Nailed

by Avery Daniels

“Bet he misses northern California on this trip!” Tammy mused while buttering a roll.

  I had my mouth full of Caesar salad but nodded. What a time to visit Colorado.

  After the Rosewood CordeValle manager was finished with his talk, which I found equal parts inspiring as well as daunting, the man across the round table blurted out, “I’m getting tired of being stuck here. I go from activity to activity in the evening, but I’m getting cabin fever. How bad could it really be out there?” The man had picked at his salad. Yep, people were becoming restless. This wasn’t good.

  The highly polished lady next to him jumped on his comment, “I wouldn’t risk the roads, search and rescue were called out yesterday because somebody thought the I-70 road closure didn’t apply to for four-wheel-drive trucks with chains. Plus there was a landslide or something.” She leveled a serious look at him.

  “Four-wheel drive doesn’t mean four-wheel stop.” Three of us said in unison. It was the common saying in Colorado. Every winter there were people who thought they could go anywhere in any weather in a big-assed four-wheel drive truck and they usually slid all over the road and caused wrecks.

  I was just out of high school one nasty winter in my little vintage VW Bug and I passed a huge fire engine slid off the road. Dad taught me to drive in snow and ice with a basic rear wheel drive car. I sure wasn’t going to get out on those suicidal roads, even with a killer loose. But, this was an opportunity to redirect the conversation.

  “The murder investigation has had delays with the weather, too.” I tossed the comment out like I had yesterday and hoped somebody grabbed the ball and ran. It was a different group, so it might work again.

  The same restless man leapt on my comment like a wild cat on fallen prey. “If the local yahoos aren’t up to the task, they should defer to Denver. They can’t keep us against our will because that woman went and got herself killed. I have half a mind to call the Governor.”

  I pushed my salad plate away, annoyed at his barb toward Detective Larson who was run ragged. I wanted to keep my mouth shut – really I did, but it wasn’t on the menu today.

  “Yes, I’m sure the governor hasn’t been pulled into the disasters happening around large portions of the state from this storm system and is just sitting waiting for your complaint.” Ooooops, was that me? Guess I’m definitely getting a little short tempered as well. Everyone at the table glanced my way and I fully expected push back.

  Instead, I got a wink and several smiles. Tammy had a hand over her mouth hiding her big grin.

  The main entrées were placed in front of each person. I had the grilled salmon over pasta with a white wine and basil sauce that teased the nose with soft aromas promising a sublime experience. Tammy had the Beef Bourguignon with a cognac broth that wafted in a sultry breath over to tease me.

  “You would defend the local badges since your roommate is getting cozy with that one detective. Half the resort is talking about their dinner last night. Unseemly.” He was downright huffing. If he had seen Porsche when she was in full out seduction mode, no telling what he would have thought. Was he stuck in the nineteen-fifties or something? Porsche may dress to impress men and turn heads, but she didn’t believe in public displays of affection – or desire.

  “I wish people would talk about who the killer could be instead of two people having a lovely dinner.” Tammy just had to toss that into the fray. Go Tammy! I wanted to high-five her.

  Several people from tables in the vicinity gave us annoyed looks. Would our table end up like a British soccer match and have a brawl? I looked around the table again.

  The weather report lady was really on a roll. “Well, I think the ‘ex’ did it. I hear she made his life hell. I certainly saw her nasty side when she tore into that realtor fella.” She cut her beef, “I can’t imagine living with that temper directed at me and not snapping.” She took a dainty bite.

  Her comment seemed to be what was needed to loosen the other’s tongues.

  “That was over a year ago when they split, but the realtor could have snapped that night after her tirade. She really cheated him over on a deal, too. That could’ve hurt his reputation and business.”

  “Yeah, Preston looks good for it. But I think the poor guy who lost his house to a major road project she knew about could’ve snapped too. Did you see how she rubbed it in his face at dinner that night?”

  “Oh come on, what about that editor guy? They really go at each other on the newspaper message boards. Calling each other names and getting mean and ugly. She was always trying to show how he was a hypocrite. I can see how that would get out of control if they got into a fight in person.” Another man at the table supplied.

  “They spoke in the lobby and they weren’t arguing at all. Not like with the realtor.”

  I had to nudge the conversation in the alibi direction. “What about during the wee hours of the morning the Detective was asking about? Surely there was something suspicious? Can’t imagine a woman getting brutally murdered and nobody saw anybody up and walking about.”

  Sometimes it felt like I was taking them by the hand and leading them to the topic I needed without just asking directly. They didn’t seem to mind or even notice my course corrections.

  “Oh well, that’s the big question.” Tammy backed me up. She was enjoying being a sidekick.

  “I don’t think anybody would be up and around at that hour. This isn’t Vegas you know.” Weather report lady said. Which was a good point. Who would be up and about at that hour? Did the hotel staff work a midnight shift? Conversation on the murder died out and a few discussed the keynote talk.

  I took a moment to look around the room full of resort management professionals and felt a sense of pride that my career aspirations were coming true. I noticed one of the big solid wood entry doors opened and the kid from last night, Justin, stood there looking around. He had an eager look on his face. I had made the mistake of telling him I was here for the conference.

  I quickly slid down a little in my chair, doing my best to stay hidden. I positioned my hand to block my face. I kept peeking from behind my fingers at him. He began to stroll around, scanning the tables. Wasn’t he a determined fellow? Finally, after a couple of minutes he left. Could my life get any more complicated?

