Her brain was reeling. He went on to tell her about some of the forensics. There had been no fingerprints on the railroad spike that had been plunged into the victim’s heart. This implied someone cleaned up after the crime because Lacey’s fingerprints should have been present on the display piece. This wound was expected to be the cause of death. Time of death would be very close to the time the body was found. There were no signs of forced entry. The victim had most likely been let in by someone inside the house.
He asked again if she was sure, she had never seen the victim before. Had she been seen him hanging around either the Inn or Elkville? Had he attended her grand opening? She didn’t remember seeing him but the evening had been so busy and there had been many people present. She was trying to remember every face, everyone she talked to and that was impossible.
His cell phone rang. He spoke briefly with the caller, his face looking grim at whatever the caller was saying.
He hung up, looked at her and said, “Well, the preliminary identification of the body seems to be Adam Mason.”
She groaned and put her head in her hands.
He lightly stroked her back and soothed, “We’ll get to the bottom of this. I will make sure you are safe. I promise.”
She looked into his eyes and nodded. For some reason she had no doubt that he would keep that promise.
Chapter 8
Lacey discovered that there was nothing like a murder to encourage your neighbors to drop by. Dan Smith, her general contractor and handyman had been hanging around since ten this morning wanting to “help” her. Dan was pleasant and good looking in that messy curly blond hair, one gold earring kind of way. However, Lacey had absolutely no interest in being anything more than partners in keeping the premises in top repair.
Over the course of the morning and early afternoon, she had several visitors.
Her first visitor, Lucinda Wright, lived around the corner from the Inn. She owned and operated Lucy’s Llama Ranch. She reminded Lacey of the stereotypical description of a hippy. She had long salt and pepper hair in a tight braid down her back and wore a peasant blouse with a long paisley broomstick skirt. In an effort to comfort Lacey during this trying time, she had brought a couple of skeins of Alpaca yarn combed from an animal named “Big Beau”. Drily Lacey thought, oh good, maybe when my Inn fails I will have time to learn to knit. She thanked Lucy and assured her there was really nothing she needed.
Next came a handsome cowboy, Cody Westerfield. Tall, rangy and complete with a Stetson held in his hands as he greeted her on the front deck. Brown longish hair and deeply tanned, his brilliant green eyes conveyed his sympathy over the terrible events of last night. She sat down on one of the benches as he explained that his spread was about a mile down the road. He raised free-range bison and a small herd of cattle. He looked to be about mid-thirties and the admiring glances he gave her made her think he was unattached. She thanked him for coming and stood watching as his lanky form climbed into a newish bright red pickup truck.
Charlotte came out and joined her on the deck. “Mmmm, mmmm, mmm, that was a tall drink of water,” she said. Then she went back inside to answer the ringing phone.
Her last visitor arrived about one in the afternoon. A sweet young woman, named Mandy Grainger stood breathlessly at her front door. She was weighed down with a large cloth shopping bag on each arm. Declining to come in she pointed to the SUV in the driveway and said she had her twins in the car and needed to pick up her other child at school.
She dropped off the bags and said, “My phone number is in there, call if you need anything. I’m so sorry.”
She was gone almost as quickly as she had come. Lacey carried the heavy bags into the reception area.
Charlotte came out of the kitchen and took one and they both headed into back into the kitchen to see what they contained. They both exclaimed over the treasures they unpacked. A huge chicken and pasta casserole, fluffy, soft homemade yeast rolls and what appeared to be a still warm berry cobbler.
This reminded Lacey that she had not planned anything to feed everyone. Well, thank goodness for nice people like Mandy who had made sure that she and her guests would not starve.
Speaking of her guests, she had not seen anyone since sending them upstairs to rest several hours ago. She started to head upstairs to check on them when a knock at the front doors diverted her.
As she opened the door to both Wyatt and his deputy, she noticed they looked grim and business like. Wyatt bluntly stated that they needed to see Heather Mason.
As she led them both upstairs, she didn’t bother with making small talk. She knocked at Heather’s door, softly at first and then more boldly as there was no answer. Wyatt stepped forward, turned the unlocked doorknob, and proceeded to enter the room. They checked the room and the adjoining bathroom to no avail. Heather was gone. The three of them looked at each other with puzzled faces. Where could she have gone?
Chapter 9
The other guests had noticed the commotion. Both the sleepy looking newlyweds and the irritated college girls opened their doors.
After being told that Heather Mason seemed to be missing, Joan whined, “If we were allowed to leave why didn’t you tell us?”
Wyatt informed them that after the day’s investigation they could leave the Inn if they didn’t stray too far, and everyone looked relieved.
The newlyweds did not seem nearly as bothered by the enforced restrictions.
As she and the officers headed back downstairs Wyatt told her that Heather Mason was a person of interest and they had come to take her to the sheriff’s station for questioning. He wanted to search the grounds.
Lacey shared with Charlotte and Dan what had happened and they fanned out and began searching the property in case Heather had merely taken a walk to get some fresh air.
