Eye of the Beholder

minutes. We're going to go over some parking and crowd-handling issues for the night of the reception. Thought I'd better check to see if you wanted to join us."
    Trask shook his head. "No, thanks. You're in charge of running this hotel, Pete. I told you, I'm only here to help draw the press and the VIPs. After that, I'm strictly on vacation."
    "Right." Pete hid his obvious skepticism behind a professional smile. "Well, I'd better get to the meeting. Let me know if there's anything you need, sir."
    "I'm not one of the guests, Pete. I can take care of myself."
    "Right," Pete said again. He looked even more doubtful.
    "Oh, yeah, one more thing," Pete added. "About those two particular RSVPs you wanted Glenda to follow up."
    Trask stilled. "What about them?"
    "I checked with her a few minutes ago. She told me that Guthrie never bothered to respond so she called his office and was told that he definitely will not attend the reception."
    Interesting, Trask thought. The hunt had barely begun, but the quarry was already running for cover.
    "What about Kenyon?" he asked. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Vale stiffen. You knew you were in a small town when even your overpriced art consultant had heard the local gossip.
    "Glenda mentioned that she had received written regrets from Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon," Pete said. "Seems they're in Hawaii for the month."
    Santana looked as wary as Vale, Trask thought. Apparently everyone had leaped to the conclusion that he was back in Avalon to do more than just open a resort. Fine by him. When you wanted something at the bottom of the pot to float to the surface, you got out a spoon and started stirring.
    "All right, Pete. Thanks for the update." "Sure. Like I said, let me know if there's anything else." Pete glanced at Edward. "By the way, Glenda got your last-minute addition to the guest list, Mr. Vale. She sent out an invitation to Alexa Chambers."
    "Thank you," Edward said in a strangled voice.
    "No problem." Pete smiled . " It's standard Avalon Resorts procedure to allow all major subcontractors and suppliers on a project to invite a few guests to the opening night reception."
    "Very kind." Edward dug out a pristine white handkerchief and blotted his forehead. "A bit warm in here, isn't it? Perhaps the air conditioning needs adjustment."
    Trask watched with interest as Edward wiped away perspiration. Outside, the late spring sun had driven the temperature into the mid eighties, but here inside the lobby the atmosphere was cool and comfortable.
    "I'll have someone check the equipment," Trask said softly.
    "Yes, well, just a suggestion." Edward smiled weakly. "If you'll excuse me, I'll go see about that bronze."
    He swung around and fled toward the massive etched glass doors at the front of the lobby.
    Trask waited until he had disappeared. Then he walked past the very expensive condors and went up the staircase to the second floor.
    At the top of the stairs he turned and went down the carpeted hall to the owner's suite at the far end of the west wing.
    He opened the door and entered a room that exuded raffish elegance, a place designed for
midnight
seductions and the hatching of dark plots.
    Subdued, milky light from the frosted glass wall sconces gleamed on the abstract design of the red and gold screen. The vermilion and yellow tapestries that covered the furnishings added a rich, decadent touch. According to Nathan, the sofa and armchairs were replicas of designs featured in something called the 1925 Paris Exposition. When Trask had asked what that was, Nathan had groaned. Trask had been left with the impression that the event had been a defining moment in Deco style.
    He went to the black lacquered cabinet and switched on a lamp that looked like a hood ornament from a 1927 Packard. He opened the cabinet doors to reveal the state-of-the-art business work station inside. Picking up the phone, he punched in a downstairs extension.
    Glenda Elaine, his unnervingly efficient head of public relations, answered on the first ring.
    " Blaine here," she said with the brusque precision of a military officer reporting in from the front.
    Glenda had worked for him since the inception of Avalon Resorts, Inc., but he still found himself tempted to salute every time he spoke with her.
    "I understand we sent out an invitation to someone named Alexa Chambers."
    "Yes, sir. It was a last-minute request. I handled it myself."
    Trask leaned back against the edge of the desk and studied the graceful,