“What did he say?” I asked.
“I got his voice mail.”
For crying out loud! Was nothing going to go right? “Then, call someone else! Dakota or Maryann.”
“I will as soon as…Yes? 911? Thank you, Jesus. We’re trapped in a basement that’s on fire at the Mountain Springs Resort. At least, I think it’s on fire. I fear we’ll probably be dead by the time you get here, but I was told to make the call…I’m sorry. I can’t stay on the line. I have other calls to make. Hurry, please.” She sighed. “I can feel you rolling your eyes, Stormi, but you know I’m right. It will take the fire department at least twenty minutes to get here, and I can feel the smoke tickling my throat. I’ll be coughing next, then dying of smoke inhalation.”
“You’re just the bearer of grave news, aren’t you?” I clutched the evidence to my chest in a vain effort to gain some comfort.
“Hold that thought. My phone is ringing. It’s Wayne.” Mom repeated her message. “Okay, he’s coming.”
Tears rolled down my face. Tears I chose to chalk up to the smoke rather than the fact I’d almost lost hope. “Matt?”
“I’m here. Trying to find something to break the window.”
I thought my eyes had adjusted to the dark, but realized now that a weak light shined from where Matt stood. A face appeared at the window. Mom gasped.
I’d never been so happy to see Rusty in my life. Seconds later, the glass shattered, and welcome air rushed in.
“Window is too small,” Rusty said.
“Even for me?” I moved forward quickly, taking deep breaths.
“Yep. Wayne is looking for door.” He disappeared.
Matt placed his good arm around me. “See? Nothing to worry about.”
“Except for the fact that no matter what I do, someone will try to kill me.”
“Well, we were snooping.”
“Thanks for pointing that out.” I rested my cheek against his chest that rumbled with laughter. “Does this mean that Shelby is our killer?”
“It does raise her and Boyd to the top of the list.”
Light from an industrial flashlight flooded the room. “Y’all ready to come out?” Wayne’s voice was the sweetest thing I’d heard in a good long while. “There was no fire, just a smoking pile of rags.”
A warning, perhaps? Did this mean we were getting close to finding the culprit? I wanted to confront Shelby in the worst way. If she was the one to lock us down here, I wanted to punch her in the throat. Not that I would, unless she came at me, but I’d let the desire simmer for a few minutes, then stomp it down with reason and the threat of jail.
By the time we stepped outside, the rain had stopped, a fire truck was roaring onto the property, and a crowd had gathered. Their reflections shimmered in rain puddles. I couldn’t help but think how much like a murder mystery scene the night portrayed.
I shoved the evidence into Matt’s arms and allowed a hunky fireman to strap an oxygen mask to my nose and mouth. Oh, the sweet oxygen.
Other firemen rushed to check the building for safety. Guests milled around, staring at me, Mom, and Matt as if we were exotic creatures in a tank.
Angela marched toward me, a murderous look on her face. She grabbed my mask, pulled it away from my face, and released it. It snapped against my skin with a stinging whap.
“Ow! What was that for?” I moved the mask, more tenderly than she had.
She crossed her arms. “We may fight. A lot. But, I do love you. Would you please stop standing at death’s door, knocking to get in?”
“You were worried?” A warmth rose in my heart, chasing away the chill from an evening soaked with rain.
“You had Mom with you. Of course I was worried.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and flounced away, leaving me with a grin on my face and feeling loved.
Officer Rodriguez stormed by and gave me a stern glance. He probably thought I was somehow responsible for the night’s events. Maybe I was. I removed my oxygen mask and followed him. If I stayed on the outskirts of the crowd, maybe I could eavesdrop while he questioned other people.
He approached Cheri first, probably because she was the resort manager. He stepped to a patio table and motioned for her to sit. Perfect. A nearby bush gave me a wonderful vantage point.
“I promise you, Officer Rodriguez,” Cheri said, folding her hands in her lap. “I have no idea how the door to the basement got locked. Guests are not allowed down there. We use it strictly for storage.”
