“Maybe not,” Mom said, “but it’s nice when they ask.” She sent me a pointed look.
“What?” I held up my hands.
“Nothing. So, which room do we search first? The bridal party cottage or Shelby and her foolish groom?”
I thought for a moment. “Both, but the cottage first. I doubt she’ll move any incriminating evidence to the room she shares with Lawrence. He doesn’t strike me as a dumb man.” Rather smart, in fact. Which made his putting up with Shelby’s shenanigans all the more confusing. Could she have something to hold over his head that could ruin him financially or his standing in the community? We’d definitely find the time to check both places.
“Ta-da!” Cherokee burst in and dropped a plastic key card on the coffee table. “I didn’t have to do anything. This card was lying on the front desk next to the computer.”
I wondered who it belonged to. It was possible the card had been wiped clean, but since it had the words ‘Master’ printed on the front, it was worth a try. “Mom, come with me and be the lookout.”
Cherokee huffed. “Why can’t I come? I stole the key.”
“And I feel terrible about turning you into a thief. I don’t want to add breaking and entering to my faults as an aunt.” I stuck the card under my bra strap. “Why don’t you do some digging on the computer. Research the Grangers and Shelby Richards. Lawrence, too, if you have time. If you find something interesting, I’ll pay you twenty dollars.”
“Deal!” She sat in front of my laptop as Mom and I left.
We turned right toward the bridal cottage. A quick glimpse into the restaurant window confirmed the cottage was empty. The gals drank mimosas like water.
“This is the kind of mystery I don’t mind solving,” Mom said, taking up her position next to the door.
“How so?” I slid the card into the slot in the door.
“We haven’t been in danger once.”
I enjoyed that aspect, myself. “Whistle if someone comes.” The light in the slot glowed green, and I opened the door. The place, decorated the same as our cottage, looked as if a tornado had blown through. Women’s clothing was draped over every available surface and puddled on the floor. I pitied the maid service.
“You know I can’t whistle.”
“Then make bird calls.” I closed the door, but not far enough for the lock to engage.
Eight, well, now seven, women occupied the space. That put three in each room. Which one Shelby had stayed in was anybody’s guess. I entered the one on my right first. It had more clothes strewn around than the living room. This was going to take a while.
I opened every drawer, looked in every cabinet, and in every trash can. Nada. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but whatever it was, I wasn’t finding it. No vials of sea water or containers of nicotine. No gun, knife, or other such weapon. I perched on the edge of one of the beds. I’d even snooped in six makeup bags and found nothing more deadly than a pair of cuticle scissors.
“Caw, caw!”
I exhaled sharply at Mom’s attempt to make a bird call. I hurried to the door and slipped outside seconds before being spotted by the bridal party.
A tall brunette scowled. “What are you doing outside of our cottage?”
“Your cottage. I thought—” I peered at the number next to the door. “My bad. We have the wrong cottage.” At least the place was such a mess, they’d never know someone had been snooping inside.
“Find anything?” Mom glanced over her shoulder as we strode toward the main building.
“Just a mess. If Shelby is the guilty party, she either disposed of the evidence or took it with her.”
“I haven’t seen hide nor hair of her or her fiancé. What do we do if they stay holed up in their room?”
“Maybe we can think of a reason for Matt to interrogate them somewhere other than their room.” Of course, with nothing to go on but suspicions, that wasn’t likely.
“Tonight is the semi-formal get together. If they come out of their room, that will be the time.”
I agreed, and I couldn’t wait to put on a pretty dress and lay claim to my man in front of the bridal gals. Being outside Amber’s room earlier let them know Matt wasn’t a regular guest. With no need for any such pretense anymore, it wouldn’t hurt to let everyone know we are an item.
We changed course and headed back to our cottage where Matt waited, asleep on the sofa, and Wayne cuddled with a very happy Angela. I stared down at my honey, regretting the fact he was spending his recuperation time knee-deep in a murder. It remained a mystery why such a man loved a woman who attracted trouble, yet he did.
He cracked open an eye and smiled, holding a hand out to me. “Lay with me.”
