* * *
“You’re back early,” Ophelia said as she flung herself down on her bed. “Was Andrew not your instructor?”
I opened one eye and scowled at her. “I was sleeping. Couldn’t you tell?”
Ophelia grinned. “Yeah, but it’s like three-thirty. You need to get up. Besides, I want to know how your afternoon went with Andrew.”
I groaned and sat up. “He’s handsome, has a fabulous body, flirty…”
“But?”
“But then he opens his mouth. He’s kinda smarmy.”
Ophelia grunted. “Did you ski together? Did he ask you out?”
“Um…did you not hear me say he’s smarmy? I didn’t want him skiing with me or asking me out. I did my hour lesson with him, then just practiced going on the bunny slope alone for a while.”
“I swear, Holly, you’re no fun at all! It’s not like you have to marry this guy! The purpose of coming here was to forget about your ex.”
I laughed. “That was your purpose for me coming. My purpose was to visit a beautiful place for Christmas so I could show my students I actually got out of the house.”
“Since you don’t want him, I may take a go at him tonight after the talent show.”
“Be my guest. Just watch out for Margot and Chloe. They don’t seem like they want to share.”
Ophelia rolled her eyes. “Are they here, do you know? I saw them a couple times skiing down the mountain. I have to say, they’re actually pretty good. Like semi-pro good.”
I shook my head. “I don’t think they’re here. I don’t think Helen and Bitsie are back yet, either. I haven’t heard footsteps.”
“Actually,” Ophelia said as she got up from the bed, pulled out dry clothes, and started dressing, “Helen is here. I saw her upstairs sitting in front of the fireplace. When I asked if she and Bitsie had a good time in town, she said she only went for a little while because she had a headache. She had Bitsie drop her off here at the condo around one-thirty. I think Bitsie is still out shopping.”
“Helen must be a ninja,” I laughed, “because I haven’t heard any footsteps all afternoon.”
“She actually looked pretty upset. I thought maybe she’d been crying, but I wasn’t sure.”
I frowned and looked up at the ceiling. “I still think something weird is going on.”
“I need to shower and get ready for tonight,” Ophelia said. “I’ll jump in the shower first so I’m not holding everyone up.”
“Sounds good.” I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.
***
“Smart thinking to have Helen and Bitsie take the outfits with them after rehearsal,” Ophelia said as she adjusted her Santa hat in front of the mirror.
“I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.”
Ophelia smiled. “I think the sobbing has finally subsided.”
Andrew had dropped by half an hour ago with bad news. He couldn’t find anyone to take in the Mrs. Claus outfits. He suggested the girls safety pin what they could and not worry about it. That had gone over like a lead balloon.
“Are you seriously going to wear that hideous jewelry over your outfit?” Ophelia asked.
I looked down at the strand of blinking Christmas lights and laughed. “Yep. Both the necklace and the earrings.”
We finished zipping up our boots and headed upstairs. We were all supposed to walk over to the talent show together. Helen and Bitsie were pouring champagne in glasses when we strolled over to the kitchen.
“Nice sparkle,” Bitsie laughed as she handed me a drink.
I shot Ophelia a look. “See, others appreciate my Christmas jewelry.”
Ophelia rolled her eyes and took a glass from Helen. “She’s being kind.”
I took a drink of my champagne and let the ribbing go. I was in too good a mood to let anyone bring me down.
A few minutes later Margot and Chloe trudged up the stairs.
“Do you want some champagne?” Bitsie asked.
Margot scowled. “No.”
“I’d like some,” Chloe said. “Maybe it will help take my mind off how hideous these outfits are.”
Margot sighed. “Fine. I’ll take a glass.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell Chloe she would need more than one glass of champagne if she wanted to forget how dreadful the dress was.
“A toast,” Ophelia said as she lifted her glass in the air. “May tonight be unforgettable and our act a show stopper!”
We ended up pouring another glass to calm our nerves, so by the time I started walking to where the talent show was being held, I was a little more than tipsy.
