morning?”

“It all happened so fast. They’ve taken the computers and the filing cabinet from my office—”

“What?” Jase almost shouted.

“They’ve been in the small conference room since ten o’clock yesterday.” As preoccupied as he was, Jase noticed Claire’s panicky movements. “The room is locked up tight when they’re not there.”

Jase took an agitated turn across his office, warning bells clanging. How did Claire know this? Had she tried to access the conference room? Why? He scowled at the woman. Her attitude didn’t mirror the anger he felt at Head Office’s devious method—but something else.

Confusion spun inside Jase’s head. He needed time to contemplate all he’d just learned. Then he’d tear George strip by strip for not contacting him yesterday.

“Miss Laurie’s PA said we’re to provide every support,” Jase murmured, observing how Claire’s shoulders slumped. Had she expected Jase to stop the audit? “Continue to help in any way you can, Claire.”

He ushered her unwilling body out and leaned against the closed door.
So this audit isn’t Madeline’s idea.
He smiled grimly. Did she even know about it? Surely she would have rushed back to her desk had she been aware all their accounts and decisions were about to be picked over by a bunch of vultures?

He knew no hotel of his would be subjected to such scrutiny without him being there to oversee the procedure. But then his and Madeline’s ideas on how they ran their operations varied. She often kept vital information to herself, but would then interfere with menial operations.

He’d barely spoken to Peter Robinson when he’d inspected the hotel. Instead of summoning Jase to assist, Madeline had kept the Head Office man to herself. Jase’s grim smile widened. Madeline had appeared almightily pleased with the result of the inspection.

What had happened? Why had Head Office ordered a snap review? Jase’s gaze flew heavenward but before he could send up a wishful prayer he forced his feet toward the door. With Madeline away this was his hotel, and someone was about to explain why it was being inspected without his knowledge.

Jerking the door open he found Karin Laurie in his path, her hand raised to knock. She stepped past him and repositioned a chair close to his desk.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Laurie, I don’t have time...” He cringed. Not the wisest thing to say to the hotel’s part owner, especially in light of what he’d just learned.

The possibility struck Jase that she could be behind this audit. She’d been staying with them for some days. Had she found something untoward and reported her concerns? Unwinding his clenched fists he disguised his anger.

“You have all the time in the world, Jason.”

A huge hand grabbed Jase’s heart and squeezed. He’d been right. This witch-hunt was directed at him, and the outcome had already been decided. The seething anger he’d held in check bubbled over.

“Is that what this audit is all about? To get rid of me?” He took a step closer to Karin and glared. “Well, I’ll save you the time and trouble. I resign.” He made for the door again. “Claire will have my resignation in your hand in five minutes. Effective immediately.”

“Why on earth would we accept your resignation?” Karin’s shocked voice halted his journey out the door.

He swung around and glared at the woman holding his future in her hands.

“Of course, if you’re intent on leaving I expect there’s very little I can do to dissuade you, but we will insist on three month’s notice. You won’t be an easy man to replace.” Karin stood and walked past him again, clicking her tongue as she did. “Such a shame,” she muttered to herself.

Always able to think on his feet, Jase reassessed the situation. Had working with Madeline tainted his thinking? Had he become paranoid? He had two choices, and less than ten seconds.

He cleared his throat and called down the corridor. “Was there something I can do for you, Mrs. Laurie?”

Jase squirmed under the woman’s long regard when she turned to face him. He forced his shoulders straight to keep his shirt from sticking to his back. His hand rose to rub the ever-present ache but he dropped it. Karin Laurie might hold all the cards but he refused to show any weakness.

“Let’s sit and chat, shall we?”

“Mrs. Laurie, this is my hotel—”

“No, that’s where you’re wrong, young man. This is
my
hotel and I’m about to find out what’s going on here.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I’m well aware of that fact, Jason. Now sit down, please. We only have a short time before your lunch meeting with your guests.”

Flummoxed, Jase sank into his chair as Karin flipped open the manila folder.

“Now tell me your ideas for attracting these Japanese gentlemen back to Riversleigh. What are your plans for this afternoon?”

“I’ll be finding out what the hell is going on in our small conference room, that’s what I’ll be doing this afternoon.”

Karin shook her head. “Oh no, everything is moving along quite smoothly there. You’re not needed.” She glared down his attempt to argue. “But you are required to attract new business. Now, what entertainment do you think for these men? A round of golf followed by a relaxing massage and a sauna or steam room? Chatting in an informal setting is so much more productive than boring old business meetings, don’t you agree?”

Jase caught on. “And I’m to accompany them throughout the day, have I got that right?”

“Exactly.” Karin patted Jase’s hand. “You’re a smart boy. Now tell me how receptive they appeared to be.”

Jase could do little but report his gut feeling that he had sparked an interest. Karin queried certain aspects of his promotion and appeared happy with the possible result.

Finally she rose. “Walk me down to the dining room. You can introduce me to your guests.”

Jase had little choice but to offer his arm. “Perhaps you’d like to join us for lunch.”

She wasn’t going to allow him to interfere with the auditing process. But he could be just as wily. “One of our staff will be joining us, she’s fluent in Japanese, but I’m sure our guests will welcome another beautiful woman to share their meal.”

“Why, thank you, dear boy.” She patted his arm. “You’re quite the gentleman.”

The look they shared spoke volumes. He was astonished that she appeared to appreciate his concern and then dismiss it as groundless.

Jase couldn’t help smiling. “When am I going to be allowed to know what’s going on here?”

“All in good time, Jason.” She slipped a little smile his way as they entered the dining room. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the fireworks start tonight or, at the latest, first thing in the morning. Why don’t you keep a free diary tomorrow morning, just in case.”

Closing in on where his guests were already seated with Debra, Jase had no chance to reply. Instead he was forced to introduce Karin and pretend the resort wasn’t spiralling out of his control.

Chapter Ten

Debra needn’t have worried some of her co-workers would complain her name was absent from the duty roster for the evening. Besides a casual enquiry about her trip to Queenstown from Cathy, and a more earnest query about her well-being from Meg when she slipped into an empty seat in the staff room, no-one else seemed to notice her.

The room was abuzz. While they had no idea of the purpose of the activity in the small conference room, speculation was rife. Animated beyond anything she’d seen, the staff shared various theories, the noise level rising.

Remembering Cathy’s prior reluctance to even whisper criticism about the general manager, there was no such restraint now. Along with the conjecture of what had caused Head Office to descend en-masse were numerous expressions of hope for “Mercury’s demise.” Laughter often filled the room as yet another option for that demise was voiced.