Pop Travel (22 page)

Kadir pressed a palm pad, opening the large set of double doors leading outside. As the bright afternoon sun streamed in, the crowd funneled out behind Kadir and boarded a waiting tram. Taking an outer seat next to an older gentleman escorting a much younger woman, Cooper wondered if the guy was a PTI exec out for a fling, or maybe he brought a sophisticated android. Hard to tell. Those things got more detailed with every new generation.

As the tram smoothly rolled south, Cooper classified the scenery. Old magnolia trees with their large white flowers, towering sycamores, and bell-bottom cypress crowded both sides of the road. The ancient trees and rolling hills were picturesque, but they also blocked his view of the rest of the property. Remembering his map, Cooper oriented himself. The travelport building must be located on the outskirts where the old school house originally stood. To his left, the vegetation grew thicker, and every so often, he saw a small stretch of aged wooden fencing among the trees. He fixed his gaze to confirm the glints of red weren’t just his imagination.
Laser fencing, all right.

When they passed an intersection, Cooper looked down the road to his right. His eyebrows raised at the sight of a pristine, classic Italian sports car parked in an old-fashioned, wooden garage. Several other doors surrounding it were closed. The Creator’s toys, no doubt.
Must be nice.

Soon the tram reached the party grounds and eased to a stop at the end of a long, wooden building that had turned gray from the elements or chemical antiquing agents. Above a set of ten-foot double doors hung a sign that said,
Beasley Hills Stables
. Four decked-out hovercarts were parked underneath the sign.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we hope you enjoy your visit to Beasley Hills Plantation. Please exit to your right,” Kadir said. He sounded like an amusement park ride operator.

The guests disembarked and the tram circled around a flowerbed median, heading back to pick up some more.

As the guests paraded down a covered walk alongside the building, they were greeted by servers wearing colorful Polynesian Island costumes and offering exotic, smoking green drinks with fruit garnishes stabbed by saber picks and gourmet hors d’oeuvres of odd consistencies to sample. Cooper declined the alcohol and appetizers but got snagged with a lei as he picked up a program of events from a table. It included a map of the festivities, like the exotic petting zoo, the individualized six-course dinner, and million-dollar entertainment. The Creator had chosen a fresh new techno-rap band Cooper hadn’t heard of for the guests to digest their dinner to.
Great
.

Though he eagerly wanted to check out the grounds, he kept his pace to an easy stroll. More servers directed the flow of traffic through the tents past the stables. It felt like a circus. Most of the tents contained dozens of round, white-clothed tables decorated with tropical plants and live cockatoos in cages.
Sheesh! Talk about money to burn!

Ignoring the lavish extravaganza, à la Hula Hut, Cooper focused on the guests. He recognized several important political representatives, including Deputy Secretary of Commerce Vivienne Jones. She was talking to Ray Saffioti. Cooper remembered the wily Chief Technology Officer of PTI from the case he had helped try against the company several years ago. When Cooper walked by, he caught a hint of surprise from Mr. Saffioti, who coughed on his drink and whispered to Mrs. Jones. She sniffed and rolled her eyes. The guy seemed rattled. Good.

In the big top tent, more tables were scattered around the outer edges, and a stage stood at the far end with a dance floor in front of it. If his orientation skills were working, the stage backed up to the end of the stables. More Secret Service-type security guards and silver androids tried to look inconspicuous in the corners, silently observing. Talking to the Creator unobserved was not going to be easy.

As Cooper scanned the growing collection of hobnobbers, he did a double take.
Was that? No, it couldn’t be.

But it was. Geri. And she was devastating. Cooper got a chill, excited and dismayed at the same time. As she stood at the other side of the main tent, peering outside through an opening, the sun cast an aura around her, highlighting her exposed, creamy white shoulders and glinting off her auburn hair, piled on top of her head with teasing strands hanging down. In contrast, her deep purple dress left explorable shadows from perfect curves he hadn’t noticed on a woman in a long time.

Drawn to her, Cooper wanted to approach and forget this whole mess. But to keep her safe, he knew he should to avoid her and keep her from getting involved. She would also be a tantalizing distraction, slowing him down. He’d never be able to concentrate on his investigation with her around, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away. She was so beautiful. A midnight purple vision, with luscious lips and those magnetic eyes.

