The Legacy: Book Two of the Lane Trilogy. Vicki Inc. Andree
a large drafting table. “I’m thinking about the theme park inside the Kramer’s Island Village. We’ve talked about roller coasters, fun houses, a large Ferris wheel that extends over the sea, and other attractions.”
He held one side of the roll of blueprints open. “Sure, that’s what theme parks have in them for fun. You wanted a small scale Disney-type attraction, and all of those things will be needed.”
She nodded. “All of these attractions are important to me, and I want all of them available on Kramer’s Island. However, we need to add a luxury hotel.”
Tim looked dumbfounded. “A luxury hotel? Are you kidding? That’s a huge change. Leesa, I don’t think you understand the impact such an addition will have on the project.”
Leesa leaned over the drawings. “Now, listen to me. I never thought about it before, but people need to be able to stay over instead of having to ride the ferry back at the end of a long, exhausting day of fun.”
“You’re serious. Good grief, talk about dropping a bomb. We’re already behind schedule.”
She flashed him her best smile. “Oh schedule, schmedule. We can do it, can’t we?”
“Leesa, I agree it’s a good idea. No, it’s a great idea. If the schedule can be slipped, then I say ‘bravo.’ Let’s do it. I’ll meet with my team. Do you have any particular hotel chain in mind?”
She straightened. “Chain? Tim, I thought you knew me better than that.”
Tim slapped himself on the forehead. “Right, no chain, that would not be Leesa’s style. We better get moving. Tell me what you want in the design. I’ll meet with my team tonight. Can we fly up to Seattle tomorrow afternoon? I’m going to need the morning.”
She pulled up a spreadsheet. “If we wait until afternoon, we may not get finished before dark. We should go in the morning. Let’s go over my requirements for the new Kramer’s Island Hotel!”
Tim’s brow wrinkled. “Sure, but it looks like my team’s going to have to put in an all-nighter to be ready tomorrow. I need to make a few calls.”
Chapter Four
Monday morning bloomed with pregnant expectancy as Lyza drove to the office. Since her accident, she had neither negotiated business nor traveled. She missed the activity. Today, I take up the gauntlet again and get into the fray. I enjoyed business, I’m good at it, and I feel strong today. Her injuries were more mental than physical, although she had endured a coma for over a month. Physically, she was fully recovered. Mentally, she was on a high this morning.
She left her gray Mercedes in the capable hands of the valet at underground parking. Entering the Lane Building, she caught the elevator to the top floor.
The receptionist greeted her. “Good morning, Miss Lyza.”
Lyza knew the young woman was a new employee, but she couldn’t recall her name. “Good morning! I don’t believe we’ve met.”
The young woman gaped. “I—I’m Faith.”
“Welcome to Lane Unlimited, Faith. So nice to meet you.”
Lyza wanted to talk with the office manager and get updated on the latest corporate activity. “I’ll be in my office this morning. Is Bill in?”
Faith blushed. “He’s in his office. I’ll buzz him.”
“No, don’t buzz him. I’ll just go on in.” Lyza dashed down the mahogany hall and poked her head in the opened door of Bill’s office.
Bill looked up from a thick ream of paper. “Good morning, Lyza. Glad to see you. What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for a project. I’m ready to jump back into work. What have we got on those back burners?”
He turned to the three split-screen computer monitors on his desk and motioned her to sit. “Well, let’s take a look. If you’re looking at real estate, and I know that’s what you love best, there’s a property in Spain that looks interesting. It’s an—”
“I’d rather focus on the States.”
“In the States? Huh, that’s not like you. I thought you loved travel. There’s a great piece of ground just outside Cairo that’s begging to be turned into a shopping mall, western style. Doesn’t that sound interesting?”
Africa. Her heart skipped a beat. “That does sound interesting. Has anyone looked at it?” Lyza liked starting projects from the ground up, with little—or, preferably, no—interference from anyone else.
She always began her projects with a trip to the site for inspection, but the thought of flying on another commercial flight gave her pause.
Lyza was relieved when Bill said, “No one has looked at it. It’s been on the books for a week. Should I reserve a corporate jet to make this trip more efficient?”
She liked that idea. She stood up and gave him her best grin. “I’ll think about it.” Then she stepped into the hall, making her way to her own office. By the time she reached her desk, she had decided. Lyza pushed the intercom. “All right, Bill. You got my attention. Would you get me reservations at the Four Seasons, Cairo, for three nights?”
Bill responded with a pleasant, “I’m on it.”
Lyza felt the tempo of the day increase. She retrieved more information regarding the site. For centuries, it had been a goat farm. Owned by an Egyptian couple who inherited it from the husband's elderly grandparents, they wanted a quick sale. The couple resided in London and had no interest in keeping the property. At one time, the grandfather had been a powerful sheik in Egypt. The acreage appealed to her sense of adventure. She traveled the world, but she had not spent much time in the Middle East. Hong Kong, Sydney, London, Paris, Rome, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam were all familiar haunts; Egypt would be interesting.
Deeply engrossed in research, Lyza jumped at the sound of a familiar voice from her office doorway. “Hello there.”
“Father, you scared me. Don’t sneak up on me like that!”
He sat in the chair across from her. “I want to talk with you. Sneaking up on you is the only way I get to talk to my daughter these days.”
“Don’t be crazy. You can talk to me anytime. Did you hear about the Cairo deal?”
“Bill just told me. Do you think you’re up to this? It’s only been a few months—”
“Since the accident,” she finished. “Yes, Father, I’m up to it. I’m looking forward to it. Do you have any objections?”
“No, I’m not going to object. Lyza, I wanted to ask you about your date to the benefit.”
Lyza deflected the conversation by jumping in first. “Oh, yes, I decided to forgo the Gary escort. He’s been a good friend, escorting me over the years, but Father, I’m over thirty. I think it’s time to strike out on my own.
“Gary seemed to take it all right. I noticed he was there with Julie Rockefeller. They were having a good time. It was such a lovely benefit. Be sure to compliment Mother. The orchestra was outstanding, the rainforest absolutely believable.” She was babbling, but when she stopped talking, he would start. Finally she had no choice but to stop, so she could catch her breath.
Lawrence didn’t miss a beat. “Who was the young man you were with?”
Lyza knew her father’s power and his habit of hiring detectives at the drop of a hat. “I’m sure you know more about David than I do by now.”
“Have you seen the Today’s Celebs this morning? Well, it was actually yesterday’s news. And I hope that’s what it is.” He slapped the paper on her bare desk.
“What’s this? Me and David. Oh.” She tried to hide her surprise. “Doesn’t he take a good picture?”