“What about the paraphernalia for making concentrated nicotine?” His pencil poised over his pad.
“Another mystery.” She tilted her head. “Am I a suspect?”
“Everyone, other than the three in the basement, and Detective Jones, are persons of interest. That includes you, Miss Mason.”
“I never should have allowed that Nelson woman and her group to rent a cottage from me. It’s not as if everyone in the state of Arkansas hasn’t heard how trouble follows her.” Cheri exhaled heavily, then stood. “Are we finished here? I have things to tend to.”
“For now.” After she left, he parted the bush. “You can come out now.”
“How did you know I was there?”
You reek of smoke.” He glanced to where Cheri approached an older couple. “So did she.” A muscle ticked in his jaw.
“Any reason why she would?”
“Well, she did go to the basement to see things for herself, she says.” He slid his notepad into his pocket. “Try not to get killed on my watch, Miss Nelson.” He strolled away as if his words were nothing more than casual conversation.
Cheri and Shelby took turns being my primary suspect. I made a mental note to interview each of them very soon.
Rodriguez approached a group of resort employees next. I didn’t bother to hide this time. Instead, I fished my private investigator’s badge from my purse and clipped it to my waistband. If I were lucky, the employees would think I was a legitimate person in the investigation, instead of a recently cleared person of interest.
Officer Rodriguez wrote down names, even Bertolinni’s, who hung on the outskirts. I swerved and stood in front of the ex-chef.
“You were spotted disappearing with one of the guests a while ago. Mind telling me where you were going?” I put on my sternest face, which I’d been told wasn’t very stern. Still, it was all I had.
“Can’t a man meet a pretty lady for a little rendezvous without getting the third degree?” His eyes practically disappeared under the weight of his eyebrows as they drew together in a scowl.
I shrugged. “You were followed by Cheri Mason. Were you aware of that fact?”
He said a word I couldn’t repeat, then ran both hands through his thick hair. “That woman has her nose in everyone else’s business. I no longer work here. Remind her that she fired me and that my life is now private.”
“Was it not private before?”
“Not even a little bit. She has a curfew for the workers, we can’t fraternize with each other, and we have to let her know days in advance if we’re leaving the resort for any reason. She takes her job a little too seriously. If it weren’t for the murder investigation, I’d have been sent packing ten minutes after getting fired. It’s all about the money to her.” He leaned closer. “I’ve often suspected that she pinches pennies this hard so she can divert some to her personal account.”
I followed his gaze over my shoulder.
Cheri glared at us from twenty feet away.
13
After a sleepless night dreaming of bear attacks and dark basements, I sat by the silent pool and nursed a cup of coffee. It might not be the same frozen blend I got from my friend, Norma, but it was cold, mocha flavored, and full of caffeine.
In less than a week, if the local authorities allowed, my family and I would head home where it was relatively safe. I’d leave that instant if my niece and nephew weren’t so set on cramming the remaining days full of fun. Ziplining, horseback riding, and other activities to show me
just how out of shape I’d become. Still, our vacation had been anything but. We deserved some fun before heading home.
The trick would be staying alive that long.
“Hey, beautiful.” Matt lowered himself into a lounge chair next to me. “Sleep okay?”
I shook my head. “Too much garbage up here.” I tapped my head.
“We could question some people and, either add or detract, from all those thoughts.” He smiled, sending my heart fluttering. I prayed he would always have the effect of making me lose coherent thought with one glance into his amazing eyes.
“We could talk about it over breakfast.”
A dimple appeared in his right cheek. “Do you mind if we choose a table to ourselves?”
“You read my mind.” I stood, holding out my hand to help him to his feet. “We’ve had very little alone time since you arrived.” At home, we spent many hours cuddled together on the sofa, pretending to watch television.
If I was involved in a mystery, we didn’t go out much. A simple dinner at a restaurant had proven to be too hazardous. Not to mention the restaurant managers asked us not to come back. After several busted windows and bullet holes, they feared their insurance rates would escalate too high for them to pay. Not to mention the many times Matt went away for undercover work. Needless to say, when we had the opportunity for alone time, we took it.
