by Krista Davis
“I guess you heard.” I dusted off my skort and dropped onto the sofa.
Trixie trotted to Oma’s chair and placed her paws on Oma’s knees as though she knew Oma needed comforting.
Stella stopped at the door and looked around.
Oma stroked Trixie and Gingersnap. “Diane was a wonderful person. I can’t imagine why anyone would have done this to her. It is heartbreaking.”
Stella ventured farther into the room, treading cautiously. Her nostrils twitched as she took in the new scents.
“Is that Diane’s Stella?”
I nodded. “Stella stayed with Diane until we coaxed her away. I think she’s kind of lost and confused right now.”
Oma held her hand out to Stella. “We will keep her here until everything is settled.”
“Fine by me.” I fetched a GPS collar from the registration desk and fastened it on Stella. I didn’t want to lose her if she wandered off or went home. “Does Dave have any leads? Any ideas?”
Oma stared at Stella. “She knows. You saw what happened, didn’t you, Stella?”
Eleven
Stella lay down by Oma’s ankles, her eyelids heavy. She had been through a lot over the last twenty-four hours. She was probably worn-out.
“Do you think she could have bitten the person who killed Diane?” I asked.
“It’s possible. Or perhaps she ripped their clothes.”
“Dave said a screen was torn. All the dogs must have been barking and making a big fuss.”
“Perhaps Diane was out with Stella when the person broke into her home and hid?” Oma postulated.
The thought turned my stomach. “Either way, the neighbors must have heard barking.”
“They did,” said Dave from the doorway. He walked in and sat down beside me, wearily rubbing his face with both hands. “I’ve had at least three calls from people who heard barking at Diane’s house last night around two in the morning. I’ll be very surprised if the coroner doesn’t find that as the approximate time of death.”
“So someone killed her at her house and then drove her up the mountain in the middle of the night to dispose of her body?” I was aghast.
“I think that pretty much sums it up. Except for the torn screen, the house looks like she left to go to the supermarket. No blood. Nothing turned over or out of place. No evidence of a struggle or confrontation.”
I felt a little bit guilty for what I was about to say. Still, Dave had to know. “One of our guests, Rae Rae Babetski, knew Diane. It’s been a long time, but if anyone had a reason to hate Diane and Howard, it’s Rae Rae. She was best friends with Diane, who was having an affair with Howard, who happened to be Rae Rae’s fiancé. She didn’t find out until the day of the wedding. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, Diane was pregnant with Howard’s child.”
“Our guest?” Oma frowned at me. “Surely you don’t think she killed Diane?”
“I don’t know that she had anything to do with Diane’s death. She said she hadn’t seen her in years. But I did see Rae Rae driving around in one of our golf carts after midnight.”
“Liesel, would you mind if I used your office to ask Rae Rae some questions?”
Wagtail didn’t have an official satellite police station. Dave often borrowed the office at the inn when he needed to question people in private.
Oma stretched and stood up. “Ja, of course. I’ll take Stella with me.”
Dave held up his hand. “Let’s leave Stella in here if it’s okay with you. It might be interesting to see her reaction to Rae Rae.”
“Stella walked up the mountain and back with Rae Rae and me. I’m pretty sure Rae Rae even fed her some hamburger.”
“Mmm. Thanks for telling me that. Stella probably thinks Rae Rae is wonderful. Still, you can leave her here if you don’t mind.”
Oma and Gingersnap set off for the main lobby.
I hadn’t done my rounds in the inn yet that day. “I’ll stop by Rae Rae’s room and send her down here.”
Weariness was beginning to set in, but I got to my feet and took the back stairs up to the second floor of the inn. Trixie trotted along beside me.
Rae Rae was staying in Jump. I knocked on the door and heard someone stirring in the room. “Rae Rae, it’s Holly.”
She opened the door holding a tissue. Mascara and eyeliner had smudged on her cheeks. It appeared that she had frantically wiped her face. She forced a smile and sniffled. “I’m sorry. I had a little meltdown when we came back. All the way down the mountain I kept thinking of Diane and the times we spent together. We were so young. Like Camille and Marlee are now. Everything seemed possible. We had such big dreams.” She struggled to smile while tears ran down her cheeks. “I’m a mess. It all came pouring out.”
“Officer Dave from the police department is here. He’d like to speak with you.”
She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “I’ll pull myself together and be there in a moment.”
“He’s in the office.” I pointed toward the stairs. “Just go to the registration desk and Zelda will show you.”
“Thank you, Holly.” She closed the door.
I walked away thinking how hard it must have been for her to stay composed while we were on the mountain. Out of habit, I stooped to pick up a scrap of paper that someone had lost on the floor. I continued walking through all the hallways, checking to be sure nothing was out of order. Though I longed for a nap, I would have to make do with a shower.
I let myself into my apartment and tossed the scrap of paper into the trash. It lay there, almost as if it were taunting me, and when I looked closer, I noticed there was a photo of Stella on it.
I grabbed a plastic food storage bag from my kitchen cabinet, turned it inside out, and stuck my hand in it. I had probably already ruined any fingerprints on that scrap, but I might as well be careful. I picked up the paper and flipped the bag over it. It had been torn but was readily identifiable. Someone at the inn had ripped and dropped Diane’s business card.
