By four o’clock everything was set. Seeing his mother in the hall talking to Jonathan’s secretary, Glenna, Joseph went to give her an update in person. And like he had assumed, she was pleased.
“Good, this is perfect. Can you talk to Tom, and put an additional man or two on each shift to walk the corridors until we get those cameras installed? Let him know that we will pay the over time if need be. Anything to prevent another theft.” He saw the frown. These thefts really had her worried.
“Absolutely. I agree. And I’ll ask the security guards on the first and second floors to be more alert, watching the merchandise areas and the ATM locations.”
“Very good,” she nodded. She seemed a bit distracted. “The week after next we have a convention coming in, lots of dignitaries, and I really would love those cameras in place by then.”
“They’ll be in place, and perhaps we can add extra security on the monitors. What kind of convention is it?” he asked, mildly curious. Conventions brought in larger crowds, and he hadn’t heard about this one.
“It’s a small contingency of the Democratic Party. They are gearing up for their caucus. And a planning session, some fundraising too, I think. There will be a black tie event on Saturday, one thousand guests expected in ballroom A, The Mashantucket.”
He briefly wondered if Senator Silver would be in attendance. “We could hire out for additional security if we don’t have the new hires in place by then. You need me to handle that?” he asked focusing on the task at hand.
That faraway expression vanished. “Could you?” she asked smiling brightly at him. She appeared irritated, still distracted, which was unlike his mother. Normally, she was so focused and on top of everything. She wasn’t acting herself at all. He briefly wondered if she were ill. But surely she would tell her children if she were sick. Even her energy seemed depleted. Especially after returning from one of her vacations. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Oh yes, I’m fine,” she waved away his suggestion. “It is just these robberies have me so worked up. These politicians bring their wives, and they tend to want to show off their jewelry. I don’t want anything happening during the night of the banquet, the whole weekend really.” Her eyes rolled at the thought of the political spouses and their tendency to overdo their accessorizing.
“I’ll handle it. Don’t worry. I’ll keep you posted as things start to get put in place. I hate to see you so worried.” He saw her slight frown at his concern.
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that. The banquet is Saturday evening, but on Friday night those who have come in early will most likely keep those items in their rooms so I’d like the extra security that night as well. It hasn’t been advertised, invite only, but if word gets out about the new arrivals, I am afraid these thieves might take a stab at some of the dignitaries family heirlooms. The thought of one of the politicians or their spouses getting robbed at the casino would surely make the news. We don’t need any kind of bad press.”
He nodded, completely understanding her concerns. “And I’m sure that while some of the attendees, their aides, and lobbyists are in sessions, their spouses will probably be in the casino.”
His mother nodded, her eyes widening. She hadn’t thought of that. She was about to suggest more than the additional two, but Joseph interrupted her.
“I’ll bring in an extra six men for Friday night then, but maybe we could inform the clerks at check in to be sure to offer use of the hotel safe. Complimentary, of course.”
“Very good. Good thinking.” Again, her brow furrowed while contemplating the extra safety precautions. He could tell she was still distracted, as her hands reached up to clasp her own locket. It was something she had worn since before he could even remember. A touchstone containing pictures of the four of them, her children. She always grasped it when agitated.
“Is everything else okay, Mom?” he asked once more, full of concern. His mother was acting so strangely.
Tawny gave her son her full attention, and then smiled broadly when she saw the worry on his face. She needed to keep it together. Especially in front of Joseph. He was always so observant. He noticed many things that others did not. Her worries were not even about the thefts, though that was bothering her, but it was something she couldn’t share that was taking precedence in her mind. “That’s funny. I was going to ask you the same question.” She decided the best tactic to put him off about her odd behavior was to turn the tables on him. She was good at that. Keeping tabs on her children made her an expert over the years.