Luck Be a Lady (Tahoe Tessie Mysteries) Read Free Page B

being alone for ten whole days.
    But it was either abandon them, or my father's casino, his vision, his baby, and the hundreds of people who relied on it for their families.
    "Fine," I said on a deep exhale. "Ten days. But that's it. I'm out as soon as the board meets."
    Stintner visibly relaxed, the tension draining from his shoulders. Alfie was still expressionless.
    "So, what do I have to do?" I asked them.
    "Nothing," Alfie quickly cut in. "I'll run the day-to-day. You're just a figurehead. Like the queen. Just sit there and look official." He stood up, buttoning the top button on his blazer as he continued. "The board will convene on the ninth. Just try to stay out of trouble until then."
    I couldn't help my eyes rolling back in my head. Seriously, it wasn't like I was that fifteen year-old trying to sneak up to the slots anymore.
    But before I could clue Alfie in, he turned on his wingtips and marched out of the conference room, heading toward the elevators.
    Fine. I could do figurehead. Just ten days, then I could go back to my real life and leave the Royal Palace in the world of memories where it belonged. Alfie's delivery might have been abrasive, but I planned to do exactly as he suggested. Stay out of trouble and ride out the ten days until I could go home.
    To that aim, I knew the perfect place to start—the casino's spa.
     
    *  * *
     
    I rode the elevators back down to my room and dialed down to the Princess Day Spa. I'd just gotten off the phone, confirming that they had an opening for a massage and pedi that afternoon, when a knock sounded at my door.
    I peeked through the peephole, not able to disguise the groan that slipped from my lips when I saw Britton's bleached-blonde self staring back at me.
    I briefly thought about not answering, but even as I entertained that thought, my cell buzzed to life on the nightstand, Britton's name coming up on the caller ID. I could run, but chances were I couldn't hide from her for ten whole days.
    Reluctantly, I opened the door to find her tapping one designer heel against the carpet, pink cell in hand.
    "Oh. Hey, I was just calling you. I thought maybe you were out."
    "Nope," I answered. "Right here. What can I do for you, Britton?"
    Which she took as an invitation to come in, flopping herself down on my double bed. "I need your help," she sighed. "We have an issue with one of the VIP guests."
    I frowned. " My help?"
    "Yeah. Ellie said you're in charge now?"
    "Who's Ellie?"
    "Penthouse housekeeping. She heard it from Buckie, the valet, who heard it from Tate at the front desk, who overheard Alfie telling Dave in security to keep an eye on you in the surveillance booth."
    Mental face palm. I looked up at the ceiling, half expecting Alfie to have wired my room with cameras, too.  
    "So, it's true, right?" Britton pressed. "Ellie almost never gets a rumor wrong. Dickie left you in charge?"
    I paused before answering, suddenly wondering what my father had left Britton in his will. The lifestyle she'd enjoyed had come with the position of chairman's wife. Once the board appointed a new one, would Britton be ousted?
    Suddenly I sort of felt sorry for Britton. But if she was worried, it didn't show in her heavily-lined eyes, wide in anticipation of my answer.
    "Sort of," I mumbled. "Only technically."
    But that was good enough for Britton. "Fab. So, here are the deets:  one of the guests just called to the front desk saying stuff was missing from his room. You need to go check it out."
    "Isn't this the kind of thing we have security for?" I protested.
    Britton nodded. "Yes, but the guests like a personal touch. Dickie always did that stuff himself. He said it smoothed feathers and loosened wallets faster."
    I'll bet.
    I glanced at the clock. I had two hours before my scheduled massage. "Okay, fine. I guess I could go try to smooth some feathers."
    "Cool! Let's go," Britton said, popping up off my bed.
    "Did you always come with my dad?" I asked as she led the way down the