Forgoing my shower, I hurried back downstairs with my scrap of paper to hand it over to Dave before he left. As I approached the reception lobby, I heard a loud voice.
I scrambled down the stairs and found myself face-to-face with Howard Hirschtritt. Up close, he looked much older than I remembered from his TV shows. I wanted to imagine him as the wisecracking detective he had played, but in person, there was no disguising his true colors. His eyes flashed with anger.
Zelda, who was no cowering lily, had taken a step back from the registration desk as though she was fearful.
I sucked up courage. “May I help you?”
“At last. I hope you have half a brain. I should like to check into my room, please.”
I desperately wanted to defend Zelda, but if there was one thing Oma had pounded into my head when I was a kid, it was to always be polite to guests. Always! “I’m so sorry, but you gave up your reservation yesterday and we’re filled to capacity.”
“I did not give up my reservation. I merely did not exercise it for one night.”
I gave him my best sweet smile while thinking what an annoying dolt he was. Did he really get away with things like this because he was a star? “Now, Mr. Hirschtritt, I think we both know that if that were the case, we would have to keep all our rooms open indefinitely in case someone changed his mind. Your confirmation stated very clearly that if you did not check in by six p.m., you would forfeit your room and it would be given to someone else.”
“That’s just nonsense. I know that’s hospitality business speak for overbooking.”
“I’m afraid not. In any case, we gave your room to someone else after you left here, because you made it very clear that you were not staying.”
His eyes softened, and he stepped toward me. “Listen,” he murmured, “there was a murder in town last night. I need to stay some
place where there are other people.” He gazed around and pointed at the sliding doors. “Someplace that has a security system like you do.”
He’d be mighty disappointed to meet our nighttime security system. Casey Collins resembled Harry Potter and spent most of his time noshing in the kitchen or napping. Besides, I was fairly sure that Howard wasn’t sincere and was playing a role that he knew very well.
“I heard about the murder. But it doesn’t change the fact that we don’t have any rooms available. You can check back with us daily to see if the situation changes.”
He nervously twisted his hands. “You don’t understand. I can’t go back there. I might be next.”
Zelda gasped.
“I hope you’re being melodramatic,” I said, trying to keep my voice level and calm. “Why would anyone murder you?”
He stared at me silently, which prompted me to wonder if he needed a script for his next line.
At that moment, the door to the office opened and Rae Rae emerged with Dave.
“Perfect timing,” I said. “You can tell Officer Dave all about it.”
Howard launched himself at Rae Rae. “How many beds are in your room? Is there a sofa? Can I shack up with you?”
Rae Rae drew away from him. “Hello, Howie. It’s nice to see you again, too,” she uttered sarcastically.
He shot her an annoyed look. “I’m serious.”
Rae Rae’s face wrinkled up. “Is this some sort of joke? Absolutely not! What kind of example would that set?”
“Kindness. Generosity.” Howard’s fists clenched, but his face seemed hopeful. “Love.”
Rae Rae snorted and laughed. “Get your own room.”
“They gave it away.”
“Then stay wherever you spent last night.”
A sly look came over him. It occurred to me that when he looked that way on TV, it made me laugh. In person, it wasn’t so funny.
“We’re supposed to be bonding.” He opened his hands and held them palms up. “C’mon, Rae Rae. For old times’ sake. We used to have great times together.”
“And who ruined that?” asked Rae Rae.
“Don’t tell me you’re still holding a grudge all these years later?”
To Dave I said, “Howard thinks he’s going to be murdered next. And if I’m not mistaken, he knew Diane Blushner very well.”
Howard turned toward me in wretched horror.
Dave beckoned to him. “Why don’t we have a little chat in private?”
“Well, now you’ve done it. Thanks a lot,” he grumbled at me.
Rae Rae laughed like she was truly amused. “If you’re going to play the victim then you have to expect the consequences.”
“You know me so well.” And with that, Howard took a bow. “I’m sorry if I scared anyone.” He hooked his arm through Rae Rae’s. “You look terrific. May I buy you a drink?”
“Not so fast.” Dave crooked a finger at Howard. “I’d like to have a word with you first.”
It seemed as though Dave had knocked the steam out of Howard. His shoulders sagged as he trudged into the office.
When the door closed, Zelda whispered, “I’d like to be a fly on the wall in there.”
Rae Rae smirked. “Not me. I’ve heard enough of Howard’s lies for a lifetime. If you’ll excuse me, I believe I’ll take a little nap.”
She ambled away, her expression revealing her real feelings of heartache.
Zelda leaned over the counter toward me. “Do you think they could possibly be involved in Diane’s death?”
“Seems unlikely. And Rae Rae doesn’t look too worried. But I did see her barreling along the street after midnight in one of our golf carts.”
Zelda’s eyes grew large. She rustled around under the counter and pulled out the golf cart log. She pointed at a signature. “Casey signed one out to her last night. I guess we’d better tell Dave, huh?”
