“That doesn’t sound like she doesn’t know the Ridgefields,” Ryan said.
"We've been together almost a year, and I never saw her with them or heard her mention them," said Travis. "It might have been a coincidence."
“I usually don’t trust coincidences of a murder case,” said Heather. “Something upset her last night.”
“I know Trish,” said Travis. “She’s a wonderful person. She couldn’t have had anything to do with a murder.”
“Wonderful people have been pushed to it before,” Heather said. “We need to look at the facts. But we promise to be objective as we can. If you’re certain she didn’t have anything to do with this, then you can keep telling us the truth without feeling guilty.”
“I am certain that she didn’t have anything to do with it,” said Travis.
“Did she leave the room at all last night?” Heather asked.
“Yes,” Travis said. “But only for a little while.”
“At what time?”
"I'm not sure," he said. "But it was rather late. I had fallen asleep but woke up when I heard her. She was having trouble sleeping and wanted to take a shower. She said she was going to try and find an extra towel so we'd have a dry one in the morning."
“So, she went out in search of a towel in the middle of the night?” Amy asked.
“It’s not a crazy thing to do,” said Travis. “She thought there was a good chance Bea was asleep, but that the linen closet might be marked and easy to find.”
“Was it?” Heather asked.
“No,” Travis said. “She came back a little while later saying that she couldn’t find it. She decided to try and go to sleep. I tried to comfort her, but then I fell asleep and was out for the rest of the night. I didn’t realize that she didn’t fall asleep right after me until this morning when she mentioned it at the table.”
“Did you know anyone here besides Trish?” asked Ryan.
Travis shook his head. “That was how we wanted it. We wanted a weekend away for just the two of us.”
“Thank you for all your help,” Heather said.
“I hope it was helpful,” Travis said. “I know Trish didn’t kill anybody.”
They wandered away from his room and down the hall.
“Are we certain that Trish didn’t kill anybody?” Amy asked.
“Right now, I’m not certain of anything,” Heather responded.
Asking Agnes
"Bea?" Agnes asked, peeking her nose out of her door. Instead, she saw Heather, Amy, Ryan, and Dave in the hall.
“I’m sorry,” she said, starting to retreat. “I thought it was some food being brought up.”
“It’s good to see that you’re feeling well enough to open the door,” Heather said.
“Yes,” said Agnes. “But I’m still not back to normal. I think I had better lie back down until the food arrives. I thought it would have been here by now.”
“Since we’ve run into you, do you mind if we ask you a few questions?” Heather asked.
“Well,” Agnes hesitated.
“You’re welcome to lie down while we talk,” said Heather. “And if your meal hasn’t arrived by the time that we’re finished we’ll run down and get it for you.”
Agnes agreed. Heather helped the small woman back to her bed, and then Dave decided he should join her. He wriggled up next to her so that she would pet his head. Her green eyes lit up as she scratched his belly and his tail wagged.
“Dave could become a professional,” Amy said.
Agnes smiled. “My mother used to say that wagging tails and wet noses were a sign that there was—“
“Good in the world,” Amy finished.
“Did your mother say that too?” Agnes asked. “It must be a common expression. But a true one.”
“I can agree with it,” Heather said.
Agnes began to cough. Heather filled up a cup of water for her, while Amy tried not the breath in any potential germs.
“We know that you haven’t been feeling well and haven’t been out of your room much,” Ryan began.
“That is the truth,” Agnes said. “I’ve been feeling so lousy. And so weak.”
“What’s wrong with you exactly?” Amy asked.
“The doctors at home weren’t quite sure,” said Agnes. “After several treatments didn’t work, they suggested it was stress and that I should go on a vacation. I know it sounds very old-fashioned. To head towards the sea for better air. But they suggested I try and relax. But the travel didn’t help me at all. I’ve been feeling worse since I arrived. They don’t seem to think I’m contagious, but I do understand if you don’t want to stay with me for too long.”
“We can brave it,” Heather said. “When did you book this vacation?”
“Oh, about two weeks ago,” said Agnes. “That was about the time my doctor suggested the salt air.”
“Why did you settle on this location?” asked Heather.
“I had always wanted to visit Key West,” said Agnes. “I heard it was one of the most beautiful and fun places. I felt certain I could relax here.”
“And why this bed and breakfast?” asked Ryan.
“You’re going to think it sounds silly, but I chose it because of the name. It had “by the sea” in its title, and I thought it was a sign. Because that was exactly what I was looking for.”
"I guess that makes sense," said Amy. "Sometimes I just close my eyes and point at a spot on a map to make traveling decisions."
“Of course, now I don’t believe it was a sign,” said Agnes. “A man has died here, and I feel like I’m at death’s door myself.”
“Would you like for us to get you a doctor?” Ryan asked.
“No, no,” said Agnes. “I don’t want to be any bother. Besides, there are so few doctors I really trust.”
“We know you didn’t socialize much while here,” said Heather. “But do you know anyone else staying here?”
Agnes had another coughing fit but then collected herself.
