Peridale Cafe Mystery 20 - Cocktails and Cowardice

by Agatha Frost

  Behind the reception desk the next morning, they watched silently as the printer rapid-fired more posters of Dot and Percy’s faces. They had set early alarms, but they still weren’t down before the start of breakfast – and Lisa and Minnie were nowhere to be seen.

  The other guests, not one of whom had said so much as two words to Julia despite everything going on, were also down, but they weren’t waiting for breakfast. They sat in the sunroom, fully clothed, cases at their sides, checking their watches every couple of minutes while they waited for the transfer to pick them up and take them home.

  “Here she comes again,” said Jessie, rolling her eyes in the direction of the plump, sunburnt woman who had already tried to check out with them once. “We already told you, we don’t work here, so buzz off!”

  The woman scowled and huffed, but turned on her heel and returned to the sunroom. She whispered something to her party, and they all glared in the direction of the desk. If Jessie cared, nothing showed on her face.

  “I wonder why they haven’t come down yet?” Julia glanced at the clock on the wall. “Do you think they’re avoiding us?”

  “I heard arguing last night,” Jessie said in a low voice. “I know I haven’t met this Minnie chick yet, but I’m sure I recognised Lisa’s voice.”

  “What were they arguing about?” Barker asked.

  “No idea.” Jessie shrugged and picked up the stack of posters as soon as the printer spat out the final sheet. “I thought we could hit the beach if you haven’t already been down there. I saw it when I flew in, and it’s not that far away.”

  “That’s a good idea, kid.” Barker attempted to ruffle her hair, but she ducked before his hand made contact. “Minnie said a lot of tourists travel into town. Someone who might have been up here the morning Dot and Percy went missing could be anywhere – and the beach is as good a place as any to try and catch them.”

  “Would explain why this place is so quiet,” Jessie said, glancing into the empty dining room, where nobody had even turned the lights on. “Remember when we were looking at all of those glowing reviews for this place, Mum? Well, I could barely find them under the mountain of one-star reviews that have poured in over the last few weeks. People were ripping this place to shreds.”

  “What were they saying?” Barker asked, arms folded, clearly intrigued.

  “It’s what they weren’t saying,” Jessie replied, splitting the pile into three and handing them out. “I was expecting to turn up to a bug-riddled hostel run by lunatics, and while I can’t attest to the latter, it’s certainly not as bad as people were making out.”

  Another member of the waiting party walked towards the desk – this time a plump, sunburnt man, looking even more irritated than the woman before him.

  “What’s the big idea then?” He folded his thick arms across his chest, and he might have looked menacing if he weren’t a generous inch or two above five foot. “First you won’t let us check out, and then you insult my wife? Our transfer will be here in ten minutes.”

  “Like I told your missus,” Jessie snapped, slapping the pile of posters down on the desk, “we don’t bloody work here, mate.”

  “Then what are you doing behind the desk, mate?”

  “This is my great-aunt’s hotel,” Julia explained, smiling to make up for Jesse’s abruptness; she had never been a morning person. “We’re guests too.”

  “And if you hadn’t noticed, mate, we’re trying to find two missing old folks.” Jessie held up a poster and shook in his face. “Or haven’t you been paying attention to what’s been going on around here? You’re about to go home and tell everyone what a lovely holiday you had, including how you clearly forgot to put on any sunblock while you were here. And when you get off the plane and go home and hug your family, who I assume are as awful as you and your wife, we will still be here, searching the streets, desperately trying to find these two.”

  As harsh as Jessie’s words were, the man didn’t bite back. He shifted his weight from foot to foot and readjusted his arms, exhaling through his nostrils.

  “Look,” he said, his voice softer this time, “I’m sorry for what you’re going through, but we just want to pay our room service bill before the transfer picks us up.”

  Leaving the posters on the desk, Julia sat down at the computer. She moved the mouse, and the screen came to life, displaying a complicated system she didn’t recognise. She let her eyes drift across the screen, but she couldn’t make heads or tails of what needed to be done so the man could pay his bill.