“What about ordering in?” I asked.
“I’d love that, but going to the dining room allows us to scope out who we want to interview.”
I linked my arm with his. “You’re so smart.” I grinned up at him. “That’s why I love you.”
“The only reason?”
“Nah, your kisses are pretty spectacular.”
After he took a few minutes to prove just how wonderful his kisses were, we headed to breakfast. I spotted the group of bridesmaids right away, minus Shelby, of course. I doubted Lawrence would allow her out of his sight anytime soon.
“I want to ask Lara, the blond, a few questions,” I said, as I sat across from Matt. I explained to him about seeing her, the former chef, and Cheri while I’d snooped in Shelby’s suite.
“Sounds good. Anyone else?”
I scanned the room. “It wouldn’t hurt to ask the maids a few questions. They usually see much more than they let on.”
“Rodriguez questioned them.”
“But, they might talk to me easier than they would him.”
“Agreed.” He winked. “That’s why I love you. You’re so smart.”
I laughed and grabbed our plates. “You sit and I’ll get our breakfast. It’s easier for me to carry these than it is you with one arm. I’ll get you some of everything.” Including slices of ham the new chef was carving. He didn’t look old enough to be out of culinary school.
I waited until the line dissipated and stepped up to the counter. “Two slices of ham on this plate, and one on this plate, please.” I flashed a grin. “You’re new…” I peered at his name tag. “Evan. How do you like it here?”
He glanced over my shoulder. “It’s good.”
“Wonderful. Are the other workers kind to you?” I followed his gaze to see Cheri staring in our direction. “The last chef was well-liked.”
He shrugged.
I leaned closer. “I’ve also heard Cheri is a tyrant.”
He paled. “She isn’t so bad.”
“Miss Nelson, I hope everything is to your liking?” Cheri said from behind me.
“Wonderful.” I turned. “Just welcoming Evan.”
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you for being so kind, but he really does have a lot of work to do.”
“I apologize.” I took my plates to the buffet, adding Evan to the list of people I wanted to speak with.
When I returned to our table, I wasn’t thrilled to see Rusty scarfing down a plate of scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. I raised my eyebrows at Matt as I handed him his plate.
“Sorry.” He shrugged.
I understood. None of us wanted to hurt Rusty’s feelings by telling him to eat somewhere else, but not only had I wanted to be alone with Matt, but the other man’s table manners left a lot to be desired.
He chewed with his mouth open, dropping crumbs down the front of him, and shoveled food into his mouth like a bulldozer, even going so far as to lift his plate to bring it closer to his mouth. I shuddered and looked away.
“Add the new chef to our list,” I said.
Rusty glanced up. “He’s Cheri’s nephew.” He went back to eating.
Interesting. “How do you know this?”
“He said.”
Alrighty, then. “Rusty, do you know which maid cleans the Boyds’ suite?”
“Susan.”
Maybe I should make Rusty a partner in my private investigation business. He had more information than an encyclopedia. I had no idea how he did it.
“She is afraid of Cheri.” Rusty brushed off the front of his overalls, bounded from his seat, and then dashed back to the buffet.
Matt chuckled. “He loves that the food is free. I bet he has a week’s worth stashed under his bed. Dakota has been complaining about a bad smell.”
I made a mental note to increase his salary as my gardener. “We have Evan, Amy, and Lara to speak to. That’s a good start to the day.”
“Snooping without me?” Mom crossed her arms.
A stern Maryann stood next to her. “Or me?”
“We can’t all go.” I frowned. “It’ll be like an interrogation.” I knew Matt and I should have eaten in the cottage.
“Why don’t the two of you get another massage,” Matt offered. “See if you can get more information out of Bri. That way, we’ll finish faster.”
“At least someone appreciates our talents.” Mom huffed and stomped away, Matt’s sister on her heels.
“Clever man. I did want to talk to Bri again.”