“It’s out behind the chateau in front of the mountain, right?” Bitsie asked.
“Yes,” Chloe said as she covered her exposed ears with her hands. “They always hold the talent show outside, even if it’s snowing.”
“Are you okay?” I asked.
Chloe smiled. “Nights like this I wish I had longer hair. This Santa hat isn’t providing any warmth.”
“There it is.” Ophelia pointed to a makeshift wooden platform on the snow with numerous halogen lights pointed to the stage.
“And there’s Andrew,” I said. “Looks like he and a couple other guys have already carried out the chimney.”
The wooden chimney was sitting in the middle of the stage. Someone had taped paper stockings to the front of it.
“That’s quite hideous,” Helen said softly.
We all laughed and agreed.
“Over here,” Andrew called when he saw us.
Ophelia reached down and grabbed my hand. “This should be a fun night.”
I squeezed her hand in agreement.
“It looks like we’re the fourth act tonight,” Andrew said around his Santa beard. He’d also donned a Santa jacket over his black jeans, and somehow managed to make the outfit look sexy.
“How many acts are there?” Helen asked.
“Six,” Andrew informed her. “So hopefully we’ll give a performance worth remembering. First place winners each receive a complimentary bottle of champagne and a sixty-minute massage from the chateau’s spa.”
My mouth dropped. “All of us?”
Andrew nodded. “Yep. Doesn’t matter if it’s one person that wins or a team. It’s the same prize for each person.”
My mind went into overdrive at the thought of a sixty-minute massage. Now more than ever I wanted to win this competition.
“Places people!” a handsome blonde man with electric blue eyes called out. “Make sure you line up in order.”
“Is that your brother Clive?” I asked Chloe.
Chloe looked to where I was pointing. “Yep. He’s been the manager here for almost four years now. He’s the one that finally talked Andrew into coming back to Winterdale after he left the pro circuit, and being a ski instructor for the resort.”
We spent a few minutes rearranging ourselves in line order with the other contestants, then settled down and waited with bated breath for our number to be called.
The first three contestants were good—especially the soprano who sang Silent Night. But I hadn’t seen anything yet that might beat us out. I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and saw Clive and Margot in a pretty heated discussion. Before I could ponder anymore about it, my attention was drawn back to the stage.
The audience clapped for the third contestant as he left the stage. With one more glare at Margot, Clive walked to the microphone and announced our act. As we sashayed onto the platform, Andrew quickly slid the ladder behind the chimney.
The music started and we gave the performance of a lifetime. During the turns and sultry moves, Andrew slowly ascending the ladder, working the crowd. By the time he reached the top of the ladder, the crowd was going wild. In time with the other girls, I snapped my chin to my shoulder and looked coyly at Andrew. We all crooked our finger at him and mouthed for Santa to hurry down the chimney.
With a wolfish grin, Andrew leaned over the chimney to slide partway
down. I heard a small scream come from Andrew, but it was quickly cut off over the crowd’s raucous behavior. At first, I thought Andrew was just playing up to the crowd. I didn’t realize anything was wrong until someone in the audience started to scream and point, yelling we needed to get him up.
The music faded and I watched in horror as Clive stepped onto the platform and started yelling instructions at people around him. The man who was to go on after us scrambled up the ladder and grabbed hold of Andrew’s feet. At the same time, another person in the audience pointed in my direction and started screaming about blood.
I looked down at my costume but didn’t see any blood.
“Omigod!” Margot cried. “There’s blood under the chimney!”
I looked down at the bottom of the chimney and could see drops of blood hitting the platform. I started to scream along with the others in the crowd. I stumbled backward, fell down on my butt, and looked up just as Andrew was being lifted out of the chimney.
It was then all hell broke loose.
I looked out into the crowd and saw people pointing, screaming, and running in all directions. I glanced over my right shoulder and saw a gentleman trying to steady Andrew’s body and get him down the ladder. Andrew was in obvious shock. He was swaying and screaming, trying unsuccessfully to lift his hands to his face.
