A Death at Dinner: An amateur sleuth murder mystery (A Mary Blake Mystery Book 2)

by AG Barnett

  Chapter Five

  Mary leaned on the railing of the Juliet balcony of her room and watched the buzz of the street below. An old man was walking an even older-looking dog, a young mother hurried along with two children in front of her and a middle-aged couple stood, hand in hand, looking in the window of an estate agents. Mary sighed. All her life, the opposite sex had been something more akin to a hobby for her. She had had her share of playful dalliances, tempestuous relationships and downright lust-driven indulgences, but never anything serious. Never anything that had meant something to her in the way she had always thought it should have. The character she had played for so many years, Susan Law, had never had a long-term relationship either. The love interest for the fictional detective changed each season in order to keep the viewer entertained and to keep things “fresh.” Was that what Mary was doing? Maybe she saw settling down as something to be feared, something that would rob her of her own identity? But what was her identity now? With her acting career over and enough money in the bank to forge a new path, what was it she wanted from life?

  She sighed as she picked at the peeling paint of the railing. The only thing that had managed to set her pulse racing in years was being involved in solving the recent murder. That was, of course, unless you include Detective Inspector Joe Corrigan. She had met him on the previous case, and he had immediately gotten under her skin. At first annoying her, and then somehow charming her in a way she couldn’t quite define. She felt her cheeks flush for a moment as she suddenly wondered whether she was involving herself in the investigation of another crime in order to raise the chances of seeing him again.

  There was a knock at the door, making her shake herself back into the here and now as she headed across her room to answer it.

  “Miss Blake, my name is Edward Landry and I’m the hotel manager here,” said the man who stood framed in the doorway. “I don’t want to disturb you, but just wanted to let you know how welcome you are and how much we appreciate you attending tomorrow’s charity event.”

  Spencer’s description of Landry flashed through her mind. Fish-faced was a decent phrase for him. He had a thin, pinched look but with puffy, pursed lips that seemed to be permanently pouting even as he spoke. He wore a black suit with a waistcoat and a white carnation in his buttonhole. Mary couldn’t help but feel he was slightly overdressed against the shabby nature of the hotel decor behind him.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Edward, would you like to come in?”

  His eyes widened momentarily in surprise before his resting face of fishy smugness returned.

  “I would be delighted, but I mustn’t stay too long. I have a lot to prepare for tomorrow.”

  “Of course,” Mary said, stepping aside and letting him into the room.

  He stood stiffly, awkwardly. Mary wondered if being in a guest’s room was a more unusual experience for him than she would have thought.

  “So, Edward, how long have you worked at the hotel?”

  “Three years now, we’re gradually getting it back on its feet.”

  “So it had been in trouble when you took over?”

  “Well, I don’t like to speak ill of the previous owners,” he said in a manner that led Mary to believe there was actually nothing he enjoyed more, “but I would say they had let things slide somewhat. We’ve managed to rebuild our reputation though, gradually.”

  “That’s fantastic, and I hear the restaurant has helped in that?”

  His nostrils flared as his overall expression was one of someone who had just smelled something particularly pungent and unpleasant.

  “The restaurant has done very well,” he said in a somewhat forced voice, “but the hotel has been making excellent progress as well. It’s been lovely talking to you, Miss Blake.”

  “Mary, please.”

  “Mary,” a smile flickered onto his lips and then vanished again, “but I really must be going. I look forward to seeing you later.”

  “Yes, me too,” Mary said, closing the door behind him.

  She paused with her hand clasping the doorknob in thought. So, Edward Landry wasn’t a fan of the restaurant? Why would that be? she wondered. Was it just that it was stealing the praise for getting the hotel back on its feet? Or was there something more to it than that?

  Chapter Six

  “It could just be that he doesn’t like the woman who runs it,” Pea said as they descended the wide staircase towards the lobby. “Anna was her name, I think?”

