Chapter 8 - THE DOOR UPSTAIRS
Victor looked past Maya toward the crowd.
“You’re upsetting our guests.”
“Then bring Lena downstairs.”
“She’s an employee having a disciplinary meeting.”
“About witnessing a crime?”
His jaw tightened.
Elise spoke quietly.
“Adrian has called local police. Let’s make sure nobody complicates this further.”
For the first time that evening, Victor looked uncertain.
Maya didn’t wait for him to recover.
She headed toward the stairs.
Daniel followed.
On the second floor, the music disappeared behind thick carpet and closed doors.
They found Lena in an office overlooking the pool.
A woman from human resources sat behind a desk.
Cal’s assistant stood near the door.
Lena held a pen so tightly her fingers had gone white.
Maya stepped inside.
“What is she signing?”
The woman covered the paper.
“An internal document.”
Lena looked up.
“They said Mom’s medical payments would stop.”
Daniel moved beside Maya.
“Let me see it.”
The woman hesitated.
“Daniel, this is above your—”
“I’m operations director. Let me see it.”
He took the page.
Maya read over his shoulder.
It was a statement claiming Lena had fabricated allegations against the resort after Maya promised to pay her.
Below it sat a resignation form.
Maya looked at the young woman.
“Did you sign?”
Lena shook her head.
“Then put the pen down.”
Cal’s assistant blocked the doorway.
“She’s not finished.”
Daniel faced him.
“Move.”
“You want to lose your job?”
Daniel’s voice broke, but he held his ground.
“I think I already did.”
For one long second, nobody moved.
Then Elise appeared in the hallway, phone raised.
“I’m on with counsel. Officers are at the front entrance.”
The man stepped aside.
Downstairs, two officers separated the people involved in the cash accusation and began taking statements. Nobody was handcuffed. Nobody made speeches.
It was slower and messier than Maya wanted.
It was also real.
She gave her name, explained what she had seen, and provided Adrian’s contact information.
Lena called her brother.
Only after he arrived did Maya return to the helipad.
Daniel followed her outside.
“I need to tell you something else.”
“Tell Adrian.”
“No. You first.”
The wind pushed at his jacket.
“The loan forms aren’t the whole thing.”
“What else?”
He looked back toward the resort.
“Your mother’s signature is on the property file.”
Maya stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“I thought so too.”
He swallowed.
“According to those records, she sold Victor something valuable.”
May you like
“What?”
“The land under this hotel.”