Or what was left of his face.
I tilted to my left and vomited.
“You’re okay.” Ophelia tucked my head under her chin and rocked me gently. “Don’t look. You’re okay.”
Would I ever be okay?
In the distance, I could make out Clive’s voice screaming for towels and someone to call 911.
“Let’s move a little ways down the stage,” Ophelia suggested. “Move away from where you got sick.”
I scooted on my butt farther away from the horrific scene unfolding behind us. Ophelia sat back down next to me and gathered me close.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered. “What happened?”
I felt Ophelia shake her head. “I don’t know. But it looks bad.”
“How can sliding down a chimney do that kind of damage?” I sniffed. “It looks like his face is gone.”
Ophelia smoothed down my hair with her hand. “Shh, Holly. I don’t know anything more than you.”
“Will he die?” I whispered.
Ophelia said nothing for a few seconds. “I don’t know. But he’s losing a lot of blood.”
Tears stung my eyes. While I didn’t particularly care for Andrew as a person, I didn’t want him to die.
“Are you guys okay?” Bitsie asked as she and Helen sat gingerly down behind me.
“No,” I moaned. “I’ll probably never be okay.”
“They’ve called the police,” Bitsie informed us.
Helen started to cry. With my head still tucked under Ophelia, I reached out and found Helen’s hand and gave it a squeeze. She cried harder.
“Where’s Margot and Chloe?” Ophelia asked.
Bitsie gave a sardonic laugh. “When Chloe saw Andrew’s body after it was lifted out of the chimney, she fainted and went down pretty hard. Not to be outdone, Margot tried with all her might to faint. It would have been funny if the circumstances were different.”
“They’re with some people they know that work at the chateau,” Helen added.
I heard sirens in the distance and forced myself to stay calm. I’d seen enough police shows to know there’d be a long night of questions ahead. There was no doubt this would be one Christmas Eve I’d never forget.
CHAPTER 6
* * *
“We’re going to separate you,” the young deputy said to the four of us as we huddled together on the platform, “so Sheriff Morgan can speak to each one of you.”
By the time the ambulance had arrived and gotten Andrew stabilized enough to get him in the ambulance and transported to the nearest hospital, a half an hour had gone by. The whole time, Ophelia, Bitsie, Helen, and I had sat quietly together, burrowed deep inside the blankets the EMTs had given us, not saying a word. We could hear the conversation between the EMTs and the police regarding Andrew, and it didn’t sound good.
“If you four wouldn’t mind,” the deputy continued, “I’d appreciate it if you could follow me into the chateau.”
We all stood and followed him silently into the chateau. Clive was wringing his hands and pacing back and forth in the foyer. When he saw us, he visibly shuddered and drew in a deep breath.
“Deputy Swanson,” Clive acknowledged. “I have six rooms blocked off like you requested.”
“Thank you. If you’ll—”
“I don’t understand why we have to be questioned,” Margot’s shrill voice echoed in the foyer as she and Chloe stomped into the chateau. “We had nothing to do with this.”
“Could you please give it a rest,” Chloe snapped. “I’ve had about all I can take of you right now.”
My mouth dropped open.
“How dare you speak to me that way!” Margot shrieked even louder. “I’m your best friend!”
Chloe let out a very unlady-like snort and wrapped her arms around herself. “You’re walking a thin line right now.”
I don’t know for sure, but I think Margot’s mouth was hanging about as wide open as mine. Evidently, she wasn’t used to Chloe having claws.
Deputy Swanson narrowed his eyes at Margot. “Ma’am, you are being questioned because you not only witnessed the incident, but we’ve been told you’ve been in close contact with the victim recently.”
Victim? Did that mean Andrew was dead?
“It’ll be okay,” Ophelia said as she wrapped her arms around me. “Just answer the questions, and we’ll go back to our rooms and have a stiff drink or two.”
