Murder at the Seaside Hotel: A 1920's Historical Cozy Mystery (An Evie Parker Mystery Book 5)

by Sonia Parin

“Did she ever mention someone she might have met at Worthing?”

  Ruth hesitated and then gave a brisk shake of her head. “No, No one. She always wrote about the different people staying at the hotel and went on about the ladies’ gowns and how posh the place was. May always liked nice things and on her half days off, she’d always wear her prettiest dress and pretend to be a grand lady. She said she used to take afternoon tea at one of the tea rooms and hold conversations with herself, always pretending she was one of the ladies. It was all fun and games to her. She told me she went to see a play once and had loved it so much, she dreamed of being a stage actress.”

  “So, she wanted to improve her life.”

  Ruth’s cheeks colored. She gave Evie a brisk smile. “S-she liked to daydream but she was happy working as a maid because it gave her the time to dream.” Ruth hesitated, then hurried to add, “When she worked here at the tea room, the proprietress had wanted to train her to do the books because she was smart with numbers but May lost interest. She said doing the books made her think too hard and she didn’t have time to daydream.” Ruth gave a sorrowful shake of her head. “Now she won’t dream no more… I mean, any more.”

  “When did you last hear from her?” Evie asked.

  Ruth met her gaze. Giving a tentative nod, she said, “A month ago.” She dug inside her bag and produced a folded piece of paper. “This is the letter she wrote. See, here’s the date.” Looking over her shoulder, she excused herself saying she needed to run an errand.

  “Well,” Tom said, “what do you make of that? Oh, wait. Let me guess. She lied through her teeth.”

  “Mr. Tom Winchester, have some pity for that poor girl. Couldn’t you see she was grieving?”

  “Actually, no. Shouldn’t her eyes be puffy or… her cheeks blotchy from crying? She just lost her best friend.”

  “Not everyone wears their heart on their sleeve,” Evie said.

  “So, you believed everything she said.”

  “I have no reason to doubt her.” In the first days after losing her husband, Evie had sounded like a somnambulist, her words comings out in complete sentences but without any real spark or enthusiasm. Anyone might have thought she had been unfeeling. In reality, she had been hollow inside.

  “Where do we go from here?” Tom asked.

  “We could walk around and hope someone else can tell us more about May Fields but it might look odd if we stop everyone we encounter and ask questions.” Evie looked around. “Besides, there don’t appear to be many people out and about. It would definitely look awkward if we start knocking on doors. Perhaps we should head back.”

  “As long as we’re here, we might as well have a look at the flint mine…”

  Heavens. Evie had hoped he’d forgotten about the flint mine…

  “In my defense, if we hadn’t gone to see the flint mine, I would not have known there really wasn’t much to see and I would have felt I’d missed out on something.”

  Evie patted Tom on the shoulder. “I didn’t say anything, Tom.”

  “You were thinking it. In fact, I’m sure you were thinking something along the lines of so much for the flint mine.”

  Evie laughed. “I don’t blame you, I’m sure you expected more. I suppose it’s interesting enough to know ancient people mined it. In fact, if you think about it, we stood right where someone stood hundreds of years ago.” Evie tilted her head. “Then again, we do that practically every day of our lives.”

  “You’re amusing yourself at my expense.” Tom drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I didn’t know enough about the flint mines to actually appreciate what I was looking at. I’m sure an expert would be able to point that out to me.”

  “Would you like to find an expert?”

  Tom murmured something she didn’t quite understand under his breath.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “Lunch. We could return to the hotel or stop somewhere as soon as we reach Worthing. Which will happen at any moment now.”

  “Lunch sounds like a good idea.” Evie looked down at herself. “Although, I’m not really dressed for it.”

  “In other words, you would like to return to the hotel to change.”

  “Now that you mention it, yes. That would be lovely. Thank you for suggesting it. You might want to change out of those dusty clothes too.”