“If you don’t give your mother work to do, she’ll create her own. We both know that doesn’t always turn out well.”
True. We finished breakfast, stacked our dishes on the counter provided for dirty dishes, then stepped out into bright sunshine. It promised to be a glorious day.
“Let’s find the maid, Susan,” I suggested. “Evan won’t be off duty for an hour or two, and Lara is still in the dining room.”
“Hold my hand. We’ll pretend to take a stroll. When we find her, we’ll ask some questions. I hope you have a plan to get her to talk.”
“I’m working on one.” I entwined my fingers with his. “What are we going to do with the papers I found in Shelby’s suitcase?”
“I’m still waiting to see how much money are in the accounts, the names of the fake businesses, and the best way of proving Lawrence Boyd is a fraud.” He sighed. “I’m sure it will mean the Feds taking over.”
“Worth it if it gets a killer off the street.”
“Very true.” He squeezed my hand. “Just make sure no one knows you have a copy of those papers. I have a feeling someone other than Boyd is looking for them.”
“You’re pretty sure he isn’t the killer.”
“Yes. He’s dirty, but I don’t think he killed Seth or his wife.”
“Shelby?”
“I’m not sure about her. She strikes me as the type to do anything to keep her lifestyle the way she wants it.”
I spotted an older woman in a traditional black and white maid’s uniform stepping out of one of the cottages. “Susan?”
She stopped and looked our way, confirming that she was, indeed, the maid we looked for. “May I help you?” She lifted some towels from her cart. “Clean towels?”
“No, thank you.” I pulled my ID badge from my pocket. “We’d like to ask you a few questions.”
Her friendly expression turned impassive. “I’ve told the police all I know.”
“Please. I was hired by Mrs. Granger to find out who killed her husband. Now, she’s dead, too. Don’t you think they deserve justice?”
She sighed. “
What cottage are you in?”
I told her.
“I’ll be there in five minutes. I’ll answer while I clean, but no longer than that.”
“Thank you.” I tugged Matt after me. “See? She’ll talk.”
“Maybe. What are you going to do if she doesn’t show?”
“Hunt her down.” I unlocked the door to my cottage, relieved no one was there, then quickly made a paper sign telling everyone other than housekeeping to stay out and taped it to the outside of the door. Hopefully, my family would take the hint and stay out.
Five minutes later, seven if you wanted to be exact, Susan let herself in. She headed straight for the bathroom my mother used. “If you want to talk, you must follow me. I’ll be fired if I don’t do my job by ten.”
I glanced at Matt, then motioned for him to stay in the living room. I followed Susan, and leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom. “Do you like working here?”
“It pays the bills and gives me a free place to live.” She rolled clean towels and stuck them in alcoves under the sink. “I don’t think that’s the question you want to ask, now is it?” She straightened. “You want to know whether I know anything about the Grangers’ deaths.”
“Yes.” Okay, no pretense. This woman was a straight-shooter. “If you tell me what you know, we won’t waste any time.”
“I don’t know who killed them,” she said, wiping the counter. “But, I did overhear Mr. Lawrence telling his slutty girlfriend that she had gone overboard this time. I also heard him say that Shelby was the reason Seth found the information and quit.” She moved to the toilet. “I don’t know what information he was talking about. Once he discovered me standing in the hall, he slammed the door closed.” She grinned. “He had left it open a bit. In a big hurry to get that woman alone.”
So far, I wasn’t learning anything new. We knew Boyd had information he didn’t want known, we suspected Seth had known something about it, and we knew Shelby was as dirty as the bottom of a sewer worker’s shoe. “Did you ever hear the Grangers talking about anything suspicious?”
“I found this in the tub.” She pulled a vial, similar to the one Mom had found in Shelby’s room, from her apron pocket. “This is why I was late coming to your room. I had to go get it.” She held it up. “I was careful not to touch the murderous little bugger.”
Nosy Neighbor: All 7 complete Nosy Neighbor cozy mysteries PLUS: 2 short Christmas stories (A Nosy Neighbor mystery) Page 82
