All or Nothing

Kelly rolled her eyes and started to walk away.

“What about Amy?” Dana glanced over at their friend who looked more subdued than usual.

“She can’t take a break yet. She’s spent the last hour in the security office. Brenda is there now so there’s no one to cover for her.”

“An hour?” Dana fell into step beside Kelly as they passed the elevators and headed for the door that would lead them to what the employees affectionately called the dungeon, officially known as the back-of-the-house, where the cafeteria, housekeeping and lockers were located.

Technically, Dana wasn’t supposed to go back there since she wasn’t an employee, but no one had ever said a word and since the other two couldn’t leave the property for their breaks they’d always grabbed a quick cup of coffee in the cafeteria.

“Everyone who worked during the thefts has been scheduled to meet with security,” Kelly explained. “It’s a pain in the ass, but I can see management’s point.”

“I get that, but Amy was there for an hour?”

“I haven’t gotten the scoop from her yet.” Kelly entered the cafeteria first and went straight for the coffee station. She nodded to one of the engineers who looked up from the newspaper he was reading. “I heard that one of the room service waiters was questioned for nearly two hours.”

“Well, those guys are actually on the guest floors all the time so I can see why.” Dana poured herself half a cup, leaving out the cream and sugar. That was all she allowed herself before running. “Even if they aren’t suspects they might’ve seen something helpful.”

“Yeah, I suppose.” Kelly chose a secluded table in the corner, although only a few other people were taking their breaks. She took a hasty sip, muttered a curse and jerked away from the steaming cup. She exhaled sharply. “But Amy hardly ever goes up on the guest floors.”

Dana had taken the seat opposite her and faced the doorway. If Kyle showed up she was out of here. The man could hurt her business so she’d kept her mouth shut, but she wasn’t going to stick around and take any harassment. She looked at Kelly and noticed the strain around her mouth and eyes. “Are you worried about Amy?”

Kelly’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. She blinked and then waved a dismissive hand. “No. I got this letter from my mom…” Kelly rubbed her temples.

“Oh, that.” Dana’s light remark belied the sympathy that ran deep. Being disappointed in yourself was one thing, but letting everyone back home know what a failure you’d become…well that was hard to stomach. It didn’t help to keep up the lie. Contact with old friends and family just kept getting harder, more complicated, until you didn’t know which end was up. “I might have some good news.”

“Yeah?” Kelly braved another sip, a curious lack of interest in her face. “I could use some good news.”

Dana spotted Amy at the door of the cafeteria. “Amy’s here.”

“Good. I’d like to hear what security said to her.”

Their friend joined them at the table and the conversation immediately focused on her meeting with security.

“Man, those guys aren’t kidding.” Amy shook her head at Dana’s offer to get her coffee. “Daryl kept firing questions at me like I was some kind of criminal.”

Kelly frowned. “Didn’t he just ask you to go to the movies with him last week?”

“Yeah, the stupid jerk wanted me to go see one of those juvenile comedies. As if.”

Dana knew the security guard, but only by reputation. “Maybe he’s giving you a hard time because you turned him down.”

“No, I heard they’re coming down hard on everyone.” Kelly shook her head. “Still, they have no reason to be suspicious of the front-desk people.”

Amy sighed. “Except I made several housekeeping requests on the nights of two of the thefts. Apparently one of the guests involved denied calling the front desk for extra pillows and I was the one who’d logged the request.”

“So?” Dana didn’t get it. “You wouldn’t have been the one to take the pillows to the guest floor.”

Amy’s expression turned grim. “After the housekeeping runner goes home at eleven, depending on who’s available, either the supervisor or a desk person fills guests’ requests.”

Dana sank back in her chair. “And tag, you were it.”

“That’s what they say. I don’t remember.” Amy growled with frustration. “I only work two lousy nights a week. Why did the thefts have to happen during my shift?”

Kelly briefly touched her hand. “Ah, sweetie, don’t worry about it. Let them make their reports. They’re just doing their job. Nothing will come of this.”

“Still, it’s humiliating.”

Kelly looked at Dana. “Let’s talk about something more pleasant. You have good news for us?”

She checked her watch. Not much time. “Turns out my client is a producer. He’s here to meet with a playwright for a film he’s backing. He didn’t say it in so many words, but he might be looking for local talent that can take on the big screen.”

“Chase Culver?” Amy asked, and at the same time Kelly said, “The hottie?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a producer?” Amy shook her head. “He doesn’t look like a producer. The guy’s yanking your chain.”

Kelly nodded. “I’m with Amy on that one. He’s a little on the rough side, don’t you think?”

“The family money comes from oil. He’s decided to dabble in the movie business.”

“Hmm.” Kelly chuckled. “Expensive way to get laid.”

“I don’t think it’s like that,” Dana said, surprised at her defensiveness. “I mean, the guy could walk into any Manhattan bar and find someone to help him pull off his boots.”

“True.” Amy glanced conspiratorially at Kelly.

“What?” Dana got defensive again. “I’m not interested, if that’s what you’re implying.”

Kelly laughed. “If you’ve got a pulse, you’re interested in the man.”

Dana pushed back from the table. “Here I thought I was doing you guys a favor.”

Kelly finished her coffee, her obvious indifference not quite computing. Of the three of them she was the most diversely talented, able to sing, act and dance. She’d also been the most ambitious, keeping up on every casting call and arranging her days off accordingly. “How?”

“Look, I don’t know what kind of film he’s looking at producing, but why not throw your hats into the ring? It’s not as if we haven’t all stood in line for hours and hours for a two-minute audition just to get thrown out on our rears.”

Oddly, it was Amy who seemed more excited. “Is he holding auditions?”

“Not yet. Not that I know of, anyway. He seems to be in the scouting stage.” Troubled by her attitude, Dana stared at Kelly. “I thought you’d be all over this opportunity.”

Kelly sighed. “I’m tired. This town is finally getting to me.”

Amy’s mouth dropped open. She briefly looked over at Dana, who understood the disbelief in Amy’s face. “You? Miss Insanely Optimistic? You’re giving up?”

“I think eight years of heartache is enough.” Kelly drove a frustrated hand through her curly hair. “I’ve got to get back to work.” She hesitated. “Look, I was going to wait and tell you guys once I made up my mind for sure, but my mom told me there’s an opening for an assistant manager at the local bank back home. The manager is an old family friend and the job is pretty much mine if I want it.”

“Shut up!” Amy’s face went pale.