  “Now that you mention it… I have no choice.”

  Being driven along the main street that ran alongside the beach gave Evie the opportunity to watch everyone going about their business as if nothing had happened. In time, she thought, everyone would have forgotten about the incident outside the St. James Hotel.

  Tom brought the roadster to a stop right in front of the hotel so they didn’t have far to walk.

  As Evie stepped out of the roadster, she stopped and gazed down at the sidewalk. The hotel staff had done a thorough job of cleaning up. She couldn’t see any sign of the distressing incident from the day before.

  “I know we didn’t talk about this. I suppose there would have been a lot of damage to her body.”

  Tom lowered his voice. “She fell face down. I imagine all the bones would have been shattered.”

  The sun broke through the clouds. Yet, Evie shivered and hurried inside the hotel. “I’ll see you shortly.”

  She let herself into her room, took off her hat and sat on the edge of the chaise lounge at the foot of her bed. Had the trip to Findon been worth their while? It didn’t feel like it.

  She hoped Caro had made some progress with the maids. They had told the police May Fields hadn’t been happy. Had they noticed anything else about her?

  Evie sat back. May’s friend, Ruth Charles, had said she’d been a dreamer. She’d received a letter from her only a month before. They’d made plans for Christmas.

  What had happened during the last few weeks to change her life? What had made her unhappy?

  Evie remembered mentioning the possibility of May Fields having an encounter with someone but she hadn’t discussed it at great length with Tom. What if one of the hotel guests had accosted her and made an improper advance?

  The experience might have been too much for a young woman from a small village… May Fields might have felt ashamed and unable to confide in anyone. She would have carried that burden. Yes, she might even have felt ashamed. That could definitely change the way a person felt about life.

  Evie tipped her head back and stared up at the ceiling. Just then, the door to her room opened and Caro came in.

  “Milady! I came in on the off chance that you might be here.”

  “Oh, Caro. I hope you’ve had some luck.”

  Caro got busy selecting a gown for Evie. “I spoke with all the maids.”

  “All of them!”

  Caro nodded. “I started on this floor and made my way up. I found everyone I met quite lovely. For some reason, I had assumed they wouldn’t all be nice. I only have experience working in a large house and we tend to be a bit uppity about our roles.” Caro laughed. “Some of us think we’re better off working for a prominent family because it feels more prestigious. Personally, I like the feeling of belonging, of walking into the kitchen and knowing everyone. Of course, I’m sure that happens here too… Anyway, I’m prattling on. They all said the same thing about May Fields. She worked hard and never slacked off. Also, she never missed a day of work.”

  “Did anyone mention anything about her being unhappy?”

  “One maid said May had been quiet the last few days and not her usual cheerful self.”

  “What about friends?”

  “No. One maid said she’d invited her to go to a fair but May liked to take her half days in the middle of the week and go out alone.”

  Evie remembered Ruth saying May Fields enjoyed playing at make-believe.

  Evie looked down at her hands. “Did she have any special friendships with the men working here?”

  “I thought you might want to know about that so I asked and, no, she didn’t. I had already spo
ken with the waiters and they all sounded lovely but I wanted to find out how the maids felt about them.”

  “What made you think to ask?”

  Caro blushed slightly. “Well, Edmonds and I have been talking and we are having trouble believing she jumped to her death…”

  Evie’s lips parted. Had she found allies in Edmonds and Caro? She hadn’t been able to convince Tom of her rising suspicions. Then again, she suspected he might be helping her in other ways. With good reason, Evie thought. The police had already shown a lack of interest in the case. If she wanted them to look into it further, she would have to present a strong case. Tom, whether he realized it or not, had been giving her a gentle encouragement. The moment she knew she had convinced Tom, she would know she had solid proof to present to the police.

  Caro continued by saying, “I’ve heard of a few incidents where a footman got a bit fresh with one of the maids. It’s possible the same thing happened here and May couldn’t deal with it.”