  “Jessie?” Julia glanced over her shoulder at her more technologically savvy daughter. “Any ideas?”

  But before Jessie could take Julia’s place at the desk, footsteps creaked slowly down the stairway behind them. Minnie shuffled through the door to the private quarters, wearing a leopard-print silk dressing gown, a pair of large sunglasses that covered her eyes, and a scarf concealing her hair – which, by the looks of it, had yet to see a brush.

  “Where’s Lisa?” Minnie croaked, last night’s sangria still hot on her breath.

  “I don’t know,” Julia said, gesturing toward the waiting man, “but the other guests are checking out, and I don’t know how to use the system.”

  Minnie stared blankly first at Julia and then at the computer. “Neither do I. Lisa does all that.”

  “But Lisa hasn’t always been here,” Julia pointed out.

  “My husband took care of everything.” Minnie shuffled forward in her slippers, but she didn’t quite reach the reception desk. “We had a book, but Lisa insisted we get the computer system.”

  “I just want to pay my room service bill,” the man repeated, clearly losing what little patience he still had left. “The service here has left a lot to be desired, but this is a new low.”

  “Whatever,” Minnie said, wafting her hand through the air as she set off to the dining room. “No charge. Room service is on me. Won’t make a difference at this point.” She flipped on the lights and stared at the empty buffet table. “Where’s Lisa?”

  “Is she senile?” Jessie whispered, hooking a thumb at Minnie. “Let’s just go. Sooner we’re out of here, sooner we can find them.”

  The man lingered by the reception desk for a moment before cursing under his breath and heading back to the sunroom. Like his wife before him, he whispered something, and the whole party glared in their direction.

  “You two go on without me,” Julia said, her eyes firmly on Minnie, who was now wandering out onto the terrace and ignoring her few remaining guests. “I need to get some answers, and I don’t know how many chances I’ll get if she keeps locking herself away.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” Barker asked, resting a hand on the small of her back.

  Julia shook her head. “Like Jessie said, the sooner you get out there, the higher our chances of finding them. I’ll see what I can do here, and if she gives me nothing, I’ll get a taxi down to the beach to find you.”

  After a quick kiss and hug, and with a promise to keep safe, Barker and Jessie headed for the beach. As soon as they left, a minibus squeezed down the narrow street in front of the hotel. The driver jumped out, clipboard in hand. Fearing he, like the others, would expect her to help, Julia left the computer and the reception desk. The party rose to their feet, one even giving her slow, sarcastic applause.

  “Aren’t you going to help with our cases?” another barked at Julia, looking down at her bump with disinterest.

  “You heard my daughter,” she said, walking right through them. “I don’t work here.”

  More grumbling followed, and she could practically feel their eyes glaring at the back of her head, but she didn’t give them the satisfaction of sticking around. While they struggled to get the cases out of the hotel, she joined Minnie on the terrace.

  “This is because we argued last night,” Minnie muttered, hands clenched against the railing as she stared out into the valley. “She’s punishing me. She does this. Her father was t
he same way. Argumentative to the core. Spiteful.”

  Julia joined her at the railing and looked out at the valley. The view was as gorgeous as ever, but she couldn’t help wondering where in that expansive view her gran was being kept. Julia considered mentioning that Jessie had heard arguing but decided against it. The last thing she wanted was for Minnie to think they were eavesdropping on her, especially if she did have something to hide.

  “I hope it was nothing serious,” Julia said.

  “Same old, same old.”

  “Which is?” Julia prodded gently, trying not to spook her.

  Minnie waved vaguely, but once again, Julia had no idea what the gesture was supposed to mean.

  “Money,” Minnie said with a heavy sigh, pulling off her sunglasses to reveal tired eyes. “It’s always about money with her. Once again, just like her father. Counting every single penny. It was like living with an accountant. And she wonders why I divorced him.”

  “You said you had money troubles?”

  “Who doesn’t these days?” Minnie pushed her sunglasses onto her head. “I’m what they call land rich, cash poor. I’m sitting on money with this hotel, and ironically, it’s barely making any. I once had dinner with Alan Sugar on a skiing trip in the Alps, and he told me then I didn’t have a brain for business. He was right.”

