Were we bunking with murderers?
Sheriff Morgan flipped through his notes then turned to me. “I think I remember from our conversation last night that you, Holly, stayed out on the slopes until around one or one-thirty, grabbed a sandwich from the lounge in the chateau, and then came back to the condo. You saw or heard no one until around three-thirty. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“And you, Ophelia, stayed out and skied the mountain until around three-thirty?”
“Yes,” Ophelia said. “Then I came straight here to the condo and woke Holly up from a nap.”
“I’m going to tell you that when I questioned both Margot and Chloe about whether or not they saw you on the slope skiing, Ophelia, that they said they never saw you once.”
Ophelia rolled her eyes. “Of course they didn’t see me. I’m not exactly someone they’re going to look for. Those two superficial females aren’t going to pay attention to a nobody like me. They’re more worried about their image. They flat out told us that the first night we were all here.”
Sheriff Morgan’s brows shot up at Ophelia’s hot words.
Ophelia shrugged. “What? We all know it’s true. I will tell you this, I happened to see Chloe once without Margot anywhere around. I don’t know what time it was, but Margot wasn’t with Chloe, and Chloe looked angry.”
“Okay.” Sheriff Morgan jotted down those notes.
I had to wonder how in the world he was going to keep everything straight. His notebook had to be a complete wreck.
Sheriff Morgan looked up from his notebook and scrutinized us once again. “Let’s talk a little about science,” Sheriff Morgan said.
“Science?” I asked.
Sheriff Morgan nodded. “For instance, what do you think would happen if you put vegetable oil on wood?”
I chuckled. “Well that’s easy. If you were walking, you’d probably slip and fall.”
I felt Ophelia watching me. I looked at her and shrugged.
She sighed audibly.
“What if the oil was on top of the chimney where Andrew was leaning over? What then?”
“Oh.” Feeling stupid for not picking up on his line of questioning, I said nothing.
“Ladies, I asked what might happen if Andrew was leaning precariously over something that was greased with oil.”
“He’d almost guarantee a fall,” Ophelia said through gritted teeth.
Sheriff Morgan pursed his lips and nodded sagely. “Hmm. I suppose you’re right.”
I suddenly hated Sheriff Morgan and his stupid way of questioning…like he didn’t already know the answers.
“And the fact,” the sheriff continued, “the killer knew they had to use a lot of duct tape to secure not only the ice axes to the side of the chimney, but that the duct tape would have to be enough to hold when the body hit the blades, that takes a little bit of knowledge, wouldn’t you two agree?”
“Where are you going with this?” Ophelia demanded.
Sheriff Morgan shrugged. “I’m not really going anywhere. It just seems to me since the ice axes were able to stay in place before, during, and after the fall, the person that did the killing would probably know a lot about physics, gravity, and motion.”
Chapter 9
I gasped. “Are you thinking because we teach first grade we know how to kill someone? Like what, we took a course in college called Killer Physics 101? Or that our curriculum for first grade somehow incorporates using physics and gravity to kill someone?”
Ophelia burst out laughing.
“It’s not funny,” I said. “He thinks because we teach science to first graders we know how to kill someone!”
Ophelia held up her hand. “I’m not laughing at you, Holly. I’m just laughing at your reaction. I’m assuming Sheriff Morgan asked that question to gauge our reactions…and yours was priceless.”
I bit my lip. “Like maybe I went a little over the top?”
Ophelia chuckled. “Like maybe you just took a huge leap over the edge of the cliff and screamed all the way down.”
Sheriff Morgan’s lips twitched. “Holly, you mentioned the night of the talent show that you saw Margot and Clive Wilkinson fighting. Did you hear what they were discussing?”
I thought back to the two of them fighting. I could picture it, just not with sound. “No. I’m afraid all I could tell you for sure was body language. And really it was only Clive’s body language that changed between angry, pleading sadness, and angry again. Margot was indifferent for the most part.”