Dan in particular seemed pleased to be given an assignment. He had waited all day to be useful.
They checked all of the outbuildings. They shouted Heather’s name as they searched. After several minutes it was clear she was not on the Inn grounds.
They all gathered in the spacious kitchen to discuss their next steps. Suddenly, Lacey realized where she might be. She told them all about Heather’s plan to hike up to Pike’s Peak.
Wyatt listened carefully and then patted Lacey on the back and said, “Good girl, that’s really helpful. How do you think she got there?”
“Well, everyone’s welcome packet contained several pamphlets for various sightseeing and shuttle services.” she offered.
Wyatt and the deputy both got on their phones checking with the companies she wrote down. After two phone calls, they had a confirmation that a middle-aged woman had been picked up down the road from the Inn by Pikes Peak Tours. The driver had delivered his passenger to Manitou Springs near the base of Barr Trail.
This was the most common hiking trail used to reach Pike’s Peak. Lacey wondered how Heather had gotten out of the Inn without being noticed but then again they had all taken a turn being interviewed in the library and then she had been busy with all the comings and goings the day had brought. According to the driver, Heather had left over three hours ago. That was a huge head start.
She heard Wyatt arranging back up personnel to help search the trail and grabbed her jacket from the hall closet.
He disconnected his cell phone and looked at her shaking his head, “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked.
When she answered that, she wanted to help with the search he put his arm around her shoulders and told her that she would be more help staying here at the Inn.
She supposed he was right. Heather could come back or even call to let them know where she was. Charlotte nodded her head in agreement and Lacey resigned herself to stay where she was.
Wyatt and his deputy left quickly by the front door and the Inn seemed deserted and quiet.
She and Charlotte busied themselves with putting together a simple dinner with the food that Mandy Grainger had brought.
While it was not yet sunset, it had been a long time since the uneaten breakfast had been served.
Lacey went upstairs to let the other four know that there would be some food set up in the dining room.
Miranda and John Braverman were the first to appear downstairs. They looked concerned but not overwrought. Lacey thought to herself that being so much in love must shield you from some of life’s awfulness.
Shortly thereafter, Suzy and Joan joined them. Lacey sat down at the largest table and asked them all to join her and Charlotte. As she passed around filled plates of the steaming casserole and rolls, she thought this would be a good chance to get to know her guests and serve as an actual innkeeper.
Chapter 10
Everyone seemed to have more of an appetite than this morning. For a few minutes, no one spoke as everyone tried the food on his or her plates. This is good, Lacey thought to herself. She promised herself that she would have to personally thank Mandy for this thoughtful gesture. In addition, the chicken tetrazzini type casserole was a recipe she definitely wanted.
Suzy was the first to break the silence, “Do you think we can go explore tomorrow? We only have two more days before we have to get back to Boulder.”
Lacey answered that she didn’t see why not.
This prompted a discussion around the table about the various sights to be seen. After all, this was Colorado; you had to work hard for it not to be scenic.
The Braverman’s decided to stroll around old Colorado City and then stop in one of the unique restaurants for a romantic dinner.
Suzy and Joan wanted to do some hiking, after much discussion, they decided on Barr Trail and Pikes Peak.
Lacey assured them all that she would arrange for the shuttle and tour services they would need. She had arranged a barter agreement with the more popular sights and services. She would do her best to send them business if they would do the same for her and the Inn. As a former vice president of a bank, she had learned the power of networking.
She decided to use one of her favors to surprise the Braverman’s with a romantic dinner for two at the Mona Lisa fondue restaurant in Manitou Springs for their last night. She felt badly that they had not had a wonderful honeymoon so far. The fancy and super popular restaurant would be just the place to start their married lives together. The Mona Lisa had hosted more marriage proposals than any other restaurant in the area. A true testament to the romantic surroundings they created.
After verifying start times, since the Braverman’s wanted to sleep in, she went to her office to make arrangements. As she sat at her desk, she wondered what was happening in the search for Heather. Should she call the Sherriff’s office and ask? They would probably not be able to tell her anything. How she wished she had asked for Wyatt’s cell phone number. Would he have given it to her? She sighed as she thought of those clear blue eyes and the gentleness he had shown her during this ordeal. His wife was a lucky woman.
She finished the arrangements for tomorrow and started to leave the office. As she was turning off the light, the desk phone rang.
It was Wyatt. His voice sounded grim.
“What happened?” she asked breathlessly.
“I know it’s late,” he said, “but I really want to talk to you about it in person. Will you wait up until I can get there? It will be another hour or so.”
“Of course,” she answered without hesitation.
She quickly admonished herself not to feel so much excitement to meet with a married man about a missing person. What was wrong with her?
She resisted the urge to run upstairs and pretty up her hair and makeup.
Charlotte tried hard to hide her smile as Lacey told her that Wyatt would be here soon. The kitchen was cleaned up and she thought it would be best if she went on home so that Lacey and Wyatt could talk freely.
