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He could see that Jessica hadn’t figured out what was wrong. The Shell had the right name, but he imagined it looked different than how she was used to seeing it. Jessica surveyed the crowd and her gaze stopped on him. For a moment, he thought she had recognized him, but then she kept scanning the crowd until she turned back to her friend. He couldn’t hear the words, but he could tell she was wondering what had happened. She took two steps and touched one of the pillars that had survived the hurricane and she took a deep breath. If Brian didn’t know any better, he would say he had seen her shoulders shake for a moment in grief.
As if nothing had happened, she stood up and pulled down her shirt to regain her composure. He didn’t go to them because he didn’t really think he needed them here to get the job done and if she couldn’t handle this moment, then she should just go home. Jessica Tingles leaving on her own would be a great boon for him. As far as Brian was concerned, it was a win-win situation. If Jessica would go home on her own, he had already talked to some guys who would get them back to the airport. Brian was sure he could get a the tour of the place and talk to the board members. How hard could it be to find the three richest guys in the town? It wasn’t as if he didn’t like Jessica, but he didn’t want anyone to think he couldn’t do this on his own.
There was a man talking about fishing. The man was called Retro. He kept telling the same fish story and his nickname made sense.
“I’m telling you; I was out there looking for some fish,” Retro said in a singsong voice that pulled you in. “I’d already been out on the water for three hours and I hadn’t gotten a thing. Thanks to Shorty over there.” Everyone looked behind Retro and saw a grey-haired head leaning on the table and the light sound of snoring coming from him. “Hint to all of you, the snores get louder when he’s leaning against the boat. So, there I was, hoping to find some tone-deaf fish when I saw a dolphin. It was making tracks. It was making straight for me. When it got there it came up for air and then went around the boat. I looked at it and thought it was lost until I noticed another movement. It was a shark!”
Retro leaned back and Brian watched as the audience around Retro leaned toward him.
The murmurings that Brian had heard were that Shorty and Retro were never apart. Brian wasn’t sure about the relationship, but it was one he would be looking into. The board members would probably never be apart or at the very least these two old guys could point him in the right direction.
“The shark tried to get to the dolphin, but the dolphin was quicker than the old man shark. I don’t know how long they went around and under the boat. I was so scared the shark would tip us; I started the boat to shore. After we moved closer to the shore, the shark just stayed at a certain point so he wouldn’t get beached. I gave some bait to the dolphin and then Shorty woke. Shorty woke up asking why we were so close and not docked. I tried to tell him what happened, but he didn’t believe me. When we docked, he looked on the side and saw teeth scrapings. He believed me then!”
Brian looked at the man who had enthralled everyone and smiled as he lifted his cola. Everyone laughed and nodded over the story. Brian wasn’t sure what there was to talk about, as Retro had been telling the same story over and over for the last two hours.
It was then that Jessica came over to the group and cleared her throat. She was right behind Brian, and he didn’t dare turn. He thought she and the Amazon had left, and he was glad that she hadn’t.
“Jessica is this even the right place?” the Amazon asked as she looked around at the place and the company. Brian could see them reflected in the mirror on the wall.
“Yes, I’m sure of it,” Jessica said as she took stock of the men. Then she addressed them all.
“This is the Shell correct?” the Amazon asked.
All of the men responded. “Yeah the Shell. What’s left of it anyway.”
Jessica looked around and took in the damage. He saw the softening of her expression and knew the sight of the Shell was a personal moment for her. He almost stood then but watching her stand a little taller and plaster a smile on her face stopped him.
“Well, it seems to be unanimous…” Jessica turned to the Amazon. “This is the Shell.”
“Not what we discussed,” the Amazon murmured. She put down the bags and then turned the full power of her smile on the men. “Well, gentlemen, I’m sure you can understand our surprise in seeing the current condition of the Shell. I’m Beth Wilson. This is my best friend Jessica Tingles.”
There was a snort from the group, and someone with a snarky voice said, “Tingles huh?”
Jessica turned toward the man who mocked her last name. “Yes, I know how funny a name can be. Besides, this isn’t my first time here. You see, this is the Shell and it’s owned by Butler Hotels. In case it escapes you all what that means, let me clarify. You are trespassing by being here. I will be here for two weeks to address business and this establishment, as well. Some of your faces I know and a couple I don’t. However, you can ask those who know me, I’m focused on my job, and I will be out of your hair as soon as possible.”
The silence was palatable. Then a man spoke up.
“The Shell belongs to the elders. It’s been that way for as long as I’ve been here. I’ve been here ten years now. I’m Sean Cross.”
He watched Jessica look around the room and then her gaze settled on him. Her eyes widened for a moment, and she gave him a small imperceptible nod.
He admired her discretion. Brian also wanted to know why she didn’t out him in the room.
The Amazon clapped her hands and stopped the little conversations that were happening amongst the men. All of the men looked up and Jessica waved her three fingers.
“I’m sure I can help you all understand the current situation. You see, there are some Hotel Butler employees here in Peace. I’m not here to out those employees but I will need some help to get this task done this year.”
Retro stood up. “She’s right.”
Brian looked at Retro and then at Jessica, whose smile had widened.
“I have to tell you that I didn’t think you’d be coming this year. The storm hit and we couldn’t get in contact with Middleton,” Retro said.
“Middleton had a life change and found a nice woman in Hawaii,” Jessica said. The Amazon snorted next to her and some of the other patrons also laughed.
“Well, let’s get you to the hotel,” Retro said.
Jessica shook her head. “We really can’t do that.”
