The Inn at Holiday Bay: Haunting in the Hallway

by Kathi Daley

  “And now his remains turn up here nine years later? How on earth did his body end up in Wesley Hamilton’s grave?”

  “We’re not sure yet. I have a few theories I need to check out, hence my early departure from my parents’ home. I need to run now, but I’ll call you after I figure out how the day is going to shake out.”

  Talk about an odd twist to an already odd murder investigation.

  Crossing my room, I turned on my laptop. As soon as it came on, I Googled Brian Coswell, and a bunch of news articles popped up. As Colt had indicated, Brian was a freshman attending Bronte University in Rhode Island when he went missing. According to the Maps program, the school was over three hundred miles away from Holiday Bay. Closer to three hundred and fifty, actually. So how did an eighteen-year-old kid go missing from a college in Rhode Island and his body end up buried in a family gravesite so far away? Had he been buried there all this time, or were his remains moved at some point? Even more important, was his death and the death of Wesley Hamilton nine years later somehow related? On the one hand, I didn’t see how it could be. On the other hand, I didn’t see how it couldn’t.

  Based on the photos of Brian Coswell I found on the internet, he looked to be a homely kid. He was tall and skinny, and his hair was bright red and seemed to stick up in every direction in pretty much every photo I found of him. He had bright green eyes and abundant freckles I found sort of enduring, though I imagined others might find it less than attractive. He looked young for his age, but I imagined, had he lived, he might have matured into a more attractive man. Colt had mentioned that he was shy and introverted, but I suspected he might also have been bullied. He must have been intelligent enough, or he wouldn’t have gotten into Bronte, but I could totally understand how he might have had a hard time adjusting to college life.

  I sat back in my chair and continued to surf around for more information about Brian Coswell. He was originally from a small town in Maryland and had two older brothers who’d attended the same university. They’d both graduated before Brian arrived on campus. Brian was on his way to a fraternity orientation when he was last seen. A quick search revealed that both older brothers were members of the same fraternity. Interesting. I supposed that might explain Brian’s interest in the frat in the first place. In fact, one or both of his brothers might have been the ones to suggest he pledge that or another frat.

  It took a while, but eventually, I pulled up photos of Brian’s brothers. Both were blond-haired, blue-eyed, and very good-looking, which made me wonder if perhaps Brian was adopted. He didn’t look a thing like either of his siblings. I was starting to feel really sorry for the guy. From what I could find, it appeared his brothers were popular high-achievers. Not an easy act to follow.

  All of the articles I read agreed that Brian was last seen leaving his dorm room as he headed out to the fraternity house. The detective in charge of the investigation never found anyone who remembered seeing him at the frat house, so something must have happened to him as he traveled between the two locations. As interesting as this was, I knew I wasn’t going to figure out what it was without a whole lot more information, so I logged off the computer and went out to the outdoor patio, where I found Gaylord sitting alone, nursing an iced tea.

  “Are you taking a break?” I asked.

  “I think I’m done for the day. I got up early and made good progress on the manuscript, but then I realized what I was writing was no longer making sense, so I decided to get some fresh air. Now that I’m out here, I’ve realized how tired I am. I think I need to do something else for a while.”

  “The same thing happens to me sometimes when I’ve really been on a roll. I’m glad your manuscript is coming together for you. I know how hard you’ve worked on it.”

  Gaylord let out a slow breath. “It has been a dream of mine. How is your own manuscript coming along?”

  “It’s coming. My writing time has been pretty sporadic since the inn opened. I have Georgia to rely on, so I don’t really need to be here as much as I am, but I find myself enjoying getting to know all our guests.”

  “You certainly have had an interesting mix while I’ve been here. I think I will miss this place when I move on.”

  “And we’ll miss you. How much longer will you be with us?”

  “I’m here through November. I might have extended my stay clear through the new year, but Georgia already has the rooms booked for every weekend in December. As it is, I will have been here nine weeks by the time I go, so I suppose it will be time.”

  “Maybe you can come back for a visit when things slow down a bit.”

  “I’d like that. I’ve lived my whole life as an academic. Never married or had children. My parents are long gone, and I was an only child. I never missed having family connections, but since I’ve been here and have had the chance to experience life in close proximity with others, I find I quite like it.”

  “I have found that the folks who live in Holiday Bay really know what family means. And Georgia… well, having her here has made all the difference for me.” I leaned back and glanced out at the sea. “Have you ever considered moving to Holiday Bay? You could still travel and do the academic thing you so enjoy, but when you came home, there would always be people waiting who would be happy to see you.”

  Gaylord’s face grew thoughtful. “That might be something to think about. Back when I was teaching, I thought of the university as my home, but now—now I feel displaced. A permanent change of scenery might be just the thing.”

  “Where is it that you taught?”

  “Bronte University.”

  Now that couldn’t be a coincidence. Could it? “When did you teach there?”

  “From 1980 to 2015.”

  So he would have been there when Brian arrived for his freshman year. “Colt Wilder and I were recently discussing a missing persons case involving a Bronte University student named Brian Coswell. Do you remember that?”