The sisters hugged at the doorway and said goodnight. It had been a long and trying day. Both sisters did not want to have this kind of excitement ever again.
After Charlotte left, Lacey settled into the library with a book she wasn’t really reading, waiting for Wyatt.
Chapter 11
The next thing she knew, Wyatt was shaking her shoulder and calling her name softly in the empty room. She had fallen asleep with the book abandoned on the floor. How long had he been there, she wondered.
She sat up straight and asked, “Did you find her?”
He shook his head and filled her in on the search. They had called in a volunteer mountain search team. Since they believed her destination was the top of Pike’s Peak they had started there. She had not been seen at the summit or on the Cog Railway. This meant that she must have hiked in from one of the side trails.
The shuttle driver had said she did not want to drive up to the peak so he had dropped her off at a trailhead. There were many routes both well marked and mapped out on the internet. They would have to search each possibility and that could take another twenty-four hours.
Lacey studied his tired face and suddenly felt the urge to take care of him, “Let me get you a warm meal and maybe a glass of wine,” she offered.
He smiled wearily and said, “Food sounds great but I’ll have to turn down the wine. I’d like a rain check on sharing wine with you though.”
Lacey felt a fission of pleasure at the intimate undercurrent in his voice. As she headed to the kitchen to reheat some of the casserole and rolls from dinner, she shook head. Again, she reminded herself that he was married. Somehow, she was going to have to bring up his wife. Just thinking about that made her feel disappointment but she was not going to even entertain the thought of anything more than a friendship with him.
She carried a tray into the library and set it down on the table in front of him. He looked down at the heaping portion of casserole and thanked her for going to so much trouble.
“Nonsense,” she said, “it was no trouble at all. I didn’t even make the food, my neighbor did.”
He looked up from his plate and said with a twinkle in his eyes, “I really like honesty in a woman.”
She felt herself blush. Surely, he was paying entirely too much attention to another woman. She bustled around refilling his water glass and trying to avoid the amused looks he was sending her way.
After he finished the meal and repeated how much he appreciated it, she carried everything into the kitchen to clean up.
It was late, and Lacey was very aware that they were probably the only people awake in the Inn. She turned suddenly from the sink and found him close, too close. They were practically touching. His face was very close to hers, he looked directly into her eyes. He reached up his hand as if to touch her lips but instead tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She stepped back as if burned and blurted, “I won’t get involved with a married man!”
He looked puzzled for a moment and then followed her glance to his wedding band. “Ah...” he said, “I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
“Know what?” she barely breathed.
“My wife died five years ago. I guess I never had a reason to take my ring off, until now. Because right now I want to kiss you Lacey, may I?” he said so softly she wasn’t sure she had heard him correctly.
She stepped closer intending to ask him to repeat what he had said. He took her movement as permission, closed the distance between them, and took her into his arms. He looked right into her eyes as he moved his lips closer and closer to hers. As their lips met, he registered the surprise in her eyes and his lips were smiling as they brushed hers. Gently at first and then with a groan he deepened the kiss.
She found herself kissing him back just as wantonly. It had been so long since she had kissed or even wanted to kiss anyone. He was a very good kisser; she closed her eyes and leaned into him. They both were surprised at the passion that so quickly ignited between them.
He pulled just an inch away and gasped, “Wow!” before he took her lips again.
It was probably the third ring of his cell pho
ne that finally penetrated the shroud of bliss that consumed them. She felt cold as he withdrew with obvious regret and answered his phone. His hand played with a strand of her hair as he listened intently to whatever was being said.
He hung up, with a deep sigh pulled her completely against him, and held her there.
“I have to go,” he whispered close to her ear, “but we will talk. And we will continue this…” he gestured to her lips, “Okay?”
Pushing him gently away she murmured, “I promise.”
He gave her a quick hug and reached for his jacket. She walked him to the door. He kissed her again gently on the lips and then a quick peck on her forehead. Then he was gone, out into the night.
She realized that he turned on the cruiser’s siren as he turned out on the road. That brought her back to this world. What had happened? Why hadn’t she asked? She knew why, for the first time in years she was falling in love. Moreover, she had just been more thoroughly kissed than she could ever remember. She couldn’t think straight. Oh, boy, this was going to be interesting.
She headed upstairs with no doubt that, it would be hours before her besotted brain could settle down for something as ordinary as sleeping.
Chapter 12
Even though she had not fallen asleep until the pale fingers of dawn were appearing outside her window, she rose at eight in the morning. First thought? Wyatt was not married and he kissed her.
Next thought, had they found Heather? Then she chided herself for the order her thoughts had come.
Some Innkeeper she was, she should have been up over two hours ago to get a decent breakfast together for her guests.
She dressed quickly in worn jeans and turquoise shirt. She paused in front of the full-length mirror on the back of her bedroom door. She was surprised that she didn’t look any different. She felt her entire world has shifted in the last thirty-six hours.
Death Checks Inn (Aspen Valley Inn 1) Page 3