I squirmed when the sheriff continued to stare at me…saying nothing.
“And just so I’m clear, before you came to the Winterdale Chateau and Ski Resort, you two had never met any of the other girls staying in this condo?”
“No,” we both said emphatically.
“Friday night was the first night we’d ever met any of them,” I added.
“When you arrived at the talent show, the fireplace was already out on the platform, is that right?” Sheriff Morgan asked.
“Yes,” Ophelia and I answered.
“So you don’t know who brought out the fireplace?”
“I figured Andrew did,” I said.
Ophelia nodded her head. “Same here.”
“Did all six of you girls know the chimney would be used as a prop?” the sheriff asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Andrew had it out during rehearsal, and he showed us how he’d slide down the chimney halfway and kick his legs out because he thought it would be funny. He said he had good core muscles and could hold himself upside down in the chimney and make it look funny.”
Sheriff Morgan looked over his notes once again. “All right. I think that’s all the questions I have right now.” He closed his notebook. “I know the chateau has nightly activities. If you attend them, please go in pairs, and use common sense. No one goes anywhere alone.”
A shiver of apprehension ran down my spine.
“Don’t worry, Sheriff Morgan,” Ophelia said as she turned to me. “We won’t.”
I nodded my head in promise.
We saw the sheriff to the door then went back to the great room. Everyone else was still downstairs in their bedrooms, so the house was eerily silent. Ophelia and I walked over to the large picture window and watched as skiers made their way down the bunny slope, losing sight of the ones that chose not to turn around and go back down the mountain again…instead, they elected to whiz past the condo toward the chateau.
“It’s still early,” Ophelia said softly. “Do you want to go skiing? I’m not sure anything in town will be open. Not only is it Sunday, but it’s Christmas.”
“Sure. Bunny slope, right?”
Ophelia laughed. “Right.”
We ambled downstairs to change into more appropriate attire. Our footsteps must have alerted the others, because the bedroom doors opened and everyone filed out and waited for us.
“Is the sheriff gone?” Chloe asked.
“Yes,” I said. “He said if we go anywhere, we are to go in pairs. No one goes somewhere alone.”
Helen’s hand flew to her mouth, her eyes as big as saucers.
“What did you all tell the sheriff when he asked for your alibis during yesterday afternoon?” Margot demanded.
“The truth,” Ophelia retorted. “How about you?”
Margot sniffed. “Of course we told the truth. We told him that Chloe and I were on the mountain skiing the whole time yesterday afternoon. There’s no way we could have tampered with the chimney.”
I frowned at Margot’s obvious lie. I could feel Ophelia’s gaze on me, so I turned to her. She gave me a slight shake of her head. I could tell she didn’t want me to contradict what Margot had just said.
“And I told the sheriff that after I dropped Helen off,” Bitsie said, “I went back into town. Luckily I did buy something, so I showed him a receipt that had the timestamp on it.”
“What time was it?” I asked.
“Around three-fifty.”
>
That’s nearly a two-hour gap from the time you dropped Helen off until you bought something.
Helen cleared her throat before speaking. “And I told the sheriff that I came inside the condo after Bitsie dropped me off.”
And yet I never heard you. Of course, I was drifting in and out, but still.
“What about you two?” Margot demanded. “Where were you?”
“I was skiing the mountain,” Ophelia said. “Don’t you remember seeing me?”
Margot paled and her eyes darted to Chloe’s. “Of course we remember seeing you. We were on the mountain pretty much the whole time.”
Liar, liar! You told Sheriff Morgan you never saw Ophelia.
“And what about you?” Chloe said looking at me.
“Me? After my ski lesson with Andrew, I skied the bunny slope awhile. Then I went into the chateau and grabbed a sandwich before heading to the condo. I think I got to the condo around one-thirty.”
“Oh,” Helen said. “So you probably heard me come in a few minutes later?”