  “Anna Crosby,” Dot replied. “I looked her up while I was waiting for Mary to get ready.” There was an unmistakable undertone to her voice which made it quite clear that she had endured many years of waiting for Mary to “get ready” for things. Mary ignored it.

  “Well? What did you find?”

  “She’s definitely got a good reputation. Loads of articles in the local press saying what a talent she is, and now with this Michelin star, there’s the talk of her on bigger sites online. Looks like she’s making a name for herself in any case.”

  “Right,” Mary said, pausing as they reached the bottom step and looking around the quiet lobby area. “We need to try to get as much information on everyone as we can. Until we see the letters and Spencer starts telling us everything, we’re not going to be able to pin down who’s blackmailing him. It might not even be anyone from here, but it’s a place to start. The more we can work out about his life and the people in it, the more likely we are to stumble across something. OK?”

  “Yes, sir!” Pea barked, pulling off a military salute and standing to attention.

  “Oh, very funny,” Mary said, rolling her eyes and punching him lightly on the arm before heading towards the bar.

  Pea grinned as he rubbed his arm and followed Mary with Dot. “Well, I have to admit, this is more fun than looking after the wretched estate.”

  “Yeah, well, let’s hope it stays fun,” Dot replied darkly.

  “Something bothering you, Dot?” Pea said, his expressive face etched in concern.

  “I know Mary likes to play these games, and it looks like you’ve caught the bug too. Even I got carried away with the idea when I first heard about it. We all just need to remember this could be serious. It could be dangerous. There’s a reason the police handle things like this, you know.”

  “Oh, it will be all right!” Pea said, putting his arm around her. “As soon as we find anything real we can hand it over to the plod. I don’t intend facing up to anyone myself, I’m not built for the old fisticuffs!” As if to prove his point, he jabbed at an imaginary foe with his free left hand. Dot said nothing, but blushed quietly at the warmth of his arm around her shoulders.

  The hotel bar was as quiet as it had been earlier in the day when they had visited. Spencer was leaning against the same spot as then, and Mary wondered if he had actually left in the hours in-between at all. He was surrounded by a small group, all brandishing champagne flutes and chatting amongst themselves. This included the black-eyed barman who was bent over the bar to join the conversation.

  “Mary!” Spencer called when the blonde woman had finished speaking and he had looked up and caught sight of her. “Come on over!”

  The three of them moved over to the group and were introduced.

  There were three women in the group. The most arresting of these was the person currently holding the attention of the others. She talked in an animated and excitable way, her hands gesticulating wildly to illustrate each point. She had tied-back blonde hair, bright wide eyes and an infectious personality that made Mary like her as soon as she saw her. As Spencer guided them over, the woman jumped forward excitedly to tell Mary what a fan she was, taking her hand in an enthusiastic grip and introducing herself as Ruth Faulkner who worked in the hotel restaurant. She was beautiful and full of the kind of vitality people in their mid-twenties have. Something that Mary could now only look back on in envy.

  They were then introduced to Anna Crosby. Around Mary’s age, she had a wide mouth and a high forehead
topped by dark hair tied back in a ponytail. She seemed quiet, shy, and quite unlike Mary’s image of a head chef which, admittedly, was mostly gained from reality television. She had expected her to be a surly and aggressive figure, not the rather meek woman before her.

  The final woman was Daisy White, a young woman who had a round and pleasant face with small features that made her look even younger than she was. She said a self-conscious hello and bobbed a little in a half curtsey. Spencer had mentioned that she was responsible for many of the various jobs around the hotel, but Mary hadn’t expected her to have quite such an air of old-world parlour maid, though she matched the hotel decor well.

  Spencer then moved the introductions on to the men.

