"Chloe, front desk needs to look perfect."
"Flowers straight."
"Marble cleaned."
"Luis, no loiterers in the lobby."
Then his eyes found Margaret.
"And move her out of sight."
A housekeeper looked at Margaret.
Then quickly away.
Derek snapped:
"Did everyone hear me?"
"Yes."
Margaret folded the newspaper.
So this was how he managed inspections.
Not better behavior.
Concealment.
Chloe approached Margaret.
"You need to go upstairs."
"Why?"
"Management instruction."
"I'm comfortable here."
"The hotel owner is coming."
"How exciting."
Chloe looked irritated.
"Please don't make this difficult."
Margaret tilted her head.
"Would my presence embarrass the hotel?"
Chloe glanced at the old coat.
"Honestly?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
Margaret smiled.
"Thank you for your honesty."
At nine forty-seven, a black sedan stopped outside.
Daniel Cho stepped out.
Derek transformed.
Margaret had now seen the trick twice.
Once for Christian Langford.
Now for Daniel.
Shoulders back.
Smile.
Hands open.
"Daniel."
Derek moved toward him.
"Welcome."
"It's good to see you."
Daniel shook his hand.
"Derek."
Chloe stepped forward.
"Mr. Cho, can I get you coffee?"
"Later."
Daniel looked around.
His eyes moved across the lobby.
Found Margaret.
He walked toward her.
Derek followed.
"Daniel, before we start, we've had a small issue with a transient guest."
Margaret stood.
Daniel stopped in front of her.
"Mrs. Whitfield."
He glanced at his watch.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
The lobby went silent.
Derek looked from Daniel to Margaret.
"Why are you talking to her?"
Daniel turned slowly.
"Her?"
"The old lady."
Daniel's expression changed.
"The old lady?"
Margaret closed her eyes for half a second.
Not because she was offended.
Because the absurdity was almost exhausting.
Daniel faced Derek.
"This is Mrs. Margaret Whitfield."
Derek waited.
Nothing registered.
Daniel continued.
"Chairwoman and majority owner of Whitfield Hospitality."
He gestured around them.
"The owner of the Aurelia Grand."
Chloe made a small sound.
A gasp.
Derek stared.
"No."
Margaret looked at him.
"No?"
"This is some kind of—"
Daniel opened his tablet.
Displayed the corporate directory.
Margaret Whitfield's photograph appeared.
Professional lighting.
Silver hair.
Pearls.
Same face.
Derek went white.
Chloe gripped the desk.
Someone behind them whispered:
"Oh my God."
Margaret looked around the lobby.
The employees who had avoided her now stared openly.
Some frightened.
Some ashamed.
Some confused.
Sam was not there.
That mattered to her immediately.
"Where is Sam Rivera?"
Nobody answered.