  “Of course. It was a big deal. All over the news. Bronte is an expensive private university. In other words, not always easy to attend. The students generally come from affluent families, so when something happens like a student going missing, it tends to make the news. The fact that the boy was on his way to a frat house when he disappeared made it more of a scandal.”

  “Why is that?”

  “The boy who disappeared was not the usual sort of pledge you would find at that the particular fraternity. The frat was known for being exclusive. Not only did you have to be wealthy to be invited to join, but you were expected to have a certain look if you know what I mean.”

  “Good-looking and preppy?”

  Gaylord smiled. “I had overheard some of the other professors talking, and it seemed that the only reason the guys from the frat were letting this particular boy anywhere near their house was because his grandfather was loaded, and his father, as well as two of his brothers, were frat brothers. It was suggested that they had been instructed by the national organization that they make an exception to their usual standards. When the boy turned up missing, it was rumored that it might have been the head of the frat at the university who helped him to disappear to maintain the purity of their house. Of course, all we ever had was that rumor. As far as I know, there never was any evidence to support it.”

  “That is an interesting idea, though. Do you think it could be at all possible that someone killed this kid just to keep him from pledging a house where he didn’t fit in?”

  “I’m not saying that is what happened, but I think it could have happened.”

  Chapter 15

  When I’d heard that eight-year-old Hannah Danson not only knew how to play the piano but actually participated in recitals, I’d been impressed. But when I heard how good she was… All I can say is that from the moment she hit the first key, I was totally mesmerized and amazed.

  Georgia had done a wonderful job with her wine, cheese, and fruit selections. A quick glance around the room demonstrated that everyone was as
impressed with Hannah as I was. Once she began to play, all the lingering conversations ceased.

  I was happy to see that everyone we’d invited had shown up on time with the exception of Colt, who’d texted to let me know he was following up on a lead and would be late, though he still planned to be there by dinnertime if at all possible. I was anxious to talk to him about the conversation I’d had with Gaylord. If Brian had been killed by one of the members of the frat house, where might Wesley fit into it? He had to have been involved in Brian’s death; that was the only way his body being in his grave made any sense. Unless someone known to Wesley buried his victim in the grave without him knowing about it. I supposed that could be possible. Unlikely, but possible.

  After Hannah had played several numbers, she stood up and bowed, and everyone applauded. I could see that the others in the room had been lulled into a trance by her music, but now that she’d stooped, groups formed and conversations picked up where they’d left off.

  I was headed across the room to congratulate Hannah on a job well done when I was intercepted by Hannah’s mother.

  “Thank you so much for inviting us here this evening. I can see that it meant a lot to Hannah to be treated so professionally. She’s been in recitals with other kids with everyone’s parents in attendance, but this is the first time she’s been the headliner, performing for people she doesn’t know, who all treated her so respectfully,” Faith said.

  “It was my pleasure. Your daughter really is amazing. You said that your husband plays too?”

  “He did when he was young. He can still pound out a Christmas carol with the best of them, but he never had the passion Hannah has. Adam’s mother would be so proud of her namesake for following in her footsteps.”

  “How long has Adam’s mother been gone?”

  “About ten years. She passed away shortly after my oldest son started school. We were on our way home from a back-to-school night when we got the call that she’d been diagnosed with cancer. She died just six months later.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “Me too. She was an amazing woman. Kind and giving, as well as talented and hardworking. She loved the boys, but I know if she’d been here to meet Hannah, she would have bonded with her on a whole other level.”

  “Hannah seems proud to have been named after her grandmother. Do they share any other features or talents?” I wondered.

  “Actually they do.” Faith pulled two photos from her handbag. “This is Hannah when she was six, and this is a photo of Hannah’s grandmother when she was the same age. They could have been twins.”

  “They do look an awful lot alike. I wonder if the similarities will continue as your Hannah matures.”

  “I think so. Hannah’s grandmother had a twin sister we are very close to and see often. When my Hannah is with her Great-Aunt Heather, the similarities are even more pronounced.”

  My eyes widened. “Wait. Did you say Heather?”

  Chapter 16

  “That makes another successful inn event on the books,” Georgia said several hours later after everyone had left and it was just the two of us walking the bluff with the dogs.

  “It was amazing. Everyone loved your meal, and of course, Hannah was spectacular. We’ll have to do it again sometime. I floated the idea by her and she seemed excited by the opportunity.”

  “She is very mature for her age, and how crazy was it to figure out that her Grandma Hannah was very likely one of the two missing sisters of Dixie and Lily?”

  “That was pretty amazing. Dixie and Lily will have a better feeling for things after they meet with Heather, but David did say that his first wife was adopted, so it seems likely that Heather and Hannah are the twin sisters Dixie hoped to find.”

  “I hope she will let us know how things work out after she and Lily meet Heather.’

  “I’m sure they will,” I assured Georgia. “Do you know if Dixie ever figured out who sent her the journal?”

  “She still has no idea. My feeling is that she’ll most likely never know. If the person wanted Dixie to know who she was, she would have signed the note.”