Then it was too late. He had stared for too long and she caught him. She gave him an animated wave.

“Come over here,” she mouthed to him and changed her wave to an encouraging summons.

He sighed and obeyed.

“J.L.! I’m so glad you’re hee-ya! And look how handsome you are! I was utterly disappointed when I didn’t hear from you this afternoon. I called to offer you a ticket, but here you are! How evah did you manage it?” Her hands emphasized each phrase, making him smile. Checking him out, she smiled back.

“Thank you, Ms. Harper. I have friends in high places. It’s nice to see you again, too. You look enchanting.” She smelled great, too.

“Geri. You must call me Geri. Oh, I see. Hush, hush. I understand completely,” she answered with a wink.

“What about you? How did you get two tickets?”

“Let’s walk, shall we?” She linked arms with him and led him out from under the tents. The late afternoon sun beat down, strong and bright, as they wandered in and out of shade pockets from the majestic old trees. Would have been a lovely first date.

“Well, J.L. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t up to sayin’ anything at our first meetin’. I’m not usually such a forward person, you know. But after speakin’ with you at length, I judged you to be honest and respectable. I admired your propriety.” She halted their stroll to look him in the eyes. “I also believe we share an attraction to the romance and history of the Old South. I am trustin’ my instincts that you are a true gentleman, after my own heart.”

She put her hand to her chest and gazed at him with innocent, soulful eyes. He was a goner if he didn’t find a way to lose her. So irresistible.

“Thank you?” Cooper said, not sure how to respond to her declaration.

His answer must have been satisfactory because she resumed their walk and conversation.

“I have my own connections. My daddy is on the board of the Historical Preservation Society of Georgia. He helped in the overseein’ of the reconstruction of the Creator’s manor house.”

“Oh. Is your father here?” Cooper glanced around. That could be the break he needed to sneak away from her. Cooper would love to get to know her better, but he couldn’t drag her into his dilemma. Terrible timing.

“Oh, no. He is always invited to these galas and frequently declines. After attendin’ a party with him a few years ago, I had no desire to return either. The air of competition is too highbrow and ingenuous for my taste. Until this evenin’, that is.” She gave his arm a squeeze.

“Disingenuous,” Cooper said under his breath.

“Hmm?”

“Nothing. This must be my lucky day.” He glanced at his QV. He had to start dropping hints so he could get on with his mission.

Geri led him over to a rustic, wooden, split-rail fence. She turned to him, putting her hands behind her and leaned back on it. Every position accentuated her allure. Cooper turned away and thought of baseball stats.

“Have you seen the house yet?” she asked.

“No. I didn’t think you could see it from here with all the landscaping.”

“Sure, we can. Follow me.”

He did. He could stay with her a little longer.

When they reached a gate, Cooper unlatched it and held it open for her. He followed her up a small hill and she pointed.

There, between patches of mature trees, stood the magnificent, three-story antebellum plantation house, brilliant white with black shutters, complete with majestic columns. Stairs led up to the porch that ran along the length of the front, and he could see a second-floor balcony. The thick oak alley leading up to the house blocked his view of the drive, but the white mansion rose in pristine splendor.

“Isn’t it glorious?” Geri asked with a sigh.

“Amazing,” Cooper replied. But trying to determine how far the building extended out on the side where the kitchen should be preoccupied him. The new, larger house might reach over to the location of the old outer kitchen, but he couldn’t tell for sure.

Guesstimating, he judged the distance from the stables to the house to be about half a mile. Farther out, he could see glimpses of other buildings. And off to the left, over the trees, he spotted a few banners blowing in the slight breeze.
Something every kid should have, his own baseball stadium.

“Before the Creator moved in, I was able to see some of the inside renovations. It is decorated in a contemporary style but it incorporates some of the restored, original antique furniture and art. It’s really extraordinary,” Geri said, interrupting his survey.

“Too bad no one gets to see it now.”

“Yes. Only private dinner parties for the executives and politicians. I believe the President was here a couple of years ago.”