I grinned and spread out next to him, eagerly awaiting the time we could do this every night, without my giggling sister sitting a few feet away. “Have a nice rest?” I caressed his cheek. Stubble rasped against my palm.
“A little. Where were you?”
“Snooping in the bridal party cottage. Didn’t find a thing.”
“Okay. This room has gotten too gross.” Cherokee sat in the bend of my knees and squirmed to find enough room to sit. “You owe me twenty bucks.”
I struggled to a sitting position. “What did you find out?”
“Seth Granger used to work for Boyd Industries as an accountant. Guess who his secretary was? Yep! Shelby Richards. Seth quit working there last year, no reason why, and Shelby started cozying up to Lawrence. What do you want to bet that Seth found out something about Lawrence that needed hushing up?” She held out her hand.
“Good job.” I fished a twenty from my purse. “Now, we need to find out exactly why Seth quit Boyd Industries. We need back in Amber’s room.” I turned to Matt. “Can you get us past the yellow tape?”
He laughed. “Like that’s ever stopped you before. But, yes, I can. Rodriguez has asked for mine and Wayne’s unofficial help on these murders.” He got to his feet and helped me up. “Let’s go snooping. Your favorite pastime.”
“Doubly so when I’m going with you.”
With our fingers entwined, we headed to the second floor of the main building and ducked under the yellow crime scene tape strung across Amber’s door. I bet that sent shivers up and down Cheri’s spine every time she had to see the reminder of bad publicity.
Matt handed me a pair of rubber gloves. “I know this is probably futile. You and your mother most likely touched everything in here.”
A good part. Oh, why hadn’t someone taken care of the stench? “How do you breathe?”
“I’ve smelled worse.” He pulled a wrinkled paper mask from his pocket. “A gift.”
“I love you.” I couldn’t put it on fast enough. It didn’t alleviate the smell, but it did fade it some. Enough, at least, that I could tolerate being in the room. I left the gross side of the room to Matt and headed for Amber’s suitcases. From the tossed clothing, something I hadn’t seen evidence of when Amber was alive, someone had already dug through her things. What were they looking for and had they found it?
I emptied the suitcase, ignoring Matt’s grunts of disapproval. I wrote mysteries. I knew things were not always what they seemed. After several seconds of careful feeling, I found it. A false bottom. “Matt.”
He peered over my shoulder. “Clever girl. That’s why I love you.”
“The only reason?”
“Nah, you’re pretty.”
I lifted the bottom to reveal several sheets of printed pages. “Let’s get these back to the cottage and look through them. Should we put the suitcase back together?”
“Nope. I want the killer to know we’re on to them. Hopefully, it will flush them out of hiding.” He tweaked my nose. “Just don’t drink any coffee you didn’t prepare yourself and no bubble baths.”
“That, my dear, is a bad joke.” I grabbed the papers and followed Matt out the door. Outside, I removed the mask and shoved it in my pocket. A girl never knew when she might need one.
�
�I feel like we’ve won the lottery.” I did a little jig.
“Feeling frisky today, Miss Nelson?” Cheri gave a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Since you visited poor Mrs. Granger’s room, I was hoping you would give the all clear so we could clean it and resume business as usual.”
My good mood evaporated. “It’s all about the mighty dollar to you, isn’t it?” I frowned.
She shrugged and sighed. “I have a job to do. One I’m very good at.” Her smile returned. “Well?”
“I’ll speak to Officer Rodriguez,” Matt said. “I’m sure we can release the room soon.”
“Thank you.” She laid a hand on his arm. “You’re a kind man. Let me know if there is anything you need. Don’t forget our semi-formal dinner and dance tonight”
She strolled away, leaving me as if I’d been in the presence of a shark.
“Creepy.” She might look like a fashion model, but there was definitely something off about the resort’s manager.
“Dinner and dance?” Matt’s face paled. “I didn’t bring anything to wear to that.”
I laughed and tugged him toward a boutique I’d spotted next to the gift shop. “Let me buy you a suit.”
