Free Deadly Alliance by Kathleen Rowland Page B

with trees so dense sunlight was blocked. She took notice of the alpine structure. It met the Arrowhead’s building code of three stories high but felt mythological and dangerous. Was it filled with devils in differing guises like those at the Harp Hotel? Encircled by towering cedars and pines, she made her way along a cobblestone path.
    By the time she arrived at the entrance of the sprawling tavern-style landmark, she shook off her fear. A glass-encased box contained numerous flyers. The restaurant rotated art work from Laguna Beach galleries and currently displayed California Impressionists. She scanned a community theater flyer. Tickets were available for The Butler Did It. Other flyers announced workshops for stage make-up, costume building, and mask making. A flyer for Trout Days caught her attention most of all, and she picked one up and placed it in a plastic folder along with her spreadsheets.
    All the events at the Inn suited the clientele. This get-away drew Hollywood executives, countless movie stars, and even Mafioso’s who liked to dabble. If a person were staying overnight, which she wasn’t, this was just as upscale as the Harp Hotel. Nowhere felt safe.
    Winding her way toward The Grill, she admired the lobby’s rustic chic but hoped she wouldn’t be admiring it for too long. The dull buzz of her iPhone had her bending to retrieve it from her bag. Finn was ringing her.
    “Amy, I parked next to your Ford Explorer.”
    The sound of his firm, controlled voice sent nerve-tingles down her spine. “Lucky you.”
    “I am lucky. I’ll see you soon.” She’d driven to the Inn to meet him. Finbar Donahue. Most days, too busy to think about her absence of a love life, today she thought of nothing else.
    He laughed. “I meant you’re lucky to have a car with an access code. Your car keys were in your purse.”
    “Ah.” She kept an extra set of keys in the glove compartment.
    He said, “There you are. Standing by the stone fireplace.”
    “That’d be me.”
    He swivelled gracefully to say hello to someone. The glimpse of his profile kindled a spark in her heart. He looked at her, caught her staring, and she waved. A woman gravitated toward him, put her hand on her throat and laughed. “Hey handsome.” He slowed for a chat.
    Amy swallowed back a tinge of jealousy. With a man like Finn there would be competition. If she wanted to take a run at him, this was her time. Time to primp. Above the fireplace was a mirror, and Amy glanced into it. Seeing her reflection, she tossed her hair to give it some oomph and then froze. One of her aquamarine earrings was missing. Her heart lurched. She tipped her head and saw Finn rush to her side.
    “What’s wrong?” He witnessed her reaction, but his frown did not have the power to bring back her earring.
    She lifted her hand to her bare earlobe. “My earring. It’s gone.” Her voice caught on her emotions. “My grandparents gave them to me.” Amy shook her head, unable to continue, miserable at the thought of losing their pricey graduation gift.
    He tipped his forehead, just inches away from hers. “When do you last know it was there?”
    “In the reception area of your office, I was playing with one. Hey, it’s my fault.”
    While facing her, he made an immediate phone call to building maintenance at The Bow. “Look at me,” he said as he held up his iPhone and snapped a photo of her remaining earring.
    She said, “You’re not the only one who snaps pictures.”
    He smiled. “I’m calling the maintenance people. Stay still.”
    Amy tried not to feel self-conscious as he took another picture, spoke with someone, and ended his call. “I’m grateful for your effort.”
    He shot off the email and photo attachment.
    “It’s a thing.” She didn’t want to get carried away. “It’s replaceable. That’s not true with people.”
    “Which reminds me,” he said. “My dad wants a look at your map.”
    “Great! It’s either Fuller Ridge or