“No. I’m afraid not,” she replied. “The owner of the hotel, Bea, has been very kind to me. But I don’t know anyone else. I’ve barely seen anyone else here. I’ve kept to myself mostly, trying to recuperate.”
“Have you heard anything unusual while you’ve been in your room?” Ryan asked.
“No,” said Agnes. “Perhaps if the killer had used a gun, I might be more helpful.”
“What about anyone moving around last night?” asked Ryan.
"There was something that woke me up last night," said Agnes. "I heard voices in the hallway, and they frightened me. I went into the hall to see what was happening. And that's when I ran into you."
Heather nodded. “I told her that it sounded like a lovers’ quarrel. Of course, now I’m not so sure.”
“And I was feeling so poorly and was so frightened that I didn’t give this furry fellow the proper attention,” Agnes said, petting Dave’s head. “I wish I had noticed him. He might have made me feel better then too.”
Then Agnes began coughing so badly that she scared Dave off the bed. Heather helped her to sit up and handed her some more water.
“Thank you,” Agnes said. “I’m sorry about this.”
“It’s all right,” Heather said. “I think we’ll go and check on your meal now and let you rest. I think we’ve asked enough questions. Unless you can think of anything else that might help us figure out who snuck into the kitchen and added the poison last night.”
“Well, there is one more thing,” Agnes said. “After you had left with your dog, I went to check that my door was locked and heard someone in the hall. I thought it might have been one of the people from the argument. But now you have me considering that they were actually planning a murder.”
“Did you see who it was?” asked Heather.
“I don’t know anyone’s names, I’m afraid,” said Agnes. “Except for the victim’s family from the police questioning.”
“What did he or she look like?”
“She had dark hair,” said Agnes. “One of the young ladies here with her boyfriend.”
“That sounds like Trish,” said Heather.
“And she looked upset,” Agnes said. She coughed and then asked, “Does that help at all?”
“It just might,” said Heather. “I think we need to talk to Trish one-on-one.”
“Three-on-one?” Ryan asked.
“Three and a furry puppy on one,” said Amy.
“Regardless,” Heather said, trying not to laugh. “We need to get some answers from her.”
The Couples
“Trish?” Heather called, as she and her team searched for her around the bed and breakfast.
“I didn’t think this place was that big,” Amy said. “But after wandering all around it, now I’m tired.”
“Trish?” Ryan called.
“Why are you looking for Trish?” Mike asked entering the room.
“We’d like to ask her some questions,” Heather said.
“About what?” asked Mike.
“The murder,” Amy said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
“She didn’t have anything to do with it,” said Mike. “And why are you asking questions?”
“Detective Smith said we could investigate on our own,” Heather said. “We’re licensed private investigators.”
“And who hired you to come here?” he asked. “Did you know I was coming here? I can’t believe it. You were here when I arrived.”
“Why would we come after you?” Heather asked.
“Sure. Play dumb,” Mike said. “She’s trying to gather some blackmail too. Fight fire with fire. But I’m a bigger inferno. You’ll just see.”
“Hey, hot-head,” said Amy. “What are you going on about?”
“As if you don’t know,” said Mike. “We’ll just see who finds Trish first.”
“You’re blackmailing her?” Ryan said. “That’s quite an offense. I think we should call in Detectives Smith and Peters.”
“Wait,” Mike said. “I never said that. I never said I was blackmailing her. You’re trying to put words in my mouth. I didn’t do anything.”
“Hey, Ames,” Heather said. “How much of a jump is it from blackmail to murder?”
“Depends on the person,” Amy said. “But I think he’d be willing to take a running start and jump.”
“Wait a minute,” Mike said. “Let’s all just calm down now. Take a breather. I didn’t kill that guy. I had no idea who he was. Let’s all relax.”
“Mike!”
They turned and saw Kylie storming into the room.
“Mike,” she said. “This is the worst vacation ever.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t plan on there being a murder investigation.”
"Even before he died, this was boring. I thought this was going to be so exciting. I thought that sure, we're a new couple. But he's so spontaneous and romantic. He wants to go Key West for the weekend. Then we arrive. You're hot, and you're cold. And I'm bored. And now, we can't even leave the stupid bed and breakfast. Which if you remember, I didn't even want to come to."
“She’s right,” said Amy. “We heard her say she wanted to go to the big hotel.”
“But he was insistent on staying at this specific bed and breakfast?” Heather asked.
“Yeah,” Kylie said. “We passed several that looked nicer too. But he insisted we stay here. And look what it became - the murder lodge!”
“Kylie, just calm down. I promise to make it up to you,” he said. “Now why don’t you go back to the room?”
“Why? So you can ignore me some more? Go off on late night walks without me?”
“He left you alone last night?” Heather prompted.
Kylie didn't need any other encouragement. She went into a tirade about how this had been her worst vacation ever and how Mike was fast becoming her worst boyfriend ever. Mike had convinced her to go on a whirlwind vacation at the last minute but then had started acting weird. He had been leaving her on her own for what she thought were secret meetings.
“And I want to walk out on him, but we’re not allowed to leave this stupid place,” Kylie finished.