  One was a very good-looking young man, all stubbled jaw and lean muscles under his kitchen whites, named Thomas Mosley, another kitchen employee. Then there was a man around mid-thirties with a beak-like nose and a quiff of brown hair. He wore a much more expensive suit than the one donned by the hotel manager, Edward Landry, who stood next to him looking like a cheap knock-off. This was Roderick Sutton, Spencer’s partner in the hotel. He gave them each a firm handshake with strong eye contact and a charming smile.

  “It really is so nice of you to come, it means a lot,” he said as he reached Mary. “Parchester doesn’t get a lot in the way of celebrities and I’m sure your presence will cause a stir in the town.”

  “Oh, I doubt anyone will be making a fuss over me anymore,” Mary said, hoping to come across as modest rather than pathetic.

  “Well, I for one can’t wait to hear all your stories from the set of Her Law, and in particular your recent escapades as a real-life detective!”

  “I’m definitely sure no one wants to hear about that,” she said dismissively as she turned towards Anna Crosby. “Why don’t we talk about this fabulous restaurant of yours instead? I believe congratulations are in order—you were recently awarded a Michelin star?”

  “Oh, yes, that’s right,” stammered Anna, pushing her long dark hair behind her ears.

  “Fully deserved,” Thomas said from her right, the young man’s voice sounding with a curiously flat tone. Anna looked up at him quickly, and then looked away again.

  “Well, it’s really a team effort,” she said in her high-pitched nervous voice.

  “And what can we look forward to on tonight's menu?” Pea asked, grinning as he took glasses of champagne from James the barman and handed them to Mary and Dot.

  “Oh, it’s a surprise actually,” Anna said.

  Thomas gave a small snort and moved behind her to the bar.

  “Oh, Anna won’t care as long as there’s wine with it, eh, Anna?”

  “We’d better be getting back soon, hadn’t we, Anna?” Ruth said suddenly, rather more loudly than was necessary in Mary’s opinion.

  “Oh, right. Yes,” Anna replied. “Better get on.” Anna moved towards the door as Ruth moved to Thomas and whispered something in his ear.

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” he said quietly in response. Mary noticed a worried look on Ruth’s face as she passed to follow her boss out of the room.

  Spencer and Roderick had started up their own conversation and Edward had moved behind the bar in order to talk to James about something or other, so Mary turned her attention to Daisy.

  “So, Daisy, how long have been working here at the hotel?”

  “Oh, a long time!” she answered enthusiastically. “I started straight out of school. My dad used to work here before he retired.”

  “Ah, so a family tradition!”

  The young girl beamed back. Mary guessed her age at around nineteen, but her rounded, plain face could well be making her look younger than she was.

  “Now is not the time!” The group turned as one towards Spencer, whose voice had risen so suddenly.

  “All right, Spencer old chap,” Roderick said, looking at the others with a small smile. “Let’s talk about it later, shall we?”

  Spencer gave a snort of derision and turned away from his partner and back to the group.

  “Shall I get everyone another round of drinks?” Pea said, breaking the tense silence that had followed this exchange.

  There was a murmur of agreement and Dot and Pea made their way to the bar and began talking with the barman and Roderick while Spencer joined Mary and Daisy.

  “Sorry about that,” Spencer said gruffly. “Damn fellow never switches off from business for a second.”

  “Was there some sort of disagreement?” Mary asked innocently.

  “Oh, no. All fine,” Spencer blustered. “Now Daisy, have you been explaining to Mary what a little godsend you are to this place? Because you should have been!”

  Daisy gave a coquettish half-smile and her cheeks coloured slightly. “I just do my job, Mr Harley.”

  “Now now, you know I’ve told you to call me Spencer, and in any case, I’d say it’s more like you do four jobs, never mind one!”

  Daisy gave a nervous laugh.

  “So, come on then,” Mary said, smiling, “what do you do around here?”

  “Oh, well, I organise the cleaners,” she began, as though reading a mental list in her head. “They come from a company in town and I just make sure they’re doing the right bits. Then I’m on reception most of the time, making sure I take the bookings that come in by phone, though most are online these days. And I make sure the rooms are all ready and I get in Andy the odd-job man from town to do bits and…” She looked up, looking embarrassed. “Oh I’m sorry, I can go on a bit!”

