Murder, She Slopes

by Rachael Stapleton

Oh my goodness, they had an affair and Justin just found out and killed him in a fit of rage. Of course.

  Finally she took a deep breath and continued. “Anyway, Justin came back a few weeks later, and he forgave us for our indiscretion. Things went back to normal, and I gave birth to Felix that year. Noel left after he was born to make it easier on us—it was too hard having both Noel and Justin around competing for our love—mine and Felix’s.”

  I thought of the letter I’d found hidden in her room. The few sentences I’d been able to quickly read now made sense. Noel had still been in love with her after he left.

  “Does Felix know?” said Cody quietly.

  Marie-Angelique looked trustingly at Cody who’d now approached her, her eyes filled with wonder and tears. “No. I never knew for sure. I didn’t want to know the truth. I mean it was just one time, but I sent Noel letters and pictures at his request, once or twice a year, letting him know how Felix was doing. Then about a year and a half ago—I started to see the resemblance, and I knew I could no longer deny it. I tracked Noel down. He was working on a ranch in Alberta. Felix has been struggling in school for years and experimenting with drugs. Justin has never been interested in him and I needed help. So, I asked Noel to come work here with us.”

  Cody held up a manila envelope. “This is the paternity test, am I right?”

  I thought of how distraught Felix had been earlier. He’d asked for his father but who had he meant?

  Marie-Angelique bit her lip. “I think he figured it out a long time ago. We all just pretended that he didn’t. I guess maybe Noel decided to find out for sure,” she said.

  “You need to come clean to him,” I said. “Noel may have already told him.”

  “I know. He may have. That’s what Noel and Justin were arguing about outside. Noel felt that he had a right to know the truth.” Marie-Angelique closed her eyes. “You must think so poorly of me, to create such a complicated triangle,” she whispered. “I’m not… I mean I wasn’t loose with my morals. I loved Justin, no matter what. It’s just that he left for a long time and I didn’t know if he was coming back. Both Noel and I were so similar… loving the twins—they were so lost.” Then she wept softly. I put my arms around her, rocking her slowly.

  “So Justin killed Noel then, because of all of this? To keep your secret hidden?”

  She shook her head vehemently. “Oh no. He wouldn’t have done it. I mean, I don’t think so, anyway. I just wanted to get rid of the paternity test and then I found all of these photos. I knew it would make Justin look guilty, and he’s not.”

  Cody and I exchanged a look. It also made Marie-Angelique and even Felix looked suspect. Had Holly stumbled over their secret? Things were not looking good for the Tremblés.

  “Okay. We should get back.” I whispered.

  “The detective will want to interview us and it will look suspect if we’ve all disappeared at the same time,” Cody agreed.

  Seventeen

  _____________

  B y twelve o’clock only Cody and I were yet to be interrogated. I reached out and touched Cody’s hand. He grabbed my fingers and held them. Then I leaned forward for a face-to-face kiss.

  “Sorry to interrupt you, Miss Trubble.” I turned my head to see Detective Bumble. Nice timing.

  We walked silently to Marie-Angelique’s office. His blue eyes looked bleary. He dropped heavily into his chair and closed those eyes. I remembered the feeling of working around the clock to solve a case—the lead balloon that lived inside.

  “So, Miss Trubble, did your ex-boyfriend ever discuss Noel Bluebird with you?” Bumble asked in a dull voice. His eyes remained closed. Officer Morin wrote something in his notebook. He looked exhausted, too.

  “No,” I lied. It wasn’t a complete lie. At this point I couldn’t remember what Lucas had said about Noel. Nothing murderous. Anyway, I rationalized, a simple “no” made things easier for Morin to write down.

  “Do you have any reason to believe Mr. Vallerand killed Noel Bluebird?” Bumble droned on.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t.”

  I realized this interview was going to be easy. Detective Bumble was as tired as I was.

  A few more “no” questions and Detective Bumble seemed to wake up. He opened his eyes and leaned forward, pinning me to my chair with his bright blue gaze.

  “Who do you think did it?” he asked. Bumble was serious. And, since he was asking my opinion, he was probably desperate too. Damn.

