Sweet Revenge

cheek. If she was seen, and anyone asked questions, they would remember a middle-aged maid with a scar.
    Linens were kept in a storage closet at the end of each hallway. She could have picked the lock with a hairpin if it had been necessary. Instead, she slipped a tool out of the cinch she wore around her thigh. Adrianne tossed the laundry bag into an empty cart, then took an armful of towels. She was backing the cart out of the closet when she heard the elevator sound.
    With her head lowered she began to push the cart slowly up the hallway.
    “Buenos tardes”
she murmured as a couple passed her, smelling of chlorine and suntan oil. She’d shared breakfast with them only that morning. They didn’t bother to answer the greeting, but continued to argue over where to go skiing the following week.
    At the door to the Presidential Suite, Adrianne knocked, then called out in broken English. “Housekeeping. Fresh towels.” She waited, counting carefully to ten.
    Using the same tool, Adrianne dealt with the lock. It was pitiful, she thought, how much faith the average person put in a key. Perhaps one day, after she’d retired, she’d write a series of articles on the subject. For now she pulled the maid’s cart inside, blocking the door with it.
    If something went wrong, the obstacle would give her a few precious moments.
    Sumptuous, she thought as she gazed around the suite. The St. Johns had spared no expense for comfort. They had chosen peach and cream tones offset by glossy black, with deep carpets and a sprawling sofa. The flowers were fresh, showing Adrianne that the maid had already tidied, though Lauren’s clothes were tossed over chairs and tables.
    Adrianne preferred the bright orange and gold furnishing of the El Presidente. Someone should tell Charlie that people come to the island not only to relax, but to feel as though they were roughing it a bit.
    She’d learned enough about the new hotel from the blueprints and her two-day stay. Lunch with Lauren at the Russian Tea Room had added the few missing details. Adrianne had picked up the tab, figuring it was the least she could do.
    As a precaution, she took a quick tour of the rooms. The bath was identical to her own, as her information had promised. A heap of damp towels on the floor, and the lingeringscent of Norell told her that Lauren had bathed before meeting the press.
    Assured she was alone, she moved unerringly to the closet in the dressing room. The safe, that extra amenity Charlie provided in all of his hotels, was there.
    Rather than a combination, it worked with a key the guest was to keep in a purse or pocket. Not only was there no alarm, but a child with determination and a screwdriver could open it in less than half an hour. Adrianne lifted her skirt up and unsnapped a key from a small pocket. It was the key from the safe in her own room one floor down.
    It slid in, but didn’t turn. After choosing a file, she began to make adjustments. It took patience. She could file off only a fraction at a time, replace the key, and try it again. Crouched like a catcher behind home plate, she worked second by second, minute by minute. Now and then she heard a door close or the elevator sound. She would wait, holding her breath until footsteps moved passed the suite.
    As always, she felt the thud of satisfaction when the lock gave. Setting the key on top of the safe, she took out a jewelry case. Pearls, very nice, opera length. She replaced the case, then took out another. These were diamonds, rather small but fine and worked into a chain. She supposed Lauren would consider them casual wear. Adrianne replaced those as well, then found the diamond and ruby suite.
    Using her loupe, she examined three of the stones in the necklace. Burmese, as Lauren had said, masculine stones of deep color with a lovely satiny texture and a minimum of silk, or flaws. The diamond accents were excellent, V.S.I, with just a trace of yellow. Stones of the second water, but well cut. She slid them and the matching bracelet and earrings into her pocket, replaced the case, then relocked the safe. A glance at her watch showed she had adequate time to return to her own hotel and change for dinner with her cousin.
    It was then she heard a key turn in the lock.
    “Goddammit, get this thing out of the way.”
    Cursing under her breath, Adrianne leapt to obey. “Excuse, señora. Fresh towels,
por favor”
    “Give me one then. Shit.” Lauren snatched a towel off the pile on the