Billy left the resort boutique with her purchases and headed back to her room in the convention center. Being the manager's daughter gave her many perks and one was being able to shop outside of regular hours. Rose, the women's boutique manager, was more than pleased to serve Billy before opening; her money was always cash on the barrel.

Billy regretted her behaviour with Miller in the restaurant but for some reason having him think that way had inordinately upset her. Why she cared was even more annoying; she barely knew the guy. If he came to the party he would be even more disturbed when he saw her in action and she would be more upset. Something about him had burrowed into her subconscious and she found his face intruding at inconvenient times. The feelings bothered her and she made a huge effort to brush them off.

Two couples following an attractive blonde all chattered noisily as they passed her and she was unable to hear what they were saying but she was left with the impression that it was some kind of tour. Windy Palms did a big convention business and lots of guests took advantage to combine that business with the extraordinary pleasures the resort offered.

Hector Prince, the deputy security chief suddenly appeared from behind a pillar, greeting Billy with a smug leer, which he reserved for those he viewed with envious contempt. His trademark cigarillo bobbed comically between his lips.

"Buenos dias, Hector." Billy didn't slow or offer any more opportunity for conversation but as she turned onto the walkway to the convention center she looked back to see him watching her, his smirk firmly in place.

"Creepy bugger," she said, as she entered the center and crossed the wide room to the office she was using as accommodation.

********

The tour group split up at nine and Shelia found a chair in an alcove to use while she updated her notes. One couple was no problem, the Hubbards, they seemed more than happy to be receiving a dividend sooner than later. It was Glenda Weiss and her friend Gary Ordman that gave her some concern. A shadow fell across the glass top and when she looked up she saw the young man she'd just been musing about.

"Hi, is there something you wanted to ask?"

Gary sat without invitation and leaned his forearms on the table. "Yeah, I'd like to know just where the money from my investment went. I hear your spiel and I understand about the need for registration but the money must have been invested while waiting and I think I should be getting some return."

Shelia closed her notebook and took a long breath. This was bound to happen with someone at some time and she was pleased to think she and Winston had created a story for just such a moment. "Mister . . . ?"

"Ordman. Gary Ordman. I came in about three months ago when that Graves guy was at the Houseman Foundation dinner."

"Right. You and uhm . . ." Shelia tapped her nails on the table, "Miss Weiss, I believe."

"Right. And we're not all that happy with the way things are playing out. The reports we're receiving from other timeshare resorts don't jibe with the line you're feeding us on these tours."

Shelia held up a hand and showed him her most concerned but charming face. "I assure you, Mister Ordman the only difference is timing. Many resorts down here and actually all over the Caribbean have gone through exactly the same delays and . . . you must remember, some are much older than ours and others were originally built as timeshares. Also, by the time the reports are compiled and sent out to investors there is a gap of several weeks. When you are here on site the information is current."

She smiled a winning smile. "I felt the hesitancy with the Hubbard couple as well but I assure you there is nothing to be concerned about. As I mentioned to them the corporation is at this moment preparing the first round of investment dividend cheques. By the time you get back home it will probably be waiting. I guess you missed that on the tour." Shelia showed him a set of perfect teeth and the enthusiastic blink of her brilliant mauve eyes.

Gary hung onto them for a moment and then asked. "I guess I did. Any idea of the amount?"

"I don't have the investment information, I'm strictly a property specialist."

"What do you know about this Graves guy? I mean you work for him, obviously, so what's your take? Is he solid? He just seemed so- so . . . smooth at the dinner."

This was unexpected. It was one thing to defend an imaginary corporation but quite another to protect her on site partner from suspicion. She looked down at her hands and did a lip chew for effect. "I believe Mister Graves is a fine businessman and I am proud to be associated with him in this venture."

Gary snorted and sat back. "A cop-out line if I ever heard one. C'mon, you've got more than that."

"Mister Ordman . . . Gary . . . may I call you Gary?" She went on without waiting. "I don't know what you think you suspect or if you think you have any proof of mischief, I can only say that Mister Graves has put a lot of his own time and money into developing this opportunity and deserves a little more respect." She closed her notebook and slipped her pen into the spine. She wrung her hands and delivered an Oscar worthy expression of concern.

"I'm not saying I have any proof of anything, I just get a feeling this is somehow . . . odd."

Shelia stood and smoothed her skirt. "Gary, why don't you wait until you get home, see the amount of the dividend and if you are not satisfied, you have my card and my number, I promise I will be available to discuss any further concerns. What I can tell you is that to be in on the ground floor of Windy Palms is going to be a huge financial advantage in the next few years."