Was that fear or hope I heard in her voice. I couldn’t tell.
“So really,” Margot sniffed, “any one of you had ample time to put the ice axes in the chimney.”
“Yes,” I said, glaring at her, “I suppose you did have plenty of time, Margot.”
Margot and Chloe let out identical gasps. Had the situation not been so serious, it would have been funny.
“How dare you accuse me of this!” Margot shouted indignantly.
Helen held up her hand. “Let’s not fight. I think we’re jumping to conclusions. Never once did Sheriff Morgan say to me that we were all suspects.”
Well, he more than hinted that very thing to me.
“Holly and I are going skiing right now,” Ophelia said. “Were you all planning on going to tonight’s event?”
Bitsie and Helen looked at each other and then nodded their heads.
“Well?” Ophelia asked Margot. “Are you and Chloe going?”
“Yes,” Margot all but spat.
Helen twisted her hands in front of her. “We should probably do what Sheriff Morgan said and all stay together.”
“Fine,” Margot relented. “How about we meet upstairs around six?”
We all parted ways and Ophelia and I went into our bedroom. I gathered up my notebook and flipped to the suspects and motive chart. “There are some outright lies, and some huge holes in everyone’s story.”
Ophelia nodded. “I know.”
“For starters, Margot and Chloe were not on the mountain the whole time skiing.”
“I know. We need to find out where they were. Even Chloe lost track of Margot at some point in the afternoon.”
I pursed my lips and saw nothing but huge holes in everyone’s timeline. Finding a way to fill in the gaps was going to take quite a while. “Also, Bitsie told us she skis, yet she told the sheriff she didn’t.”
“That’s true,” Ophelia said.
“So she should probably know what an ice axe is.”
“True again. But she’d never met Andrew before. It makes more sense for his murderer to be someone he knew.”
“You mean either Margot or Chloe?”
Ophelia nodded. “Yes. Or Clive.”
I smacked myself in the forehead. “Of course! I’m the one that keeps mentioning him. I need to put him on the list and see what’s going on between him and Margot.”
“We’ll feel out Clive tonight at the party,” Ophelia said. “Just remember, we need to be very careful from here on out. Now, put that notebook away and let’s hit the slopes.”
***
“Let’s cut through the back path tonight,” Helen said as the six of us walked out of the condo’s front door. “I love looking at all the decorations and lights.”
“Me, too,” I said.
We crossed in front of the condo then made an immediate left at the end of the house. The three-foot American Holly hedges lining our condo and the condo next door were covered in freshly-fallen snow and Christmas lights. The air was crisp and cool.
At the back of the condo we paused and kicked off the snow that covered our boots. To the left was the bunny slope, now dark and quiet. A life-sized, white Santa sleigh with two reindeer covered in Christmas lights sat next to the first of many old-fashioned light poles that lined both sides of the wide pathway that would lead to the chateau. We took a right and stepped onto the snow-packed path. Christmas music was softly playing through the outdoor speakers. Ophelia wound her arm through mine and hummed along with the music.
Even though the last forty-eight hours had been harrowing, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else than right there in that moment with my best friend. This would definitely be a Christmas for the record books.
“You know that elf guy I gave my digits to?” Ophelia asked.
“Yes,” I laughed, already knowing where this was heading.
“He texted me today. We’re gonna try and sneak in some alone time tonight.”
I shook my head and smiled. “Be careful.”
Ophelia laid her head on my shoulder. “Always. Merry Christmas, Holly.”
The thousands of lights that encircled the enormous chateau were shining bright as we made our way up the steps and into the estate. I wasn’t sure if the flutter in my stomach was excitement for tonight’s activities, or anticipation of finding and interrogating Clive.
“Oh, look,” Ophelia said as she dragged me to a nearby table, separating us from the other girls. “We can make our own adult hot chocolate.”