  “Don’t be silly!” Mary laughed. “It’s nice to see someone enjoying their job.”

  “Absolutely,” Spencer bellowed. “And the hotel is lucky to have you!”

  “I just hope we can restore it to what it was,” she said in a shaky voice. “That’s what my dad would have wanted.”

  Spencer cleared his throat and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder. “Yes, well. We’ll all do our best, eh?”

  She nodded and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “Excuse me a minute, I just need to go and check on something.”

  Mary watched her go with a tinge of sadness.

  “Poor thing,” Spencer said hoarsely. “Her mother died years ago and her father was all she had left in the world really, well him and this place.”

  “And he died recently?”

  “Just a couple of months ago. Heart attack, poor fellow. The chap had worked here for years. Did odd jobs around the place, even used to go hunting in Parchester Woods for the restaurant!” Spencer said, shaking his head and sighing at the memory of a man he clearly had admired.

  “Well,” Dot said, arriving back with a tray of gin and tonics, “that Roderick is quite a one, isn’t he?”

  “Yes,” Spencer said darkly, “isn’t he?”

  “What were you talking about?” Mary asked as she took one of the glasses, exchanging it for her now-empty champagne flute.

  “Some new business venture he’s part of, property development or something.”

  Spencer coughed suddenly. “Why don’t you all go on through to the restaurant? I’m sure they’re almost ready for us now.” He moved across to the bar where he began talking to James, the barman.

  “Right,” Roderick said, appearing with Pea at his side. “Follow us, ladies!” They moved out into the lobby and towards a door at the back of the room, which led down into a short passage.

  “Obviously the restaurant has a main entrance onto the street as well,” he said as they made their way down the corridor. “The space isn’t much to write home about, but the food is bloody good. I have to give that to Anna.”

  Something in his tone played at the back of Mary’s mind, but she soon dismissed it as they stepped out into the restaurant.

  She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this. In contrast to the shabby, old-world charm of the hotel, the restaurant was trendy to the point of overdoing it. Industrial-looking lamps hung low over the immaculately laid tables, each p
laced a discreet distance from each other. The walls were exposed brick and upper pipework while the floor was polished concrete. The overall feel was one more of a high-end central London restaurant than hotel eatery in a provincial town.

  “We’re here I think,” Roderick said, pointing to a large table that had been set out in the middle of the room. “I just have some calls to make, but I’ll join you soon.” He flashed a smile at them all and then vanished back the way they had come.

  “Blimey, this is all a bit strange, isn’t it?” Mary said as they took their seats. “Where is everyone?” She looked around the empty restaurant.

  “Oh they’ve closed it for the evening for us,” Pea said as he began tearing at a seeded roll from one of the baskets on the table. “James told me, he’s closing the bar up as well in a bit. There are only three guests staying here at the moment, and they’re all passing through on business and have been told the place is basically shutting down tonight.”

  “Well, you’ve been busy,” Mary said, impressed.

  “You’re not the only one who can play sleuth in the family, you know!” he said happily as he bit off a large chunk of buttered roll.

  “There’s something about that Roderick I don’t like,” Dot said flatly.

  “Something?” Mary countered. “I don’t like any of him. He’s all flashy suit and smiles, which generally means he’d stab you in the back as soon as look at you. Spencer seems annoyed with him about something as well.”

  “James doesn’t like him either,” Pea said.

  “The barman?”

  “Yep, when we were at the bar I could almost feel the hate coming off him when Roderick spoke to him. Wouldn’t surprise me if his boss had given him that black eye.”

  “And here’s another odd one,” Dot said in a low voice. Mary turned to see the hotel manager Edward Landry enter with Daisy White in tow.

  “So, here we are,” he said tersely. “What do you think?”