Thank you so much for the reviews of chapter 7. It was definitely my favourite one to write and it's good to know it went down well. Whirlgirl – I thought Scott was just dragging things out but you've got me wondering too now...
Chapter Eight
After the awkwardness of waking up next to Scott, who had been laughably desperate to make his escape from her room, practically running out of the door, Penny decided to head down to the spa before breakfast. She needed to think and one of the most effective ways she'd found of clearing her head and organising her thoughts was to relax in the steam room. Like everything else about Bailey's, the facilities at the spa were superb and she was soon settled on the tiled bench, her head tilted back as she gazed up at the sparkling lights in the ceiling. Every so often they changed colour and she was soon lulled into an almost hypnotic state. As she considered everything she'd learned so far about events at Bailey's – although the occasional memory of the previous night's escapade with Scott kept creeping in to distract her - she began to get her ideas in order, planning her next move and making a mental list of all the points she wanted to follow up. She only had one more day at Bailey's before she returned home to await the hoped-for blackmail message. Then she would return and focus her attention on the police captain who had been identified by Dion Lombardi. Parker would remain at the hotel to help Scott and Virgil with the search for the other blackmailers and the person who was causing so much trouble for Connie.
She'd enjoyed being the only occupant of the steam room and she couldn't help feeling a moment's annoyance as the door opened. Irritation turned to exasperation as two young women stepped in, chattering away and completely spoiling the mood for her. Wishing she could order Parker to throw them out she directed a meaningful glare towards them which they totally ignored. Sitting back she tried to recapture her train of thought, but her concentration was lost. Time to go, she thought, rising from the bench and heading for the door.
The door didn't open. Penny pushed it harder but it still failed to move. Wondering what was going on she turned back to the two women who hadn't noticed her failed attempts to leave. Before she could say anything there was a sudden, violent hissing from the steam pump.
One of the women screamed in agony as a scalding burst of steam hit her leg. She pulled her legs up onto the bench and stared in horror at the pump which seemed to be experiencing some problems. The temperature began to rise sharply as boiling hot steam rushed in, making it hard to see clearly – or to breathe.
Realising they were in trouble and mindful of the previous disasters which had struck Bailey's, Penny shoved at the door as forcibly as she could. The hot steam was beginning to burn her and she reached for the emergency alarm next to the door. It didn't come as any surprise when it failed to go off. Banging on the door, she wondered if anyone would hear her. With no means of contacting Parker or the Tracy brothers – she cursed herself for not bringing anything other than a towel with her – Penny felt totally helpless. She knew that none of them would last long in this heat. Was she about to become the victim of another 'accident' at Bailey's? One thing she was absolutely sure of - this was no accident. Oh, she could believe in a malfunctioning piece of equipment - though under the circumstances it would have been something of a coincidence. But there was no way the door should have jammed. This was deliberate.
The other two girls joined her and the three of them pushed at the door. Penny felt a slight give and encouraged her companions to try again. In desperation the three shoved with all their might and finally the door flew open. They stumbled outside, collapsing onto the ground. Penny gratefully drew in a few deep breaths, taking a moment to recover before turning to the others.
"Are you alright?" she asked weakly.
One of them nodded, but the one whose leg had been scalded began to whimper with pain.
"Stay here," Penny said. "I'll get help."
Wondering why there was no one around – the spa was usually quiet at this time of the morning but certainly not deserted like it was today, she headed off to the pool which was just a short distance away. To her relief Scott had just come on duty and she called out to him.
Scott stared at her in surprise. The usually composed Penny was breathless, her hair wild. He'd never seen her like that before - not in public anyway – and though her appearance immediately brought back memories of the night before, he knew straight away that something was very wrong. Jumping down from his lifeguard's chair, he ran towards her.
"What's happened? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Scott. Someone else needs help though." Penny explained what had happened as they made their way back to the spa, pausing every so often to draw in a deep breath.
As they approached the entrance they both came to a halt, exchanging confused looks.
"That wasn't there when I came here," Penny finally said, looking again at the printed notice which informed guests that the spa was experiencing mechanical problems and was out of use for the day. "No wonder no one came to our aid."
"You think someone deliberately trapped you in there?" Scott asked. "I can't believe this was an accident."
"It would appear so," Penny said thoughtfully. "But we know Bailey's has had a lot of 'accidents' lately. I suppose I could be just another random victim. I hope so - I'd hate to think our blackmailers have worked out that I'm here to catch them. It would be a shame if last night was all for nothing."
Scott hoped so too – otherwise he and Virgil might also be in danger. He certainly didn't want to think that his efforts of the previous night had been wasted.
Sending Penny to summon more help, Scott checked the steam room. The room was free of steam now, the pump having apparently burned itself out, though hot water still dripped from it, pooling on the floor. Checking the door, Scott realised that the catch had been twisted just enough to jam the door shut. There was no way it could have been an accident. It was just as well Penny had had company – there was no way she'd have freed herself if she'd been alone.
He turned his attention to the two women who had been trapped with Penny. As he examined the injured woman's leg, Scott asked them if they'd seen any 'keep out' signs or noticed anyone hanging around. When they replied in the negative he felt a little easier. Surely the perpetrator would have ensured that Penny was alone if it had been a targeted attack? He supposed it really could be another one of the incidents which were conspiring to ruin Connie and her hotel. He wasn't entirely convinced, though...
As various hotel staff arrived and Connie herself descended to take charge, he pulled Penny to one side, asking her if she wanted him to escort her to her room.
"Really, Scott, I can take care of myself. And you should be back on duty at the pool. Don't worry about me."
Scott smiled at this typical response. He looked at Penny closely.
"You're sure you're alright?"