  I squirmed in my chair, wishing I could tell him what we’d discovered in Noel’s cabin but then he’d know that we broke in. Cody and I had talked about it and decided that the detective would discover it all on his own soon enough so there was really no point in incriminating ourselves.

  Instead I said, “Whoever killed Noel was the same person who killed Holly.”

  Bumble dropped his eyes in disappointment and nodded slowly. “Looks like it,” he agreed. He leaned back in his chair and his eyelids closed again.

  “When was Noel killed?” I asked quietly, not really expecting an answer.

  “Probably last night some time,” Bumble said dully. He sighed. I sat up in my chair, amazed by his openness. Did this mean he didn’t suspect me anymore? Or just that he was too tired to care?

  “How are the alibis for last night?” I asked conversationally, pushing my luck.

  He sat up in his chair and glowered at me. “The only one who has anything even resembling an alibi is Justin Tremblé, who spent the evening at an A.A. meeting. You know how many people go to those things?”

  I shook my head in case the question wasn’t rhetorical.

  “Over a hundred people at this one,” he told me. “And you can bet none of them would say anything even if they had seen him. Anonymity!” He spit the last word out.

  I waited for more questions, but Bumble just sat motionless, eyes still closed. Was he asleep? I looked at Officer Morin for guidance. But Morin just shrugged his shoulders.

  “I really am sorry that I couldn’t be of more help,” I said softly. “I know how frustrating this must be for you.”

  “Aw, forget it,” Bumble replied. He waved his hand at me without opening his eyes. “Out with you.”

  He didn’t have to tell me twice. I got to my feet quickly, nearly toppling my chair in my eagerness. As I reached to right it, Bumble spoke:

  “Keep yourself available for questioning, Miss Trubble,” he said. His tone was stern despite our candid conversation.

  “Huh?” I mumbled, turning back to him. I wasn’t sure if he meant now or later.

  He pressed on his temples. “Don’t leave the resort,” he translated.

  “Of course. I’d love to spend my Christmas here amongst murder and mayhem,” I said and skedaddled.

  I trotted over to the dining hall. Cody was sitting quietly where I had left him, his heavy brows furrowed. I needed some air. “I’ll be out on the porch, waiting for you.”

  Cody lifted his eyes to me and winked as I slipped into my winter woolies and coat and headed back out into the snow. I resisted the urge to hug him. I was sure Bumble would appear like the abominable snowman if I did. So I waved goodbye and left.

  A huge gust hit me as I closed the door and I shut my eyes against the pelting flakes. I blinked for a moment, blinded, and then the resort came back into focus.

  Standing on the porch, my stomach and head felt better, away from the dining hall and away from the people in it. Or was my body reacting to just one of those people? To the murderer? I had forgotten the physical beauty of the resort blanketed in white. I breathed in the cold, crisp air gratefully and deeply. Freedom felt good, even in a snowstorm, even if it was only an illusion.

  But my eyes betrayed me. They moved involuntarily from the soothing beauty in front of me to the activity in the parking lot on the side of the building. I walked across the porch, irresistibly drawn to look at the spot where Noel’s body had been. Or might still be. But I couldn’t see the space over the cars. I could
tell the location would be invisible from the parking lot as well. There were wooden police barriers in front of the gap between the cars, and yellow tape encircling the whole area now. I breathed a sigh of relief, wondering why I had even wanted to look.

  People in and out of uniform buzzed around the yellow tape. Busy bees taking notes, taking measurements, taking pictures.

  A blue Audi rolled into the far end of the lot and stopped. A woman got out and walked in my direction. She nodded to me when she got close enough.

  “Well, hello,” she greeted me as she came up the stairs. “I’m Eleanor Frost,” she said, hand extended to be shaken. She was tall, probably in her early forties but a heavy smoker judging by the rasp of her voice and the premature crow’s feet around her green eyes. Then I remembered. Holly’s Aunt Eleanor.

  “Penelope Trubble,” I said as I removed my glove and shook Eleanor’s hand. Her fingernails were coffin-shaped and matte red. I felt a weird jolt of déjà vu. Holly always wore her nails the same way.