“No kidding.” Over at the tent, he noticed the din had quieted down.

Kadir spoke over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen. If I could please have your attention. Please make your way to the main tent. The Creator would like to welcome you all personally. Thank you. Please come this way.”

“We should go back.” Cooper put his arm out for her to go first.

“Of course.” Geri smiled and started back.

Cooper followed. Geri sure filled out that dress.

Everyone crowded in. Just inside the flaps, Geri stopped, but Cooper kept moving. With so many people, he hoped they might get separated as the guests shuffled around for good viewing positions. He offered to let people squeeze between them, but she stuck to his side like a burr. He would have to try again later. He gave her a weak smile, then focused on the stage.

Cooper knew the Creator was a young man, but seeing him up close, he could have passed for a senior in high school. While stragglers still scooted around finding vantage points, Cooper saw the Creator tilt his head with impatience and begin his performance. He raised his arms and shouted.

“My people!”

Everyone cheered. His stood tall in a white tunic, trimmed with a wide, embroidered pattern, which hung open, exposing a black t-shirt underneath, his hair smoothed back into a ponytail.

“How excellent of you to come! Thank you!” He put his hands together and bowed. For jewelry, the Creator wore a fat gold ring on his left hand and a simple diamond stud earring. Nothing too flashy, like many of his younger guests with their sparkly baubles and chains.

The Creator straightened back up and continued.

“You can put the presents over there,” he joked, pointing to a table.

The crowd roared with exaggerated laughter. He raised his hands again to quiet them. “But seriously, enjoy the party. Just don’t wander too far, the laser fences are on,” he warned with a big grin.

The throng laughed again.

Then he stared into the sea of faces and added, “I mean it.”

The crowd hushed.

He burst into boisterous laughter and the audience chuckled back cautiously.

Strange sense of humor.

The Creator waved as he left the stage and fans inundated him as soon as he descended the steps. The rest of the crowd dispersed. Two burly personal guards stood by the Creator’s side at all times. That confirmed it. Cooper would not be able to get the Creator alone at the party.

And there really was laser fencing. Not just a rumor. That was good to know; he couldn’t just stroll up to the house and sneak in the back door.

Turning to Geri, he also remembered he still needed to lose his new sidekick, as much as it pained him. Her charms both annoyed and attracted him. Maybe she could get him an introduction. Then he could wander away to check out the stables while she talked the Creator’s ear off.

“Have you met him?” he asked.

“No. Have you?” She cocked her head to look up at him.

He couldn’t help smiling.

“No. But I’d like to.” They both watched the insistent group surrounding the Creator. The security guards straightened the mob into an orderly line. They looked like a gaggle of kids waiting to get their picture taken with Mickey Mouse. The line stretched halfway down the tent.

“He looks unapproachable.” Geri put on a disappointed pout.

“He will have to take a break some time,” Cooper said more to himself.

“But the guards never leave him alone. Even in the restroom.”

“Guess I’m not surprised.” He wanted to be alone to think through his plan and search the grounds. “Well, I’m going to take a walk.”

“You won’t go near the fence, right?”

“No,” he said, and his shoulders drooped.

“Mind if I join you?”

He sighed, with no good reason to say no. He would just have to suffer, stuck with her to distract him for a little longer.

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged, but her company also gave him a strange confidence.
If only another time and place.

They exited the tent and drifted toward the stables. He discreetly looked around for cameras, hoping she didn’t notice.

Geri grabbed his arm and spoke in a whisper.

“Uh, oh. Look over they-ah.” She pointed to a large oak at the fence.

Nestled in the trunk, hidden by a patch of shade, a young couple succumbed to a passionate embrace. Cooper spotted a camera hanging from a high corner of the stables pointed in the couple’s direction. The nosy peepers were prying on them.

Not a bad idea.
Her touch had intensified his attraction. Shaking it off, he nodded at Geri to go toward the front of the stables. She followed his lead. They strolled under the preoccupied camera, staying close to the bushes surrounding the building. Past the front of the stables, they could see the road the tram had taken from the transport house. As they reached the corner, Cooper got a better look at the hovercarts. They were similar to golf carts, completely open, but with high-tech compucenters in the dashboard.