Page 24 of Hale Damage
I sweep the area again just to be certain, but a gorgeous redheaded goddess in a sexy dress does not spontaneously appear. Backtracking to the front desk, I approach the counter where a young woman sits on a tall stool. She’s a little person with blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. Looking up from her computer, she gives me a wide smile.
“Checking out, sir?”
Am I? Fuck if I know.
“Uh, no. I was wondering if you saw a woman leave here. Red hair, scarlet dress, about this tall.” I hold my hand up to my shoulder.
Her lips twist. “No, but I just got here a few minutes ago.”
I drag a hand over my rough jaw, thinking. “Can you check to see if anyone left a message for room 418?”
“Of course.” The lady taps on her keyboard before looking up at me with an apologetic smile. “No, Mr. Hale. I’m very sorry.” She obviously saw my name on her screen, and I glance at her nametag to see her name is Carla Jones.
“What about a handwritten note?” I ask, hearing the tinge of desperation in my request.
Carla flicks through a small stack of pink notes, and I can read the sympathy in her eyes even before she shakes her head. “You still have a few hours before checkout time.”
“Yeah,” I say absently. “Yeah, I’ll leave her a message here in case she comes back. I’m sure she just had to… run an errand or something.”
“Probably,” Carla says kindly, though she doesn’t sound convinced.
My mind whirls, working through all possibilities. “I’ll leave a note in the room as well. If she returns, please give her a key to get in.”
“Certainly. Let me just add that to the computer.” Her fingers fly over the keys. “Your friend’s name?”
“Minnie,” I reply.
Brown eyes look up at me over her glasses. “And her last name?”
Fuck if I know, Carla.
“Just Minnie,” I reply. “Like Cher or Madonna.”
Her blonde eyebrows pinch together. “If someone is to be allowed access to a guest’s room, we have to see their ID to make sure the first and last names match.”
I puff out an exasperated sigh before leveling her with my narrow-eyed gaze. “I appreciate your diligence, Carla, but how many redheads named Minnie do you get coming in to ask for a key to room 418 on a daily basis?”
She rolls her lips between her teeth, fighting a smile. “Not a lot.”
“If that happens to occur today, you have my permission to give her a key card.” At her skeptical look, I pull out my wallet and slide three hundred- dollar bills over the counter. “Please. It’s really important to me.”
She eyes the money like it’s a bomb. “I’d like to help you, but if Itake that money, I’m getting fired.” Her nose scrunches. “Not that I would mind all that much if I didn’t have bills to pay. Working every weekend is for the birds. My husband and I haven’t been on a proper date in three months.”
I place one of my business cards on top of the cash. “What if I give you a job at my company? Weekdays only. Full benefits.” Then, because I’m not a complete moron, I add, “As long as you can pass a background check.”
“Oh, I definitely can.” Carla picks up the card and studies it before eyeing me. “You’re really one of the Hale Cosmetics dudes?”
With a chuckle, I assure her, “I am, indeed, one of those dudes. You can look me up on the company’s website.”
She keeps the card but pushes the money back toward me. “I won’t take that, Mr. Hale, but if a redheaded Minnie comes in today, I’ll give her your note and a key to room 418.” Leaning toward me, she asks, “You’ll still give me a job either way?”
Carla’s refusal of the money impresses me, and I give her a quick nod. “Of course. Just call that number and ask to speak with Eloise in Human Resources. I’ll let her know to expect your call.”
She opens a drawer and pulls out a notepad and two envelopes. I scrawlJoealong with my personal cell number on one of the pages and place it in the envelope. Sealing it and handing it over to Carla, I say, “Thank you so much for your help.”
“No, thank you.” She offers me a conspiratorial smile. “And I hope you find your Minnie.”
“I will,” I say confidently. Because there’s no other option.