  “Penelope.” She smiled, revealing poison-berry lipstick flecks on her teeth. “Pleased to meet you,” Eleanor said, just as Cody returned. Apparently Detective Bumble didn’t have much to question him on… yet. “Brrr… it’s cold out here. I recognize your name,” she added, rubbing her bare hands against her coat sleeves.

  I introduced Eleanor to Cody. Then the three of us stood on the porch awkwardly, not making conversation.

  “You have reservations?” asked Cody finally.

  Eleanor nodded. “Caroler’s Cabin,” she said.

  I was about to explain that there had been another murder when I heard clattering footsteps from behind. I turned to see Marie-Angelique scurrying in our direction.

  “Oh, Penelope,” she said breathlessly. “I’m glad I caught you and your…” She darted a quick glance at Cody. He still made her nervous.

  “My friend,” I finished for her. I contemplated saying the word boyfriend, but it still felt weird; besides, we hadn’t had that particular conversation yet—not that I was eager to… or was I?

  “I wanted to let you know that we’re cancelling the planned lunch meal for today, given all the… the fuss,” she twittered on. “However we’re going to put out soup, sandwiches and snacks that people can just help themselves too. I called some of the guests. But I couldn’t get Mateo. Or Denise, Gloria or Eve. And Amélie’s line was busy. Will you tell them—” She stopped midstream and stared at Eleanor. Had she only now noticed her? Not unless she was blind. Or completely rattled.

  “Eleanor Frost, your new guest,” I said, playing the good little social director. And now that Marie-Angelique had mentioned the buffet, I realized I was hungry again.

  “Oh, dear,” Marie-Angelique said, staring at Eleanor. She twisted her hands together. “I’m not sure if your room is ready. Some of our staff got snowed in at home and couldn’t make it back for their shift.”

  Yeah, right, I thought. Probably it was more like they wanted to avoid the maniacal killer on the loose.

  “I’m so sorry,” she went on, “But if you’d like to eat first—”

  “That sounds perfect,” interrupted Eleanor. “I’m famished.”

  Amélie appeared from the path through the trees. “Eleanor Frost?” she said, squinting smiling eyes at her. “Is that you?”

  Eleanor fastened her eyes on Amélie and beamed. “Dr. Amélie Belle! It has been years. Are you vacationing here?”

  Amélie nodded eagerly. “And you? Did you come to collect your niece’s body?” she asked.

  “Yes, I just arrived,” Eleanor said. Her features clouded momentarily. Remembering Holly? Remembering why she was here? But she went on. “Is your husband with you?” she asked.

  “No, oh, goodness no,” Amélie replied. Pink colored her cheeks. “He passed away five years ago.”

  “Ah,” Eleanor said. “I must offer my sympathy.” But she didn’t look sad. She looked pleased. “Emma too is gone. It’s been a little over one year. She left of her own freewill though—not quite the same as your husband.”

  Amélie’s black button-eyes sparkled like wet marbles as she gazed at her. Was she smitten? Eleanor offered her an arm.

  “May I buy you lunch?” she asked.

  Amélie placed her hand on Eleanor’s arm with a high-pitched giggle. If I hadn’t heard it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it possible. She was smitten! They walked into the lobby together. Marie-Angelique trailed after them.

  I turned to Cody.

  “How was the interrogation?” We both asked simultaneously.

  “Jinx. You owe me a beer,” I added quickly and laughed.

  “What?”

  “You owe me a beer. You know, ‘cause we said the same thing at the same time.”

  “Okay…” he said, giving me a weird look.

  “Oh, is that just a Bohemian Lake thing?”

  “I guess so.” He smirked, “although I’m happy to oblige. I could also use one right about now and I wouldn’t mind seeing what happens when you get tipsy.” He scooped me up for a hug, lifting me off the ground. I held on, legs dangling once again. I could just see over his shoulder. Unfortunately, what I could see over his shoulder was Lucas shuffling up the path to the dining hall. Lucas looked up at us as he came to the stairs. He winced. Damn.

  “Put me down,” I whispered to Cody.

  Cody sighed deeply and set me back on my feet. I turned to face Lucas.

  “Lunch is almost ready,” I told him, forcing a cheerful note into my voice.

  Lucas stretched a tired smile across his face in response. He climbed the stairs like a beaten man.

