“The conversation went from awkward to worse when she showed me Jesse’s photo.” He paused. “I should have pushed.”
Sean took another look around. The green, lush foliage; the new, well-maintained structures; the discreet security personnel and cameras. They passed an amazing pool, winding paths, and caught glimpses of an ocean view that would be visible from, it appeared, many of the hotel suites. There were private cabins closer to the shore.
“This place isn’t for fathers and sons,” Kane said. “She’s having marital problems.” Sean had begun to suspect the same … but not in the way Kane thought. Maybe they’d had an argument. Or maybe Carson took Jesse without her permission. She certainly hadn’t wanted Sean and Kane leaving this morning. She either trusted what her husband had told her, or feared for his life. And Jesse’s.
“Did you run her business?”
Sean hesitated. “No.”
Kane glanced at him as he pulled into temporary parking near the lobby. “Get your head in the game, Sean. One mistake, I can overlook. Two? That’s not like you.”
Kane didn’t say anything else, but Sean sensed the disappointment. He hadn’t thought about researching Madison’s business, or asking why she hadn’t traveled with her husband and son. He’d covered the basics, but hadn’t dug around because he was preoccupied with the fact that he had a son.
But Kane was right. Sean had to focus as if this were a common search and rescue, even though it was anything but typical.
Kane didn’t enter through the lobby, but used a side entrance that led directly to the security offices. They were just as luxurious and state-of-the-art as the rest of the resort.
“Rogan!” a voice called as soon as they stepped over the threshold.
Kane cracked half a smile at the short, broad-shouldered man who stood in front of them. “Nicco.” They shook hands warmly. “My brother, Sean. Nicco Guiterrez, one of the good guys.”
“This is Sean? He’s bigger than you.”
“I can still take him down.”
Sean would have argued, but Kane may have wanted to demonstrate, and Sean wasn’t sure he could beat his brother. Kane played dirty.
Nicco chuckled. “Come to my office, I have what you need.”
Nicco’s office was spacious with multiple security screens that duplicated those in the main room. He motioned for Kane and Sean to sit at the conference table. He typed on a keyboard and the lights dimmed and a wall screen appeared showing a frozen image of Carson Spade in the lobby.
“Your subject arrived with his minor son late Thursday evening. We have him checking in at eight-oh-two p.m. He registered under his name, Carson Spade, with his minor son, Jesse Spade. He was scheduled to stay for three nights, until Sunday.”
“When were the reservations made?” Sean asked.
“Same day. I can get the exact time, if you need that.”
“Did he make them?”
“He reserved the suite with the same credit card that he used at checkin.”
“You’re not booked up?”
“Normally, yes. But we always keep a few rooms for VIPs. He’s stayed at resorts owned by Diamond Plus LLC many times, and paid a premium for the privilege. He’s what we call a platinum guest.”
“Were there any other last-minute reservations?”
Nicco glanced from Sean to Kane. “This is getting into my discomfort zone, but for you, Kane, I can say yes. A suite was reserved also at the last minute by a business, Llave de Oro, which also has a platinum membership. Because of the level, we don’t require individual names on reservations. Privacy is a premium well paid for.”
“You wouldn’t share this if you didn’t have more on this business,” Kane said.
Nicco smiled. “I have no names, but I have photos. Two men and a woman stayed in the suite. Based on what housekeeping informed me, the woman was with one of the men; the other man slept alone. Mr. Spade spent much time in the suite; his son did not. His son spent most of his time on the beach or in the arcade room.”
Kane shot a glance at Sean and almost smiled. Sean wasn’t smiling.
Nicco slid over a thin folder. “Best shots I have of the men and the woman.” Then he added. “I believe, based on my considerable experience, that the boy was under protection by two members of my hotel security. I can’t verify that without risking you—however, I have the names of the two men. If you would repay this favor by finding out if these two men have other allegiances, or if they were simply taking money from the father under the table, I would consider us even.”
He slid over a small envelope, which Kane pocketed without comment or looking inside.