He shrugged and picked at some lint on the table. "Okay then." He stood and blocked her exit from around the table. "You understand my concerns?"

"I do and I promise you have no need to worry."

"Right. So uh- can I buy you a make-up drink?"

"Make-up for what?" She recognized his next tactic and ran over the pros and cons of accepting.

"For being a pain in the ass."

"Oh I don't think you were-"

"It would really help to convince me of your sincerity." The statement hung between them and Shelia saw the unspoken intent.

"I guess I could take time for a coffee, it's a little early for drinking." She flashed her eyes and stepped around him.

"Is there anything else you'd care to do?"

"Sorry?"

"Drinking isn't the only way to pass the time." His voice had lowered and she heard the gravel sound of growing lust as he moved toward her.

"Gary . . . on second thought I think that you should just wait and see if that cheque I mentioned salves this uncertainty you have. If not, then I think you should address your concerns directly to Mister Graves."

He stepped back, lifting his chin and framing a mild arrogant smirk. "I find discussing them with you far more appealing."

Shelia carefully considered her next move. Was his relationship with Glenda Weiss more than platonic? If it was this could give her a lever over Mister Gary Ordman. If not, it would be the second time this morning she'd sold herself for greed.

"You uh- you and Miss Weiss are partners in this are you?"

He squinted at her. "Sort of. Why?"

"Quite frankly, Gary . . . I find discussing this with you equally pleasant." She hunched slightly and gave him a timid smile. "But I don't think it would be good for either of us to- to uhm- I wouldn't want anything to- you know, with Miss Weiss."

He brightened slightly and came forward with a contemplative gleam in his eye. "Nothing to worry about there." He reached across and confidently took her hand. "Anywhere special in mind?"

Shelia forced a flush to her cheeks and met his eyes. "I don't know . . . somewhere quiet and undisturbed?" She still didn't know for sure.

He slid an arm around her waist possessively. "I know just the place."

A New Player

Hector Prince tapped a finger against his chin as he listened to the couple at the table from his position behind the bougainvillea covered lattice. Shelia Burrows was up to something and he should know what. It was only good business to have all the information available. Winston Graves never briefed him on this particular aspect of their deal. He knew very well what was about to happen but he didn't know why exactly.

The discussion hadn't been all that clear and he didn't understand a lot of it. What he did know was that Senorita Weiss might be very grateful for being informed of her lover's behaviour and it would put he, Hector Prince, in a very interesting position should there be any fallout from the liaison he'd just witnessed. He waited until they moved out of sight and then he strode down to the patio to seek out Glenda Weiss.

It didn't take him long to locate the young woman. When the tour ended she went straight to the beach. She was stretched out on a lounge wearing little more than necessary to remain decent and reading a hardcover book while sipping a tall glass of some pink, foamy liquid. Hector considered how he might make his approach without drawing the attention of all the other people around and then he noticed she had a cell phone on the table beside her.

He hurried back up to the lobby and when he had a chance, he checked her file and copied the number down then went to a spot near the pool where he could watch her answer. The fact that Charles, his superior, was off site he felt was good timing for his purpose. Glenda made a face when the soft chime sounded and she closed her book and opened the phone, glancing at the screen first then putting it to her ear.

"Senorita Weiss?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"I am Hector Prince, resort security. Senorita I wonder if it would be convenient to see you at your suite?"

"Is something wrong? Have I been robbed or something?"

"No, nothing like that but too delicate to discuss publicly. It will take but a moment, Senorita."

"Now? Does it have to be now?"

"I would be best."

"Fine, I'll be along in a few minutes." She closed the phone and tossed it in her beach bag along with the book, sun lotion and her towel. She thought about getting Gary to accompany her but she didn't want to interfere with any progress he might be making with the real estate woman. They had discussed their doubts and decided to do a little investigating on their own. Their joint investments came to a lot of money. Even with the promise the woman had made about a dividend, they thought further nosing about might be prudent.

Hector watched her stride across the patio and he began to think of how he might improve on his situation as informer. What kind of payment might be offered? He turned and scooted up the stairs to the road above the lobby and quickly over to the main building.

Glenda climbed the steps into the lobby and out to the drive to get a ride. One of the resort drivers dropped her off near her suite and she waited until he drove away then climbed the last few steps to her level and walked toward the tall, dark man standing outside her door.

"Hector Prince?"

"Si. Por favor?" He removed his cigarillo and held out a directing hand toward her suite.