  “Is that why you borrowed money from Gabriel Caron?”

  “How did you know about that?” she snapped, turning to Julia with a frown. “Did Lisa tell you? She swore she wouldn’t. It’s supposed to be private.”

  “Arlo told me,” Julia confessed, deciding honesty might increase the chances of getting the same in return. “He also thinks he was fired to cut costs, and that he was framed for stealing.”

  “Framed?” Minnie scoffed. “Lisa caught him red-handed, dipping into the takings. I don’t care how long he worked here – nobody is above being fired for stealing.”

  “I thought you said you caught him?”

  “No,” she replied sharply. “Lisa did. But it was my job to fire him, and I did so. Gladly.” She dragged her sunglasses back down to her eyes and returned her gaze to the valley. “And yes, I borrowed money from that bloody Frenchman. I thought we were friends, but apparently, friendship means nothing around here anymore. I was desperate, the bills needed paying, and I heard he worked as a loan shark . . . in an unofficial capacity.”

  “And you haven’t been able to pay back the loan?”

  “A little.” Minnie bobbed her head from side to side. “But when the money’s not there, the money’s not there. I can’t magic it out of thin air, and the bookings just aren’t coming in.” She sighed. “Ever since my husband died, everything has gone to pot. He made running this place look easy. We were always fully booked. Maybe Lisa isn’t up to the job, but it’s not like we can afford anyone else. She never complained. Not to me, anyway. Not until last night. She’s always been a people pleaser, and I admit, I take advantage of that sometimes.”

  “Lisa mentioned that she wanted you to sell the hotel.”

  “I cannot sell this place,” Minnie said she ran her hands along the railing. “I won’t! It’s all I have left of Bill. La Casa was our pride and joy. I know it sounds silly coming from an old woman like me after living the life I’ve lived, but this hotel was the first time I ever felt settled.” She shook her head. “Don’t get me wrong, I loved the jet-set life. But that’s a young girl’s game. I’m too old to start again. Too old to get used to a new life. I’ve only just got used to being a widow, for goodness’ sakes.” She sighed. “I know it’s never too late to find someone else – just look at your gran – but after four marriages, three divorces, and that final devastating death, quite frankly, my dear, I haven’t the energy.”

  Though it hurt to hear the pain in Minnie’s voice, Julia still couldn’t see how these troubles could connect to Dot and Percy’s disappearance.

  “Minnie?” a familiar voice echoed around the dining room. “There you are, neighbour.”

  Rodger, dressed in another linen suit with another box of eggs in hand, was already headed towards them. Julia wanted to scream, to tell him to go away until she had learned something of importance from her elusive great-aunt. Instead, she bit her tongue for the sake of keeping the peace.

  “My dear Rodger.” Minnie met him on the other side of the pool, both hands already outstretched. “I can always rely on you to put a smile on my face. Are those eggs for me?”

  “The chickens have been laying well.” He handed over the box. “What has so troubled you that I need to put a smile on your face?”

  “I’m so stressed, Rodger.” She placed the eggs on a side table and dramatically collapsed into one of the deckchairs. “Lisa and I are at each other’s throats, and things aren’t looking any better in the booking department.”

  Julia couldn’t fathom how Dot and Percy being held for ransom somehow didn’t even make the list of things troubling her. She gritted her teeth and slowly counted to ten in her head.

  “Still not looking up?”

  “I couldn’t tell you which way was up right now if I tried.” She sighed and pulled off the glasses again. “You’re lucky you never had children, Rodger. You try to do everything right, and still they grow up and resent you. I tried my best, you know. My very best.”

  “I don’t doubt you have.” Rodger pulled up a chair and took Minnie’s hands in his. “Is that why you were unavailable last night? I stopped by, but Lisa said you weren’t to be disturbed.”