  “I guess that’s true.” I paused. “It’s really amazing that Dixie was able to accomplish so much in such a short time. If Grandma Hannah does turn out to be Dixie’s sister, Dixie would be Adam’s aunt and young Hannah’s great-aunt.”

  “It’s a crazy small world. I really enjoyed the evening.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’m sorry Colt never made it. I think he would have had fun it.”

  “He would have, but solving Wesley Hamilton’s murder has to take precedence. I understand that. He said he’d try to call me later. I hope he does. I’m curious about what he’s on to.”

  “I wonder if he is following up with Wesley’s murder or Brian Coswell’s. He has two cases that might be related but might not,” Georgia pointed out.

  “It’s all a mystery,” I agreed.

  “Speaking of mysteries, I spoke to Keith before he checked out this morning, and he swears that he heard someone moving around in the hallway last night, but when he opened the door to see who it was, the hallway was empty.”

  “You don’t think we really have a ghost, do you?” I asked.

  Georgia shrugged. “Someone or something is making a racket. I’m pretty sure every guest we’ve had in the past two weeks has commented on it.”

  “And you never found evidence of rats?”

  “No. I even had Lonnie take a look. He said if we had rats, we’d have droppings, which we don’t. I suppose we might have something else. A squirrel or a raccoon. If that is the case, they must be laying low during the day because it seems like the noises are only being heard at night. Late at night. Usually after midnight.”

  “Maybe we do have a ghost. I suppose that wouldn’t be the worst thing. Haunted lodging properties are all the thing these days.”

  “Maybe, but I still think I’d prefer the inn to be spook-free.”

  “We should turn around and head back.” I called to Ramos and Molly, and both dogs came trotting over.

  “It looks like a car just pulled onto the drive from the highway.” Georgia pointed to where headlights could be seen in the distance.

  “I suppose someone might be lost. We don’t have anyone checking in this evening.”

  “It might be someone looking for a room who decided to take a shot. I have unit one ready, but I hate to book it because we want to get started on the basement this week.”

  “Whoever it is just pulled up to the cottage.”

  “I bet it’s Colt.”

  My heart gladdened. “I think it might be at that.”

  He was waiting for us on our front porch when we arrived back at the cottage. Georgia took the dogs inside while I sat down next to Colt.

  “So, what’s going on?” I asked, getting right to the point.

  “I managed to get hold of Joe Putman, and he agreed to a phone interview.”

  “Putman was Brian Coswell’s roommate, right?”

  “He was. According to Putman, he was randomly paired with Brian as roommates and hadn’t known him before they moved into the dorm. He said that Coswell was a smart guy and was totally able to hang with the crowd in terms of academics, but he was socially awkward and had a hard time fitting in outside of the classroom.”

  I knew all of this but let Colt continue without interruption.

  “The two of them got on just fine, and they probably would have been fairly successful in navigating the college social scene together, but Coswell was determined to pledge a fraternity and not just any fraternity but the same one his father and brothers had. In theory, that might have worked out okay, but Putman said that Coswell was somewhat of a nerd; his word, not mine. As far as Putman was concerned, there was no way that he was ever going to make it past the front door of that particular frat house. Not only were the guys who lived there from wealthy and connected families, but they all looked like Ken dolls, which seemed to be the frat’s s
tandard.”

  “I Googled a photo of Brian, and he was no Ken doll.”

  “Exactly. Putman confided that he figured that Coswell would show up at the first meet and greet, explain his intention to pledge, get shot down, and that would be that. But instead of being shot down, he was told to show up on the night he went missing at an orientation for pledges with family members who were brothers. Putman told me that when Coswell left the dorm, he was about as nervous as he’d ever seen anyone and that he thought he might be on something. Putnam didn’t know what, and he hadn’t seen Coswell do drugs before that, but he definitely seemed off that night, and he suspected that Coswell had taken something for courage.”

  “Did he have any idea at all what happened after Brian left?”

  “No. Coswell left on foot, and the dorm was about a mile from the frat house. It seemed obvious to Putnam that someone must have assaulted him somewhere between the two locations because no one at the frat house admitted to having seen him that night. Until Coswell’s body was found and identified in Holiday Bay, Putman was living with the uncertainty of exactly what had occurred. He still doesn’t have the answer to exactly what happened, but at least he now knows that Coswell really is dead and most likely died on that night, although even that hasn’t been verified.”

  “It sounds like Brian didn’t even want to pledge the frat. I bet he was being pressured to by his father or brothers.”

  “That was Putman’s take on it. He told me that Coswell admitted that he was the black sheep of the family. His father and brothers were good-looking, intelligent, and successful, while Brian took more after his mother, a redheaded beauty with a heart of gold but lacking the killer instinct. According to Putman, it seemed as if Brian’s father had been trying to get him to man him up since the moment he was born.”

  “I feel bad for the guy. It sounds like someone from the frat house might have been the one to murder him, but how on earth did he end up in Wesley Hamilton’s grave?”