"I'm fine, Scott. At least, I will be after I've attended to my hair... and perhaps a manicure would be in order. I appear to have broken a nail. Most annoying. Perhaps I could meet you and Virgil later to discuss our next move. I had a few ideas before I was interrupted."
"Okay. Better get yourself tidied up first though. Just as well this didn't happen yesterday - I don't think I'd want to seduce a woman with bad hair and a broken nail!"
Penny looked at him thoughtfully. "A repeat performance of last night might be in order, you know. After all, you did come to my aid and I am extremely grateful... It would seem to be the natural thing to do."
Scott could only stare at her dumbly as he tried to work out if she was serious.
Laughing at his obvious discomfiture Penny headed off for some much-needed beauty therapy.
Virgil was at the pool begging Scott to tell him exactly what had happened with Penny when Miguel came looking for him, much to Scott's relief.
"Sorry to interrupt. Have you got a minute, Virgil?"
"Sure, what's up?"
Miguel handed him a sheet of music. "I've always wanted to do this one. What do you think?"
"You've got to be kidding," Virgil replied. "That's got to be the piano equivalent of running a marathon uphill into a force ten gale – backwards!"
"Yeah, thought so," Miguel laughed. "Rob couldn't do it either. Maybe one day we'll find someone who's up to it." The challenge was obvious and Scott rolled his eyes, knowing full well that Virgil would rise to the bait.
"I didn't say I couldn't do it," Virgil said indignantly, snatching at the music which Miguel had taken back. "I just said it wasn't easy. Give me some time to practise. "
"You're on," Miguel agreed with a wink at Scott. "I'll leave you to it then. Be ready to rehearse it tomorrow afternoon."
"So, let's get back to business," Scott said once Miguel had gone. "I'm on duty for another hour. Why don't you go and see what Penny and Parker have been up to?"
"Later, maybe – I need to practise," Virgil said, getting up and heading off to the rehearsal studio. Scott sighed. What with the demands of both Amy and the band, Virgil really wasn't being much help with this investigation. Still, at least it had put a stop to all the teasing about Penny. For now at least...
A couple of hours later Virgil was tired but happy. He refused to be beaten by a rock song, not when he could play the most complex classical piano pieces. It was just a question of practice. Taking a break for a moment he wandered to the window and looked out across the golf course. The sound of the door opening startled him and he turned round to see Connie Hyatt walk into the room. Virgil was struck by how tired and depressed she looked.
"Are you okay?" Virgil asked. There was a long pause and he wondered if she'd even heard him. Finally she sighed and shook her head.
"Not really. I'm frightened, Virgil. Penny and those girls could have been killed. Why would anyone do something like that? Is it really just to get at me? Maybe I should just close down before someone else gets hurt. The hotel might be finished anyway. People are beginning to grow suspicious and it's only a matter of time before the press get hold of the story. If news of the blackmailing gets out as well then that will be it."
"That doesn't sound like you," Virgil said, with some concern. The tough woman he'd met just a few days ago seemed to have crumbled.
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt." She was silent for a moment. "Penny told me the police might be involved. No wonder they didn't take me seriously when I told them about all the problems I've been having."
"Even so, you should still tell them about everything that happened this morning. It might look suspicious if you don't. We don't want them to know we're onto them."
"I've already done it. But what's the point? You might suspect Richard - and goodness knows he's the only person I can think of who'd want to ruin me - but unless you can prove it..."
"Give us time. It's only been a few days. We'll get there."
She sighed, apparently unconvinced.
Virgil thought for a moment then sat back down at the piano. Gently touching the keys he began to play the introduction to one of Connie's most well-known songs. She looked at him in surprise, then smiled as she realised what he was doing.
"Well, I suppose you would understand the best way to cheer me up." She came to stand beside him, then she began to sing softly.
"I'm surprised you know that one," she said as the song ended. "That must be older than you are."
"It's one of my father's favourites," Virgil replied, beginning another song from Connie's repertoire. For the next twenty minutes they worked through a therapeutic music session with Connie gradually becoming more like the tough, no-nonsense businesswoman of old.
"Thank you, Virgil," she said finally, surprising him with a kiss on the cheek. "You know what? I think I still have something to offer this hotel. Maybe I'll even start singing again. Perhaps you'd like to accompany me if I worked out a set for us?"
"I'd like that," Virgil said, turning back to the complicated score he'd been working on. Connie looked at it and laughed. "Let me guess - Miguel has ideas for some new songs? That looks difficult, though."
"Well, I couldn't refuse a challenge."
"You're a better pianist than Rob - I'm sure you can manage it. Just make sure you don't tire yourself out before tonight. Nine till eleven in the bar – don't be late!"
Virgil laughed. "Well, you're certainly back to normal. Guess I'd better go and find Scott, see if there's any more news."
Connie watched him as he left the room, feeling more like her usual stubborn self. No one was going to ruin her or destroy her hotel! She just hoped Virgil, Scott and Penny would find the people responsible before there were any more incidents.
Alan made a triumphant return to Tracy Island that Sunday afternoon. He'd enjoyed his little mission and he'd been delighted when he'd found some useful information. It was something of an anti-climax when his father immediately presented him with a list of tasks which he expected him to get started on there and then. Despite being less than enthusiastic at the prospect of getting straight back down to work, he fully intended to do as he was asked. But then he ran into Tin-Tin and he couldn't resist the opportunity to tell her all about his trip. Before he knew it, it was dinnertime and he hadn't even read the list his father had given him. He decided to have a quick stroll down to the beach before heading back to his room to work. But when he reached the beach he found Tin-Tin waiting for him and soon work was the last thing on his mind.
