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“This deal could be a really big thing and needs some additional players,” he explained. “Even if they have a habit of showing up late to meetings.”
“I see,” Regan replied, looking toward the door for Anita and Wendy. “So, who is it we are waiting for?”
A ghoulish grin spread over Jimmy’s face as he looked at Regan.
“Let me ask you something first,” Jimmy urged. “Just between you and me, guy to guy. If you were seeking financial advice to triple the worth of your portfolio, would you instinctively go to a man or a woman?”
Regan couldn’t give a damn about the gender of a financial advisor, especially a good one, but he knew the answer Jimmy wanted, and was ready to act like the perfect target.
“Guy to guy?” Regan asked, pretending to be insecure. Jimmy readily nodded back to him.
“Just between us,” he assured.
“A man,” Regan stated as if he felt guilty for his answer. “No disrespect to the opposite sex, but I would go with a man’s advice.”
“Exactly,” Jimmy agreed, slapping Regan’s knee as he grew more excited. “I’m the same way. I’ve never taken advice from a woman, and I’m better for it.” He paused, building effect.
This guy’s good,Regan thought.
“But, once in a lifetime, there comes along the exception to the rule,” Jimmy continued, his voice taking on a mystified tone. “And friend, that exception is Mrs. Anita Holstead. I swear, she has made me the man I am today and her earnings just keep skyrocketing. She started as a single business owner and now owns stakes in hotels in Denver, Aspen, Lake Tahoe, and several other resort-heavy businesses. And! She practically owns this entire town!”
“She sounds like quite an impressive woman,” Regan replied, knowing just what to say to keep Jimmy talking.
“She is,” Jimmy praised, “and she wants to share her success with others for her next venture. Anita has her sights set onThe Mystic Refugebecause it’s the last hotel in Leavenworth that isn’t owned by her company.”
“Yes, Frieda told me that,” Regan interjected truthfully. He shook his head as he frowned, feigning a moment of heartbroken weakness. Jimmy played into it quickly, putting a hand on Regan’s back to comfort him.
“And won’t this be a great way to get back at her?” Jimmy asked. “On top of making a pile of money, you’ll also be getting back at the woman who broke your heart. How could there be a sweeter deal than that?”
“It does sound pretty great,” Regan agreed, his stomach churning sickly. He hated guys like Jimmy, but they were so easy to play.
“But that’s what caused us to break up,” he continued. “All these strange things have been happening at her and her sisters' hotel. I told her it wasn’t worth the aggravation and that they should just sell it and retire. I mean, they’re in their forties! Why would they want to run a hotel with what years they have left? Then she called me a chauvinist and broke up with me. So I don’t think they’ll be selling, even if it is what’s good for them.”
“Women.” Jimmy sighed emphatically, shaking his head. “So few know what they’re doing. That’s why they need a little help from time to time.”
Regan felt a stir of excitement, feeling close to Jimmy’s first admission.
“What do you mean?” he asked, making sure to sound intrigued.
Jimmy finally looked back at him, an evil grin forming on his face.
“Just little hints to remind them how they’re out of their depth.”
Regan studied Jimmy’s eyes, and watched as a sick pleasure seemed to unfold behind them. This man was twisted and highly egotistic. He had the markings of someone with extreme mental health issues. This was about more than just money for him. Taking away the hotel from the Strauss sisters was personal.
The door to the elevator dinged as it opened, and Regan watched Jimmy’s evil expression shift into a pleasant and eager smile.
“That’s Mrs. Holstead,” he explained, slapping Regan’s knee. “Come on, let’s get this started.”
* * *
“Oh my God, I think I’m going to be sick,” Wendy warned, her hands going to her head. Regan looked over at her sympathetically from the driver’s seat, and pulled out a box of tissues from the compartment between the two front seats of his truck.
“You did great,” Regan assured her, handing her the box. “You didn’t break character once.”
Wendy took a tissue and dabbed at her warm forehead, then her lips, her free hand going to her stomach.
“They were so proud of their plan,” she said in a dazed voice. “Of how much money it was going to make them. Of how muchjoyit was going to bring them. This is awful.”