8
I slipped into the little black dress I’d packed and put my hair in a stylish French twist. A slab of scarlet lipstick, my feet in strappy black sandals, and I was ready for a night out with my man. I couldn’t wait to see him in the charcoal suit I’d bought him. He’d fussed, but I saw his eyes light up when he spotted it hanging on the rack. Why did most men make a big deal about a woman purchasing something for them?
Matt stood in the living room, and he was worth every cent, even with his arm in a sling. Wheat-colored hair slicked back from his handsome face. Just a trace of stubble on his strong cheeks, and those amazing chocolate-colored eyes. Be still my heart.
“You look beautiful,” I said.
“If I look half as amazing as you do, then I’m happy to be wearing a monkey suit. A very nice one, by the way. Thank you.” He crooked his arm. “Ready? The others will meet us in the ballroom.”
“The resort has a ballroom?” Fancy.
“Yep. We even managed to get your nephew into dress clothes.”
“This I have to see.”
The night carried a slight chill. Another reminder that fall was settling in. Vapor rose from the heated pool and hot tub, lending a mysterious air to the evening. A cloudless sky formed the perfect backdrop for millions of stars. The evening couldn’t be more romantic.
One glimpse through the door of the ballroom told me it could. Every guest must have decided to attend. A romantic evening would be alone time with Matt. Instead, I plastered on a smile, gripped Matt’s arm tighter, and sailed through the throng toward the large round table my family had confiscated.
Sure enough, Dakota wore a burgundy dress shirt and tie with dark washed blue jeans. Dressed up for my skateboarding nephew. Cherokee was in a simple spaghetti strapped dress that shimmered with blues and purples when she moved. Angela, was barely dressed in a dress that matched my lipstick. Maryann was sunny in a golden gown that flounced at the knee. Mom had opted for a royal blue sheath dress. Wayne looked uncomfortable in a navy suit.
“My, we clean up nice.” I hung my purse on the back of my chair and slid onto the seat Matt pulled out for me.
“Isn’t this lovely.” Mom smiled. “A catered dinner and dancing. Too bad I’m a single wheel.”
“I’ll dance with you, Grandma.” Dakota patted her hand. “It’s better than dancing with my sister.”
“Shut up.” Cherokee rolled her eyes. “As if I’d dance with a fungus like you.” She smiled at her camera and took a selfie. Her smile turned to a pout the moment after she snapped the picture. “This whole night is lame. This whole vacation is lame.” She sighed as if life was horrible and propped her chin in the palm of her hand. “We need more action.”
I sincerely hoped she didn’t mean of the murderous type. “We’re hiking tomorrow.”
“Oh, goody. Maybe we’ll see a bear.” Sarcasm dripped from her words.
“Be careful what you wish for.” My attention diverted to the entrance where Shelby, gorgeous is a form-fitting dress of ice blue, hung on Lawrence’s arm. She looked every bit the happy bride-to-be. Unfortunately for her, I’d seen her dark side.
She flashed a grin toward our table, and motioned for, I’m guessing Matt or Wayne, to call her. I groaned and shook my head. The woman was shameless. “Didn’t she hear you say she was a murder suspect? She knows you’re both cops.”
“I doubt she cares.” Matt shrugged out of his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair. “If she gets me in her clutches, I wonder what I might get poisoned with.”
“That’s too scary to contemplate.”
Servers in white jackets set bowls of bread on each table, then made the rounds with small plates of salad. In a far corner, a band tuned their instruments. From the age of the members, I guessed we’d be hearing easy listening songs very soon.
I poured a cranberry vinaigrette on my salad and wondered what had gone so wrong with a couple of weeks intended to help us get over the horror of Cherokee’s abduction. Why couldn’t I go anywhere, do anything, without running into a murder? Was this my fate in life? What about when I was old? Was I the future Miss Marples?
“Why so serious?” Matt peered into my face. “It’s a party.”
“Just thinking. Have you ever wondered how I get into these messes? All. The. Time?”
“You’re talented.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “I’ve come to accept it.”
I bumped him with my shoulder. “Very funny.”
The next course was filet with parmesan crusted asparagus as a side. Yum! The fact the meal was included in our cost added to the flavor.