  “Did any of the maids at the hotel express concerns about the guests?”

  Caro looked pleased with herself when she said, “I asked about that too. They have a strict no-nonsense policy here and anything out of order has to be reported to the manager.”

  “Well, I’m glad to hear someone is doing right by the staff here.” Evie looked toward the window. “What else did you discuss with Edmonds?”

  “We were only wondering if she might’ve had a reason to jump.”

  What if May Fields had given someone a reason to push her?

  Chapter 9

  “The hotel manager runs a tight ship,” Evie said as she settled down to lunch with Tom. “He doesn’t allow any shenanigans to take place at his hotel.”

  “Is that what he would like everyone to believe?” Tom asked.

  Evie sat back and studied him. “You are taking your devil’s advocate duties so seriously, I’m having trouble deciding who’s side you are on.”

  “I’m on your side, Countess.”

  When had Tom Winchester started calling her Countess? And what did it mean?

  It had taken some doing but she had finally managed to convince him to stop using her title. He had then moved on to calling her ma’am. Even with his Boston accent, it had sounded too formal so Evie had pushed to convince him to use her first name, something even Henrietta, a stalwart observer of etiquette, found quaint. Although, the dowager still believed Tom Winchester was a friend from back home. Regardless, even if Henrietta knew Tom was Evie’s bodyguard, she would still find it all quaint and amusing.

  Evie drummed her fingers on the table. He’d referred to her as Countess once before. This would be the second time. Evie decided to wait longer before forming any opinions.

  Looking over his shoulder, she said, “Mr. and Mrs. Prentiss have taken a table behind you.” Lowering her voice, she added, “They still look somber. There is definitely something wrong with that couple. They should be ecstatically happy to be here, enjoying their stay.”

  “Are they directly behind me?” Tom asked.

  “Two tables away, but sound travels. I suggest referring to them as the quietly morose couple.”

  “Have you become suspicious of them?” Tom asked.

  Yes, but only after talking with Caro. What if someone had pushed May Fields? “It makes sense to start looking at motives and suspects. You say the police look at the physical evidence. Clearly, they did not find any. Or… they didn’t look hard enough.”

  “It’s possible the police know something you don’t and see no reason to pursue the matter,” Tom reasoned.

  “Are you suggesting they might have known about some sort of mental affliction which led her to end her life? That’s not possible. All the maids say she was a happy sort.” Evie took a sip of water and told herself Tom had every right to hold his own opinions. “Where was I?”

  “You were telling me about your suspicions.”

  “Oh, yes... We know May Fields cleaned the room above mine and we also know the quietly morose couple is currently staying there.”

  “And?”

  “I have always been slightly wary of quiet people. What aren’t they saying? What are they hiding? More to the point. What is he hiding?”

  Tom employed his utmost discretion to look around. A moment later, he straightened. “Are you about to suggest he behaved in an unacceptable manner?”

  Leaning forward, she murmured, “Actually, I had been playing around with the idea of him being the type who always misbehaves because he knows he can get away with it by issuing threats.” She drew in a breath and delivered her character portrait. “He always makes sure to pick someone who is his social inferior and, perhaps, dependent on him for their livelihood. He is a devil in disguise and he uses a façade of unhappiness to hide the character trait. Anyone who knows him would describe him as an amiable man. Polite, quiet and an upstanding member of his community.”

  “You have a vivid imagination, Countess.”

  There it was again! “Yes, but do you approve of my theory?” She hoped she wouldn’t have to spell it out to him.

  “I wouldn’t discount it.” Tom looked around again. “I will have to have a word with the concierge. He might impart some information about the couple.”

  “Caro did splendidly today. I only asked her to have a chat with the maids and she ended up asking quite a few pertinent questions. Some of which hadn’t even occurred to me. But it was all enough to set my mind alight with ideas.” Perusing the menu, Evie wondered if she could get away with ordering some sandwiches because she would prefer to focus all her attention on finding a solid lead. Without one, May Fields might never get justice. “What are you ordering?”