“I already did.” I was eager to hear what Dave would say, so I busied myself tidying the registration lobby.
It wasn’t long before Howard reappeared, looking none the worse for his interview with Dave. “Where’s Rae Rae?”
“She went to her room to take a nap,” said Zelda.
“Okay. Which room is she in?”
I pointed at the house phone. “You may call her if you like.”
Howard stared at me as though I was a nut. “What do you people think you are? The Ritz? I could just stand right here and yell her name and she’d probably hear me.”
That might be true. But I stood my ground.
“Aw, forget it. Forget all of you!” Howard marched out the sliding glass doors.
“He’s a real disappointment, isn’t he?” said Dave. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to enjoy his shows again.”
“Do you think he was playacting when he said he would be murdered next?” I asked.
“How does a guy come to Wagtail for the first time in his life and less than twenty-four hours later he’s afraid for his life? I don’t think so,” said Dave. “But I do think he’s worried about something.”
“Maybe he angered someone enough to drive him to murder,” I said.
Zelda handed Dave the golf cart log.
“Thank you.”
I couldn’t read his expression. “Is Rae Rae a suspect?” I whispered.
“I’m not sure. Rae Rae readily admits that she was out and about last night.”
Twelve
“Did she see Diane?” I asked.
“She claims she didn’t even realize that Diane lived here. She went out checking up on the others. Said she didn’t want one of them acting in an unbecoming way or lying in the street intoxicated. It was her job to prevent that.”
“But they’re all adults,” Zelda protested.
Dave’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah. Seems like something is going on with this group, though. Y’all keep me posted on what they’re up to.”
“I hope Howard doesn’t come back,” said Zelda. “Where’s he staying that he dislikes so much?”
“He rented the house with the red roof on Elm Street. It’s a pretty nice place.” Dave chuckled. “Maybe he just likes it better when he can call for room service.”
“No wonder he’s scared. That place is set way back on the lot with trees all around the rear for privacy.” Now that Howard was gone and the drama had ceased, I remembered the partial business card I had discovered upstairs and handed it to Dave. “I found this on the floor where Pippin’s group is staying.”
Dave’s eyebrows rose as he examined it. “Now that is interesting. Sheds a new light on things. One of them must have had some interest in Diane. Maybe even had contact with her.” Dave grinned at us. “You know the trouble with these actors? Their chosen profession makes it so much harder to tell when they’re lying!” He walked to the door. “Tell Liesel I said thanks for letting me use the office.”
I finally took the time for my shower. But I had barely stepped out when my phone rang. I threw on the plush Sugar Maple Inn bathrobe that Oma had embroidered with my name. My hair wringing wet, I answered the phone.
“Holly, liebling, a number of residents are gathering in the dining area to discuss the missing dogs and Diane’s murder. Could you please help Mr. Huckle put out some things to nosh on?”
“Absolutely. I’ll be right there.” On days like this I was glad to have long hair that could air-dry and be pulled into a ponytail. I threw on a summery white skort and a violet top. Trixie watched me dress, pacing and stretching, as though she was restless.
We hurried down the back stairs and through the private kitchen. In the main lobby, residents of Wagtail had begun to gather. I spotted Augie petting Stella. “Please, won’t you come and have a seat?” I gestured to the dining area.
Poor old Mr. Huckle was trying his best to roll a buffet table into pla
ce. He gave me a grateful look and a pat on the shoulder when I offered to take over.
I shoved it against the wall and threw a vibrant rose-colored cloth over it. While Mr. Huckle arranged platters in the kitchen, I started coffee and tea brewing and brought out napkins, cutlery, plates, and mugs. In a matter of minutes, the buffet was covered with hors d’oeuvres. Mr. Huckle might not be a professional chef, but he knew how to throw together lovely platters of mini ham quiches, crudités, and smoked trout toasts.
I searched the freezer and found chocolate cupcakes. They would thaw in half an hour before anyone was ready for them. I looked for a three-tiered server and loaded it up with the cupcakes.
I left them in the kitchen to thaw and joined the throng in the dining area as Oma was clinking her mug with a fork to get their attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, please have a seat. First, I would like us to share a moment of silence in memory of our wonderful Diane, who was taken from us far before her time.”
Everyone grew quiet and bowed their heads. I noticed that Augie’s wife, Glenda, reached out for his hand.
After the moment of silence, it was Dave who got the meeting going. “A lot of you have been asking me questions about Diane. At this point, I don’t have much to tell you. I can say with confidence that I don’t think anyone else is in danger. At least preliminarily, Diane appears to have been targeted.”
“But she’s a dog breeder,” someone called out. “A lot of us are, too. And the two dogs that went missing are purebreds that can fetch a good price. How do we know we won’t be killed so they can steal our dogs?”
“That’s right,” said a man with a white beard. “I think Diane died protecting her dogs. It could have been any of us.”
“Do you think there’s a connection between Diane’s death and the dogs that were stolen?” asked a woman.
Dave responded quickly. “We don’t know yet, but it’s clearly something we have to consider. However, none of Diane’s dogs are missing, so it seems unlikely, at least at this time, that she was killed by someone intent on stealing them.”