“Is everything to your liking?” Cheri stopped, placing a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “We want your stay here to be very pleasant.” She glanced at me. “You may pick up your packed lunch in the restaurant kitchen before your hike.”
“Thank you.”
“And, Miss Nelson? Please take your friend with you.” She motioned her head to where Rusty hovered in the doorway, wearing his overalls and a red bow tie with white polka dots. “I’m getting complaints about him.” She took a deep breath and moved to the next table.
I waved for Rusty to join us. He glanced at Cheri, seemed to wait until she’d moved another table away, then joined us, pulling up an empty chair. “That woman yelled at me.”
“Just stay away from her, pal.” Matt clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re going hiking in the morning. Come with us.”
He nodded. “I’ll keep the bears away.” He pulled a whistle from his pocket and put it to his lips. The shrill sound turned everyone’s frowning attention our way.
“That’ll work.” Matt pulled it away from Rusty’s lips. “Save it for the woods.”
Rusty finished off the bread in the basket, his salad, then his dinner in that order and quicker than I’ve ever seen anyone eat. When finished, he belched, wiped his hands on his overalls, and limped quickly from the table to “keep an eye on things” or so he said.
I hoped Cheri wasn’t too rough on him. He meant well.
By the time we’d finished dinner and started on a cherry chocolate cheesecake, the band started playing. Matt took my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor and into a foxtrot that took us to the other side. “Do you mind if we mosey closer to the lovebirds?”
Shelby and Lawrence conversed in quiet tones, heads together, as they swayed to the music. Through another door, I spotted Rusty spying through the leafy branches of a silk ficus tree.
“Tell me you had nothing to do with Seth Granger’s death,” Lawrence asked Shelby.
She peered up at him. “I promise. We had nothing but a fling.”
“For over a year.” He gave her a grin without humor. “I’m not sure how much longer I can tolerate your infidelities. I have grand plans for my future. I need a
wife above reproach.”
“I can be that wife, dear.” She planted a heavy kiss on his lips. “No one stirs your blood as I do. Don’t worry. No one will ever find out what Seth knew about Boyd Industries. I’ve destroyed any evidence left behind.”
Except several sheets of paper stashed in a dead woman’s suitcase. Once Matt and I figured out what they meant, a certain slutty bride was going to jail for murder.
Matt twirled me past them. “We don’t want to make them suspicious.”
“I’m the one who’s suspicious. She all but confessed.”
“She did say some incriminating things, but we still have time to determine whether she’s the killer or not.” He put a finger on my lips to stop my protest. “Oh, she’s guilty, sweetheart. I’m just not exactly sure of what. Can we sit? Dancing the foxtrot with a bum arm is painful.”
“Yes, but you owe me at least one slow dance.”
“You got it.”
“I’m glad Rusty is going hiking with us,” Dakota said the moment we sat down. “I was talking to him earlier about our favorite television shows, and he likes Discovery and National Geographic. He knows a lot about bears and cougars.” He sipped a Dr. Pepper. “For bears, you have to make a lot of noise. If it’s a brown bear, you play dead. If it’s a black bear, you pretend to be bigger than you are. They’re actually scared of us. Cougars…well, they won’t attack a large group, but will stalk if a person is alone.”
“He said all that?” I plopped onto my seat. “In complete sentences?”
He looked taken aback. “He talks all the time, Aunt Stormi. All you have to do is listen. He snores like a train, though. Don’t ever share a room with him.”
I laughed. “I’ll remember that.”
A screeching came from the direction I’d last spotted Rusty. With Matt on my heels, I rushed that way in time to see Shelby wagging a finger in Rusty’s face.
“I swear, you idiot, if you don’t stop spying on me, you’ll meet the same fate as the Grangers!”
“That’s enough.” Matt pulled her away and thrust her toward Lawrence, who was just joining us. “Control her, or I will lock her up.”
Nosy Neighbor: All 7 complete Nosy Neighbor cozy mysteries PLUS: 2 short Christmas stories (A Nosy Neighbor mystery) Page 79