I tried to smile at her, but my teeth were chattering too much.
Deputy Swanson separated us at the end of the hall.
My room was the manager’s office. Clive had it crammed full of papers, filing cabinets, and Christmas paraphernalia. I sat down woodenly in one of the chairs.
“Sheriff Morgan should be with you shortly, ma’am.”
I nodded my head but remained silent.
Deputy Swanson shut the door and left me to my thoughts.
Unfortunately, they weren’t good thoughts.
The way everyone was acting, it was pretty clear Andrew’s death—if he was indeed dead—wasn’t accidental. I started wracking my brain trying to figure out who would kill Andrew and why. It wasn’t a pleasant thought, but I needed something to keep me occupied. Maybe a husband caught wind of Andrew coming on to his wife? Andrew struck me as the kind of guy who would do that. Maybe he owed someone money? But that didn’t make sense. Usually you don’t get killed if you owed money, you get broken bones.
Could it be someone in our immediate group?
That thought brought me up short. I started to panic at the thought that someone in the condo may have killed Andrew. I closed my eyes and did a breathing technique I’d taught my students when calm heads needed to prevail.
I wasn’t even sure if Andrew was dead, and if he was, maybe it was an accident. I didn’t need to start jumping to conclusions.
I was so caught up in arguing with myself that I didn’t hear the door open.
“You doing okay there, miss?”
My eyes flew open, and I leaned forward in my seat. “You scared me,” I laughed shakily.
“Didn’t mean to. I’m Sheriff Morgan.” He yanked off his hat and set it on the desk. He then walked slowly to the other side of the room, grabbed an empty chair, and carried it over to where I was sitting. “Mind if I sit here?”
I shook my head. “No. Go ahead.”
The sheriff lowered his tall, wide frame into the chair and stared at me. He was graying around the temples of his short, black hair. His face was pale and gaunt. I couldn’t tell if it was because of what had happened tonight, or if he always looked like that.
He took a small notebook out of his front shirt pocket an
d clicked his pen.
“Your name?”
“Holly. Holly Anderson.”
The sheriff smiled. “That’s a nice name, especially around Christmas. I bet you hear that a lot.”
I nodded but said nothing. There was something about this man that scared me. I expected any minute for him to arrest me and haul me off to jail.
Stay calm. Don’t let him see how nervous you are.
“What do you do for a living, Miss Anderson?”
“You can call me Holly. I’m a teacher. I teach first grade at a school in Kansas City.”
Sheriff Morgan smiled. “Sounds like a great job.”
“I enjoy it a lot.”
“How did you know the victim, Andrew Bishop?”
“Victim? He’s really dead?” I whispered.
Sheriff Morgan stared at me for a full five seconds before answering. “Yes. He died en route to the hospital.”
I slapped a palm over my mouth so I wouldn’t cry.
“Your hand is shaking,” Sheriff Morgan observed.
Now I was angry. “Of course it’s shaking. I’m upset!”
He nodded sagely. “I see. How did you say you knew the victim Andrew Bishop?”
I took a deep breath. “I didn’t really know him. I just met him last night.”
Wow, had it only been a day since I met him?
“I see. And how did you meet him?”
“He came up to the refreshment table last night here at the chateau and started making small talk to Ophelia, Bitsie, Helen and me.” I frowned and tried to think back. “And I guess Margot and Chloe were there, also.”
“These are the girls you are staying with this week at the condo?”
I nodded. I didn’t like how he made it sound like we were all together. Like we were all friends on holiday together.
“Yes, technically. But we don’t know them. I mean, Ophelia and I don’t know them. The chateau does this thing where you rent a room and meet other people.”
Sheriff Morgan nodded. “So the first time you’d ever spoken with Andrew Bishop was last night?”
“Yes. Pretty much the first time I ever spoke with anyone in our talent show tonight, outside of Ophelia, was last night.”
Cozy Christmas Murder Page 32