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“It is. Especially for me since you’re paying my way. It’s good to be the assistant sometimes.” Jonas grinned as he looked around their accommodations. “Can you believe that we get to stay in this place? The bedrooms alone are bigger than our entire apartment when we first moved in together. Hell, the bedrooms have his and her bathrooms for fuck’s sake. And a damn backyard with a pool, hot tub and putting green?”
“Don’t forget the fountain out there. Did you see the huge shower in the men’s bathrooms? It’s as big as a normal bathroom. Incredible really.” Stieg shook his head. “It would be unbelievable if we weren’t staying here to see it for ourselves.”
“What good is it being rich and famous if you can’t get the very best?” Jonas grabbed another soft drink.
“The studio is paying for this, not me. But honestly? I’ve been miserable without Lisbeth. No amount of money has made it better.”
Jonas rolled his eyes and groaned. “God, I hope she’s here. I can’t take your whining anymore.”
“Asshole.” But Stieg grinned as he stood to push the empty food cart to the hallway.
*****
Tel and Lisbeth gaped at the long and wide hallway. The floors were marble tile with oriental rugs, and high wooden tables were placed every so often with large vases of fresh flowers. Between the tables were full-size couches. The paintings on the walls above the couches were huge.
Lisbeth looked around, clearing her throat at the opulence. “This is the swankiest place I’ve ever seen. I mean, wow. Can you imagine what the rooms look like if the hallway is this decadent?”
Tel tsked as she craned her head to look at the hallway they’d just walked down. “We should’ve had a clue when we were met at the airport with a stretch limo. I thought it was because of Dr. Kensington, but I read that is an amenity of the rooms we’re in. So is the private entrance to the hotel. I’m not used to this treatment. Although, I could get used to it quickly.” Tel looked around, admiring the paintings and marble statues.
At the end of the hall, a young man sat behind a desk. He looked up as they approached. “Hello, my name is Jarred, and I’m the on-duty butler. I’ll show you to your villa.” He stood as he took their identification and searched his tablet for their rooms. He smiled as he looked behind the women. “I see your baggage has arrived. You’re staying in villa two. Right, this way.”
“What do you mean the on-duty butler?” Lisbeth thought this place was ritzy before, but now she thought she hadn’t scratched the surface.
“This hotel has set aside this section of accommodations for those used to privacy and elegance. For many who stay here, they require the amenity of butler service twenty-four hours a day. If you need anything, just pick up any phone in your rooms, and it will ring the desk.” Lisbeth looked around as they turned down another long hallway. She passed a food cart in the hallway and then stopped at the door just down and across the hall.
“Ah, here we are, villa two.” Jarred scanned a plastic keycard to unlock the door. Lisbeth gasped when the door opened to a circular entryway with a gorgeous crystal chandelier under a domed ceiling of stained glass. Tables sat all around the large foyer with baskets containing various sundries and fresh fruit. One table had a basket that held several square bottles of expensive bottled water. A tray of fresh macaroons was also sitting on a table. Under the chandelier sat a round wooden table with a crystal vase full of fresh flowers.
“Straight ahead is the formal living room with a fireplace and desk equipped for computer setup. To your right, down this hallway, is a half-bath and the door at the end of the hall is one of the bedroom suites.”
Tel moved down the hall and opened the door. Her whistle made Lisbeth smile. Jarred grinned as well and gave her a small wink.
“This way is the media room and farther down the hall is the second bedroom suite. Come this way.” He led them through the media room to a set of tall French doors. Pushing them open it led to an enclosed yard. “To the left is the pool that surrounds the hot tub and to the right is the putting green. The telephone on the covered table will also ring the butler desk.”
“Holy Mother. People really stay in these places?” Tel was shaking her head. Jarred just smiled as he turned to point at the ten-foot-tall, light tan concrete walls that surrounded the area, adorned with ivy and statues of gargoyles. Palm trees were planted on the opposite side of the wall, their green fronds visible. A fountain with water coming out the mouth of a lion’s head was in the middle of the back wall.
“Also, don’t be alarmed at night when you hear lions and tigers. They are housed not too far from here for the nightly show put on here. You’re perfectly safe. Now, come back inside, and I’ll show you how to run the misters, turn on the sound for music to be piped outside and the controls for the hot tub and fountain.” After he pointed out the control panel on the wall in the media room, he indicated the bar that she hadn’t seen before.
“There’s a small refrigerator behind the bar and a small sink as well. The bar isn’t stocked but you can contact us, and we’ll bring you whatever you need.”
“Um,” Lisbeth was still in shock at the extravagance of the rooms, “I think Dr. Lackney and I will be fine.”
“Great. On one of the tables at the entrance, you’ll find vouchers for free breakfast at our twenty-four-hour buffet. Please retain your keycards. They will allow entry to this private area of the Villas. Also it’s the only way you can access the secret doorway from the casino area. We do have security stationed in each hallway in case someone who isn’t allowed access enters the area, so make sure your keycard is available or you might be held until proof of your right to be here is established. Your keycard gets you into special areas of the hotel such as the pool areas. Our records indicate that your room is paid for by KenSpec Labs, even gratuities are taken care of, so you won’t need to pay for anything, even tipping for room service.”
Tel looked around the posh space and zeroed her gaze in on Lisbeth. She handed her a lanyard with a plastic case. Tel slid her own around her neck and put the keycard in the clear case. “Well, my dear, if things go as planned for you, I suspect you’ll be spending more time in these rooms than I will.” She smiled. “At least I would if I were in your posit
ion. Text me if you need the rooms for privacy. Oh, and Jarred, how soundproof are these rooms?”
Totally nonplused Jared smiled. “Very.”
“Good, good. Then I won’t worry about disturbing you, Lisbeth.” She turned and walked down the hallway to the first bedroom suite she had inspected. “I’m calling dibs on this one, dear. I’m sure I won’t be using the pool. Since your room leads to the pool, I’ll leave that room for you!” The bedroom door shut and Lisbeth looked to the butler.
He nodded as he walked himself to the entryway. “Your luggage has been delivered. Do you require help to get it to your bedroom suite?”
Lisbeth gave a humorless chuckle. She looked at the bags remaining on the cart. Dr. Lackney must have already grabbed hers. “No, I have two bags, so I think I’m good, but thank you. Maybe you can answer me something though. What time does the question and answer session start tomorrow for the Saturday Moon movie?” He looked at his electronic tablet and typed on the screen. Lisbeth’s heart was beating so hard she thought the butler could hear it. She was hopefully going to see Stieg tomorrow.
“That begins at eleven. The movie trailer will be shown first, and then the cast will come to the stage. Do you have tickets for that specific event? The keycard will get you into the convention, but I believe you need to have purchased tickets for the Q and A and the meet and greet luncheon afterward.”
“Yes, my boss Dr. Kensington has our tickets. Oh um, he’s staying in the penthouse suite. Is there a way to leave him a message? I don’t want to disturb them, I mean him.”