A large, silver dispenser and white mugs sat on the left side of the enormous table. The rest of the surface was covered with different liqueurs, marshmallows covered in chocolate and sprinkles, and containers holding candy canes, chocolate chips, and cans of whipped cream.
“I’m going to put peppermint liqueur and crushed candy canes in mine,” Ophelia said as she started filling her mug and working her way down.
I eyed the table then made up my mind. “I’m going to put butterscotch liqueur and whipped cream in mine.”
“Yummy.” Ophelia snagged a chocolate-dipped marshmallow and shoved it in her mouth.
We got our drinks and mingled with the crowd of people packed into the chateau’s front rooms. There was a Karaoke machine set up in a corner where over a dozen people were huddled, listening to the latest crooner. In another corner, Christmas Bingo was jam-packed with participants anxious to yell out they were winners.
Ophelia gently nudged me. “Look, it’s Clive.”
Clive Wilkinson was standing behind the check-in counter, slowly surveying the room, smiling at guests. His red sweater hung nicely on his thin frame, and was a striking contrast to his blonde hair and blue eyes.
“Do we dare go now and talk with him?” I asked.
Ophelia didn’t say anything, just grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her. Clive’s eyes widened slightly when he saw us bearing down on him. He suddenly looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Clive,” Ophelia said enthusiastically as she set her mug down on the counter, “good to see you. Everything looks lovely.”
He gave her a tight smile. “Thank you. The chateau does a great job of providing all guests with myriad choices for activities.”
Spoken like a true manager.
“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked.
“We were looking for Margot,” Ophelia said. “Have you seen her?”
Clive’s nostrils flared. “No. Why would I know where she is? I’m sure she’s with Chloe.”
“I’m sorry,” Ophelia said feigning innocence. “I thought you guys were a couple.”
“Margot and me? Why would you think that?”
Ophelia leaned in conspiratorially. “Well, Holly here said she saw you and Margot…well, having a rather heated, intimate discussion last night before we went on to perform in the talent show. I just took it to mean you guys were together, and you might know where she was tonight.”
>
Clive’s lips thinned. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, that wasn’t you last night?” I asked.
Clive looked quickly around the room before he spoke. “Yes, it was me last night. No, we aren’t officially dating.”
Ophelia crinkled her nose then made a clucking sound with her tongue. “Lovers spat last night?”
“Is there a purpose for your questions?” Clive asked through clenched teeth.
Ophelia emphatically shook her head, her dark hair moving slightly. “No. Like I said, we were just looking for Margot.”
“We’re good friends and that is all. Margot has been best friends with my sister for years. Any relationship we have is strictly platonic.”
Oh, please!
“Whew! That’s good to know,” Ophelia said as she picked up her mug and turned to leave. “Because I’d hate to think you and Margot were fighting last night over how she’s been throwing herself all over Andrew. And then minutes later Andrew would have the unfortunate luck to be murdered.”
Ophelia had her back to Clive, so she didn’t see the anger and rage that flashed in his eyes at her words.
But I did.
Chapter 10
“Psst, Holly.”
In the dark recesses of my mind, I could feel someone trying to pull me from my sleep. I had a momentary sense of déjà vu. I rolled over, hoping to escape my current mortal enemy.
“Holly,” Ophelia said exasperatingly. “Get up. It’s almost nine o’clock.”
I groaned and told myself I couldn’t kill my best friend…especially a day after Christmas. “But I didn’t get to bed until late, remember? After the social last night, you wanted to stay for the late-night dancing. So that put me in bed around midnight. I hate going to bed around midnight.”
“Geez, you’re always so whiny in the morning. Get up!”
I didn’t tell her the three Jack Frost cocktails I had while she danced into the wee hours of the night were probably not a good idea. I’d keep that little secret to myself.
I pulled the covers up higher on my body. “What’s on our agenda for today that we need to be up so early?”
“I thought we might do a little after-Christmas shopping in town.”
Killer Christmas Cozies Page 6