Michaels, Skye - Mikaela's Debut [The Black Dahlia Hotel 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Skye Michaels

of this, you’ll have a friend in Congress.”
    “No need to thank me. I know how I felt when Harper and I had a problem a couple of years ago. That helpless feeling sucks. I’ll talk to you soon.”

Chapter Nine
     
    A suite at the Chicago Hilton, Chicago, Illinois, Wednesday morning, December 30, 2015
     
    The next morning, Dillon and Mikaela had an early room-service breakfast in the suite. He could see that she still looked tired and was very upset. They had slept through the night, so she should be feeling better this morning. This situation was eating deep, and he wanted to do something to bring her out of it.
    “Mikki, Jamie wanted to know if we’re coming back for the New Year’s cruise. What do you think?”
    “I don’t know, Dillon. I’m not really up for a social situation.”
    “Mik, I think being inaccessible on a tightly secured ship is the perfect place for us right now. We can talk about what to do with Morgan and Jamie—and Jack and Kaylin will be back from Bermuda and taking the cruise to Cozumel as well. Jamie says the ship has a top-notch security team. If something pops up on YouTube we will know about it, but no one will be able to get to you for a comment.”
    “You’re right. If Maggie posts another video on YouTube, the press and paparazzi will be shut out, and we will be with friends.”
    “Okay. I’ll book us flights back to Fort Lauderdale. I had a thought. Why don’t you call your loving cousin just to say hello and happy holidays. See how she sounds. Do you think you can act like you don’t know it’s her? Can you keep it together?”
    “I think so. Let’s finish breakfast while I figure out what to say.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Mikaela was nervous. She didn’t know if she could act like nothing was wrong. She dialed Maggie’s cell phone. She took a couple of deep breaths while it rang and she waited for Maggie to answer. When she heard Maggie’s voice, she said, “Hi, cousin. I just wanted to say a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. How are you? I haven’t seen you since Mom and Dad’s memorial service.”
    “I’m okay. How are you?”
    “Better now. Dillon and I came down to Florida for a Christmas wedding of some friends, and the weather here is great.”
    “That sounds like fun.” Mikaela didn’t hear the ‘happy to hear from you’ vibe in Maggie’s voice.
    “You don’t sound so good, Maggie. What’s up?”
    “Oh, the usual bullshit. My laptop just tanked with all of my business and personal stuff on it.”
    “Oh no. Did you take it to a computer guy to see if they can save it?”
    “Yeah. I have a friend who is in IT. No dice. It’s totally fried. Everything is gone.”
    “I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you want me to lend you money for a new one?”
    “No. I’ve got it covered. I have insurance. Apparently my apartment was broken in to and it was taken along with some other stuff.”
    So, that was the story she was going with. Defraud the insurance company for a new computer. That sounded about right. “I’m glad you’re okay then. How’s work?”
    “Same old, same old. You know the holiday season in retail. It’s insane.”
    “Well, Dillon and I are going on a cruise to Cozumel with some friends, so I’ll be out of touch until the first week of January. Have a good New Year’s. Remember when I came down to the city for your Y2K party? That was a blast. I’ll never forget it. I felt so…I don’t know…grown-up and mature.”
    “Really. That was a good time. Have fun on your cruise. I’ll be in touch.”
    “Thanks. Have a good New Year.” Mikaela disconnected the call and turned to Dillon. “She sounded upset. I think she might have discovered the tape and DVD are gone. She said she was going to say her laptop had been stolen and make an insurance claim.”
    “Interesting.”
    “Really. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in her apartment.” She would bet big bucks that her older cousin was ranting and raving about