  “Fillet Mignon with potatoes. I believe I will need some sustenance to keep me going. Or, rather, to help me keep up with you.”

  “I think I’ll have the same.”

  “Tell me more about your theory. What do you think happened here?”

  “As unpalatable and disturbing as it might sound, he might have used her.” Evie cringed at the thought of him forcing himself on the poor woman. In the next instant, Evie changed her mind. “Perhaps not in the way I originally thought.” Evie gazed into the distance. “Now I’m thinking he might have made promises he had no intention of keeping. This is the scenario. May Fields is a dreamer. She dreams of a better life. He offers her that. Once he has his way with her, he shatters her dreams by dismissing her. Broken-hearted, she decides she cannot live without him so she ends it all.”

  Tom’s eyebrows curved up. “You think he is a scoundrel who sold her a few empty promises.” He brushed his hand across his chin. “I’m having trouble seeing May Fields as a gullible victim. I believe if she had felt duped, she would have taken matters into her own hands.”

  Evie closed her eyes for a moment. She hadn’t actually drawn a picture of May. In fact, she had no idea what she had looked like. Making a mental note to ask Caro if she could ask around, she said, “Yes, you’re right. So, let’s follow that line of thinking. She’s angry because he promised her a better life so she threatens to tell his wife. Worse. She knows he is a lawyer so she will contact his legal firm and tell them what he has done. She will move heaven and earth to discredit him and bring his real character to light.”

  Tom leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Evie’s. “And he decides to stop her.”

  Evie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Yes.”

  Lowering his voice, Tom said, “By pushing her off the balcony.”

  Oh, well… Yes. But when? They had seen the couple at the tea room. “I’m guessing you now wish to know when he might have carried out his nefarious act. I’m going to ask for some leeway. We’ll continue working on my theory and then iron out the details.”

  “You wish to work with broad brushstrokes and then add in the details.”

  “Tom, I had no idea you had an interest in painting.”

  “I’m sure I read the reference somewhere.”

  Their meals
were served, and Evie suddenly found her appetite.

  “We need to find out if this is the first time Mr. P has stayed in this hotel. Oh… what am I saying. Of course, it is. The hotel has only recently opened. I wonder…” How could they look into his life? Did she know someone she could contact? Yes! Evie brightened. She could telephone her man of business in town… “I aim to find out everything I can about him. Where he works, where he lives. Which club he belongs to.”

  Tom studied her for a long moment before saying, “You want to launch an investigation into the morose couple?”

  “She fell to her death in their room. It makes sense to turn our focus on him.”

  Evie glanced toward the couple in question. Did the wife know about her husband’s philandering activities? Some women were prepared to turn a blind eye to their husband’s questionable behavior for the sake of avoiding a scandal. “We should at least find out if they are newlyweds.” Giving a firm nod, she added, “I’ll contact my man of business. He might be able to dig up some information.”

  Tom smiled. “I believe you are about to establish a network of spies. You already have Caro trained to ask questions you haven’t even considered.”

  “Yes, and you are playing a pivotal role too. I have decided to welcome your opposition. You can make sure I don’t make a fool of myself.” Evie played around with her meal. “Do you think Detective Inspector O’Neill would welcome a telephone call from me?”

  “There is only one way to find out.”

  A while later, Evie stirred her coffee and tried to remember what she usually talked about during a meal when another thought intruded. “I wonder if we could have a look inside Mr. Prentiss’ room.”

  “What happened to contacting Detective Inspector O’Neill?”

  “We will do that as soon as I figure out how to contact him. I have his telephone number.”

  “So, what’s the delay?”

  Evie glanced around and lowered her voice. “Privacy. I suppose we could ask the manager to use his office.”

  “If you are afraid of being overheard, I could stand outside and make sure no one goes near the door.”