“Kylie, calm down,” Mike said. “And stop talking so much. You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re making it sound like I might be a killer.”
“Were you meeting someone last night?” Heather asked.
“No,” said Mike.
“Let me rephrase that,” said Heather. “I heard the end of an argument late last night and saw you walking away from it. Who was the woman you were talking to?”
“Another woman?” Kylie asked. “Should I even be surprised? You’re the worst.”
“When I heard the woman say that she couldn’t do something and you suggested it happened in the morning, what were you talking about?” asked Heather.
“Not poisoning some stranger,” said Mike. “It was a personal matter.”
“How personal?” asked Kylie with her hands on her hips. “Are you cheating on me? How dare you? We’re done.”
“You want to be done, fine. We’re done,” Mike said. “We never really were anyway. I just brought you here to try and make Trish jealous.”
“What?”
“Yeah,” Mike said. “I was just trying to get my ex back.”
“This was a pretty messed up way to do it,” Kylie said. “And you’re terrible. And I’m glad I’m getting away from you. And I am totally hotter than her. Your loss.”
With that, she stormed out of the room.
“I have to agree with the messed up part,” said Amy.
“You don’t understand,” said Mike.
“Then help us understand,” said Ryan. “If it doesn’t have anything to do with criminal activity, then we can leave it alone.”
Trish entered the room with a red spot on her face. “Kylie just slapped me in the face. I’ve never been slapped before.”
Heather reached into her bag and found an instant cold compress that she had been carrying around since Field Day at Lilly’s school in case any of the kids had fallen down. Trish accepted the compress, but there was still fire in her eyes.
“I broke up with her,” Mike said. “I told her I was in love with you.”
“I’m not in love with you,” Trish said. “I can’t stand you.”
To prove her point she threw the cold compress at his head. He ducked and then moved closer to her.
“Why don’t we get back together?” Mike asked. “We were good together. And you always come back. I’m the only one who understands.”
“I’m in love with Travis,” she said.
“Then it would be a shame if he found out, wouldn’t it?” Mike asked.
“This does sound like blackmail,” said Heather. “Would you like to press charges?”
“We’d be happy to help you,” Ryan assured her.
"No," Trish said. "I don't want Travis to find out. If he learned I'm being blackmailed, then he'd try and figure out why. I don't want Travis to know."
“To know what?” Travis asked, entering the room.
Not Quite the Vacation They Were Planning
“Nothing,” Trish stuttered, replying to Travis’s question. “Nothing at all.”
Heather, Amy, and Ryan all took a step back from the lover's triangle forming in front of them. Dave wanted to stay in the center of attention but allowed himself to be pulled back with a few tugs on his leash.
“As soon as he learns, he’ll leave you,” Mike said. “But I’ll be right here to catch you. I’ll always love you.”
“Trish, who is this man?” Travis asked.
“My ex-boyfriend,” she said.
“That’s why you wanted to leave early? Why didn’t you just tell me?” Travis said.
“It’s not that simple,” said Trish.
“Not with the secret she’s carrying,” said Mike.
“You stay out of this,” said Travis.
“Remem
ber at breakfast when I said I had a butter knife for the tension?” asked Amy. “I think now we need a broadsword.”
“I don’t know how he found out we would be here,” Trish said. “But he always does this. He finds me and scares off my boyfriends.”
“You posted about your trip online,” Mike said. “When I saw the name of the bed and breakfast, it was easy to find out where you were.”
“I’m not going to be scared off,” Travis told her.
“You say that now,” said Trish.
“I mean it.”
“Are you super curious about what it is?” Amy whispered to Heather. “Because I am.”
“I’m not sure if it had anything to do with Gideon Ridgefield’s murder or not,” Heather replied. “If it does, then we need to hear about it.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” Travis said.
Amy tried to contain her gasp. She was dying to hear Trish’s secret and didn’t want him to stop the reveal.
Travis said, “We can pretend this never happened.”
“But can we really?” Trish asked. “Won’t it always be in the back of your mind now?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Travis said. “Nothing is going to change how I feel about you. I love you, Trish Hathaway.”
“Well, there’s your first problem,” said Mike. “Her name isn’t Trish Hathaway.”
“Quiet,” Travis told him.
Trish sighed and then started explaining. She kept her eyes on the ground as she said, “He’s right though. My name isn’t Trish Hathaway. It used to be Trish Bundaloo.”
“I could see why she changed it,” Amy muttered. “It sounds like a cartoon character. But is that what she’s being blackmailed for?”
“I changed it to separate myself from my father, Bryan Bundaloo,” Trish said. “I was dating Mike at the time that the scandal broke out. I’m sure you remember the tabloid articles saying: BundaLoopHole. And things like that. He swindled thousands of people out of their life savings. And a lot of people lost their money and lost their homes. I didn’t understand it at the time. I didn’t know about his business, but maybe I should have. I was a freshman in college when he was found out. I had my name legally changed after the trial. The testimony against him was heartbreaking. He’s one of the most hated men in America. And I’m his daughter.”
Blackberry Cream & Murder Page 5