  “As much as I appreciate your visits – and I do, Rodger – it was probably for the best that Lisa turned you away.” Minnie patted his hand and looked out over the valley. “I haven’t been at my best recently. A woman can only deal with so much stress. I was just telling sweet Julia all about my money woes. Maybe it’s time I accepted one of those offers?”

  “Are you sure you want to give up like that?” he asked, edging closer to her. “Your hotel has the best view in Savega, and everyone knows it. Nobody else is so happily situated. Your vistas of the valley are second to none.”

  “I’m not sure I have much choice,” she said, staring blankly at the calm surface of the pool. “Lisa says the offers keep coming. I daresay it’s The Buyer. It’s my time. I’ve been marked. I can feel it.”

  “Not this nonsense about The Buyer again,” Rodger said, stroking her hand steadily. “I thought you knew better than to believe in those silly conspiracy theories.”

  “The Buyer?” Julia asked, stepping forward.

  “A local myth,” he said. “People will believe anything around here.”

  “But maybe it’s true.” Minnie pulled her hand away and returned to the railing. “Look what has happened to this place. So many people have left, scared away.” She glanced sideways at Julia. “Nobody knows what’s going on. When people refuse these offers, they come back even bigger – for a time. But if you refuse those . . . well, bad things happen.”

  “You sound like the rest of them now, my dear,” Rodger said, joining her at the balcony and wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “The Buyer is a bogeyman people have invented because they’re so desperate to connect dots that aren’t there. And not all change is bad. Why, if nothing ever changed, we wouldn’t have become neighbours. I haven’t been here as long as you, have I?”

  “Well, no,” Minnie said, smiling for the first time that morning. “But you must admit how strange it is, Rodger. The fires. The burglaries.”

  Julia wished for her trusty notepad as she tried to keep up with these details. This was precisely the kind of information she had been trying to extract from Minnie from the moment it became apparent her great-aunt was scared.

  “Why didn’t you mention The Buyer before?” Julia asked firmly, eyes trained on the terracotta-tiled floor as she tried to organise her thoughts.

  “I didn’t think it mattered.” Minnie wafted her hand again. Julia wanted nothing more than to smack it out of the air “Like Rodger said, it’s just a rumour. No
thing’s been proven.”

  “But you’ve had offers?”

  “Well, yes.” She frowned. “They come through on the computer.”

  “And people who refused other offers were punished in some way?”

  “It would seem that way,” Minnie said, glaring at Julia. “You don’t think—”

  “That the ransom note is your punishment?” Julia cut in, shocked that Minnie hadn’t connected those pieces of the jigsaw herself, considering her paranoid state. “Who has been offering to buy your hotel?”

  Minnie thought about it for a moment, her brows tense, her eyes darting all over the valley.

  “Lots of people,” she said with a shrug. “I don’t know. Lisa deals with it. She says the same person never gives more than three offers, and then the names change.”

  “Did you tell this to the police?”

  “Like I said, I didn’t think it was important.” Minnie’s shaky hands rested against her cheeks. “I’m sorry, I just—”

  “Can’t you see you’re upsetting her?” Rodger pulled Minnie away from the railing and set her back down in the deckchair. “What she needs is a hot cup of tea or a stiff drink, not an interrogation.”

  Before Julia could retort that what she wanted was her gran back safe and sound and that no amount of tea would placate her, Minnie let out a tiny gasp.

  “No, sweet Julia is right.” Minnie’s trembling fingers rested against her lips. “I’ve been so distracted, so selfish, that I didn’t see the obvious. I thought it was random. I hoped it was random. But it can’t be, can it? It’s all my fault.”

  “Now, Minnie. You mustn’t torture yourself this way.” Rodger fired a sharp glance at Julia over his shoulder, so Julia glared right back. “Why don’t I make you that cup of tea you so clearly need right now?”

  “That would be lovely.”

  Rodger took himself to the dining room, where the tea-making station remained stocked despite the day’s lack of breakfast.

  Conspiracy theory or not, Maria’s café had considered the break-ins threatening enough to install cameras. And Julia didn’t forget the way Maria’s father had immediately shut down any conversation on the subject.