Chapter 85: Another Hotel

On Wednesday morning Helena went to see Claire and looked over the various hotels she owned in the island group and decided to call on one. From Claire office she booked 2 nights at the seventh island Hotel. Returning to the hotel she mentioned to Phillip her plan to stay at one of her other hotels for a few nights. Paul flew them to the island and they were escorted to her booked room. It was just a normal room not the suite she requested. Fred stated “Shall I ask for the booked room?”

Helena replied “No, something is wrong, lets act as tourists and find out.”

That afternoon whilst at the pool they overheard two of the staff complaining about being on call for Friday and Saturday for those bloody Romano owners. They are such a pain when they come always expecting 5 star service.

Helena called one over and got her to help her up as she slipped in the seat and was having difficulty in getting up with slippery hands. Harry placed a ring on her finger and extracted some information. Helena thanked her for the assistance and ordered three coffee’s. Fred was sleeping, thanks to Harry.

Sitting down at a poolside table the coffee was served. Harry mentioned ‘These Romano’s come every two months and pick up their profit from the hotel in cash and demand high standards for themselves but not the full hotel. The previous manager knew who the owner were. He died and his brother took over the manager job some 6-8 months ago without telling Claire’s company. He has installed some of his personal friends as staff and they are the lazy people around here. None of the family want to work here with him but are too afraid to upset him because of his anger. I feel we should extend our stay for another two nights to meet these people.’

Helena replied ‘Yes and I will get Claire and her boyfriend to come over or Xena, they can pass on some financial information for Fred to analyse.’

Helena then telephoned Claire quietly explaining what she had found out. She requested Claire bring over the reports for the last two years and a laptop. Claire advised her boyfriend could not come but Xena is free. We can act as two school leavers, carefree unknown to you and happy until you spring the trap. Helena quickly agreed and also told her she would pick up any of their costs. They would arrive that evening with the normal evening flight with Paul.

Fred finally woke up. Helena filled him in with her plan. He agreed. They had dinner in the hotel restaurant and found it lacking in quality and service. For a 5 start hotel it felt very much like a low grade three star even possibility 2 star. They saw Xena and Claire arrive and just let them play up. No one recognised them from the mainland.

Later that night Claire and Xena called into Helena’s room. Xena after greeting Helena and Fred exclaimed “Grandfather would go wild if he saw this hotel. It’s shocking!”

Helena smiled “Yes that is only the half of it. The Romano’s are coming on Friday to pick up their cash profit from the manager here. Claire they did not tell you the manager here died and his brother has taken over.”

Claire looked in shock. “The old manager son should have taken over. What do you want us to do?”

Fred stated “I will work on these figures tonight and in the morning then Helena and I can plan an action. You two just be happy and care free quietly chatting up the staff and finding out any information you can. Don’t let them know you have experience in the trade. We will pool our resources tomorrow night and make a plan. Happy with that girls, don’t worry about any cost you incur we will cover it. We need you to be the noise as we work behind the scenes OK?”

Claire and Xena look at each other then Fred and Helena “Yes we understand. Go for it.” They left the room quietly and unseen.

Fred started on the figures and within an hour he could see the change over figures dropping, the reports stated a drop in tourist numbers but the food and laundry revealed the numbers were rising not falling. Something was wrong.

Fred finished with the figures by 10am and graphed the information. You could clearly see a drop in cash but not credit or banked transfer funds. Laundry and food costs were constant. Staff costs higher. He had all of the information ready.

Fred and Helena went down to the pool area for lunch. Just as they finished Xena accidentally splashed Fred with water as she bombed the pool in a jump. Quickly getting out and apologising she mentioned quietly need to meet you in your room in 20 minutes. Fred then got annoyed with her and stormed away. Helena realising what occurred quietly followed her husband. A young man came up to Helena and asked if those school students should be removed from the hotel. Helena stumbled against him. Harry put a ring on him. Helena replied “No Peter, I’ll find out what occurred. It just looks like they splashed my husband and he is not really fond of water. Just let them be. We have all been young and foolish in our youth at some point of time. It’s good to see young people enjoying themselves. Thank you for your concern.”