  “Lucas,” I said softly. “You’re off the hook. Whoever murdered Noel murdered Holly. Bumble has got to realize it wasn’t you.”

  “Does he?” asked Lucas, his voice brittle with exhaustion. “What if I murdered Noel because he saw me kill Holly?”

  “No,” I said, ignoring the way my pulse was racing. “It doesn’t wash.”

  “It’s the current theory,” he responded. Then he sighed and passed us by.

  Halfway down the snowy pathway to the treetops, we saw Mateo. He sat on a picnic table with his cane in his lap, face blank as he watched our approach.

  “Mateo,” I said with false heartiness. “Marie-Angelique says to tell you we’re having a low-key lunch today. They’re putting out soup and sandwiches.”

  “Thanks,” he replied brusquely.

  Cody nudged me, none too gently.

  “This is Cody,” I said. “Cody Lumos. And,” I finished with a smile in Mateo’s direction, “this is Mateo Fierro.” One suspect introduction down.

  “Call me Mateo,” He clarified.

  Cody put out his hand. Mateo shook it without enthusiasm. Then he stood and thumped his cane into place. “Guess I’ll get a head start back to the dining hall. You’ll probably still beat me.”

  I smiled and took his place on the redwood bench, thinking once again about the victims. They were both white. They were both under fifty and over twenty. They both had significant others. If that was enough for the murderer, a good portion of the population was in trouble. I was still searching for further commonalities when Cody sat down next to me. “Pen,” he said, his voice serious. “I can see the hamster wheel turning. What are you thinking about?”

  “I don’t know—our earlier conversation, I guess. The one about what Holly and Noel might have had in common.”

  “Well, aside from the obvious where Holly possibly found out about Noel’s paternity test and was killed for it,” he paused. “They both had conflicted lovers. You said Lucas wasn’t happy with Holly, right?”

  “Yes, but Justin doesn’t seem upset with Marie-Angelique.”

  “Unless she’s lying to us and they’re putting up a united front. What if she and Noel were still occasionally messing around and Justin caught them?”

  Before I could reply, I heard the sound of footsteps. I swiveled my head and saw Felix approaching.

  Cody put h
is hand on Felix’s shoulder. The kid jerked his head up, startled.

  “You okay?” asked Cody.

  Felix nodded.

  “Need to talk?” Cody prodded.

  Felix squirmed a little, then shot a nervous glance in my direction. Cody saw the glance and mouthed “see you later,” to me. I got the message. Time for a man-to-boy talk.

  “I need something in my room,” I fabricated quickly. “A…a book.”

  Sure enough, Felix looked relieved at my proposed absence. I scurried away, glad that Cody was questioning the kid. Maybe he could get further than I had. It took me all of three steps up the snowy path to begin to worry. Could Felix be dangerous to Cody? I turned and looked behind me as I walked. Felix and Cody were sitting on the redwood bench side by side. Cody was a trained professional—he could definitely handle it. I swiveled my head back. And came face to face with Eve and her posse bearing down on me.

  “Psst,” hissed Gloria theatrically, beaming at me through her thick glasses. Denise stood behind Gloria.

  “Hi—” I began.

  “Shhh,” warned Gloria, bringing a thin finger to her lips. She pointed with studied nonchalance over her shoulder, to a tree. Then she strolled over to it. Denise rolled her eyes, but followed behind Gloria.

  I scanned the area for a moment, looking to see if anyone was nearby on the path. The only people in sight were Felix and Cody on the bench. Just as nonchalantly as Gloria before me, I sauntered over to the tree.

  “Another murder!” chirped Eve once I had seated myself in the space left for me amongst the three women. No greeting. No small talk.

  “Can you believe our luck?” Gloria nodded.

  Wow. Gloria and Eve had a lot in common.

  “Good lord, Gloria, put a filter on it,” growled Denise.

  Gloria ignored her friend. “Have you learned anything new?” she asked eagerly, her wispy white head trembling with excitement.

  I sat for a moment, considering. What had I learned?

  “I saw the second body,” I said finally.

  “Oh, my,” Gloria breathed, squeezing her hands together in apparent delight.

  Denise patted my shoulder sympathetically. “Was it a mess like the other one?” she asked. Her intense stare belied her casual tone.