  Chapter Twelve

  I had barely seen Zack and Kylie since they were hustling to get attendees served lunch with only two other servers. Considering how overwhelmed they probably were today, I didn’t expect they had much new to report but I needed to find out if there were midnight staff on duty Thursday night through Friday early morning. They might have heard or seen somebody. Surely Johan would have asked already, but I wanted to check...because I’m thorough.

  The rest of lunchtime didn’t produce any information from my tablemates and I half listened to their banter. The dishes had been cleared and a small dessert was being distributed.

  “More coffee with your dessert ma’am?” I looked up to see Kylie.

  “Yes please.” She moved closer to pour and indicated with a tilt of her head toward the exit doors to hotel proper. I nodded I understood and watched as she topped off a few more cups around my table and the next until the carafe was empty. She walked to the back of the room and placed the empty coffee carafe on a table then exited through the doors.

  “I’m going to go freshen up before our afternoon sessions,” I said to the table in general and casually followed her. I caught up to Kylie in a side hallway leading to guest rooms.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d have anything to share, you’ve been so busy.”

  “I won’t deny that, we’ve been overwhelmed with this conference and less staff to cover than usual with the weather situation ‘cause folks can’t get here on the roads for their shifts. I have something, just don’t know if it’s any help.” She took a breath and I nodded to encourage her.

  “Well, I heard some people talking and they’re discussing how Kara was talking with some woman and they were having a whispered
argument. That’s how they put it, clearly upset and disagreeing with finger jabbing at each other, but in hushed voices. You know?” She was getting excited.

  “Was it Debra Graham?” I dared to think this might be a break.

  “That’s just it. It’s a Leona Dolman. She’s here by herself and hasn’t had any contact, as far as I can tell, with any of the other people you had me listening for. But if they argued, it may be important.” She looked at me with anxious eyes and I realized it was likely even outside the resort’s rules to even divulge the little she had, but she recognized it could be critical.

  “You’re right, this is completely new and may just help to reveal more. When was the argument?”

  “Earlier in the day before Kara’s brazen dinner performance you witnessed.”

  “Is there any way you can perhaps point this woman out to me?”

  We walked over to the grand staircase that led downstairs with a view of the lobby if you stood on the landing between floors. She scanned the hubbub of people checking the activity board, going to and from the three restaurants, going to the pool or spa, milling around in the lobby, or migrating to an activity.

  “I don’t see her anywhere. But she tends to eat dinner in Maximilian’s at 5:30 to 6:30 like clockwork. I could meet you outside tonight and point her out to you.” She seemed concerned this woman was important, and I couldn’t help but think she may be onto something.

  “Okay, I’ll be there.” Then I remembered what I needed to ask her, “By the way, was there a front desk person on the night shift the night of the murder? Because that person may have seen something.”

  “Yes, of course there was. I don’t know who that might have been, but I’ll try and find out.”

  “It would be good to know all those who worked overnight and somehow get them to share if they saw any guests about or anything unusual.”

  She nodded and trotted downstairs. I returned to the luncheon just as it was disbanding and everyone scrambling for the afternoon workshops. I grabbed my things from the table and fought the throngs to get to my desired workshop. I settled into my seat at the class on privacy issues as resort management.

  I sent a quick text to Porsche inquiring if she expected to see Johan today since I had some news. She replied he might make it by late afternoon or evening. The workshop was about to start so I quickly texted “Add Leona Dolman to our suspect list and find out what you can about her please.”

  I knew she had said she was going to attend a paint and wine event this afternoon, so that might offer some excellent gossip and valuable information. I was glad she was staying busy. This isn’t the vacation she had expected, and I felt a tad guilty about that. I had wanted to attend the paint and wine as well and was terribly tempted to skip some of my conference. Reason took over and I recommitted myself to sitting through the fire hose of information from each session.

  I was anxious to hear back from Porsche, so naturally time crept slower than molasses in winter. I was in my second workshop of the afternoon, a lively look at the luxury bistro hotel trend and its impact on larger hotels and resorts. I was on the precipice of either snoring or my head hitting the table when my phone gave a soft ding indicating I had a text.

  Porsche was short and to the point, “Leona was in the Paint and Sip event. Johan coming by for a quick dinner.” My breath caught when I read it and several people glanced my way. Oh please, the lady unwrapping her peppermint made more noise.

  Her message only made it harder to sit through my next session on exceeding guest expectations. Rather than risk the peril of snoring, or perhaps worse drooling, I added notes in the back of my notebook on the additional information from Kylie and conversations during lunch. I tried to see if any obvious evil mastermind emerged. No such luck.

  I even managed to take some notes on the session. When we were dismissed I waded through the stream of attendees again. I began to empathize with a spawning salmon’s furious fight upstream. I saw Tammy and elbowed my way over to her side.

  “I have a name to add to your list, Leona Dolman,” I whispered in her ear so nobody could overhear. The press of the crowd still jostled and propelled us forward.

  Tammy asked in return with a tinge of excitement, “A new development?” She was as interested in our information gathering endeavor as Porsche and I. I whispered the new tidbit about the argument in her ear and her eyes danced. Had I created a sleuthing addict?

  What did that say about me? I had to face the fact that I had begun picking up the gossip the moment I heard of the murder. I was just fortunate Detective Larson chose to consider my efforts as an informant’s role.

  If I were asked why, I could say I like to solve puzzles or some such. But in all honesty, I didn’t see it as unusual to want to understand what happened and why the situation ended in murder. I just couldn’t ignore there were probably people around who knew pieces or parts of the full picture simply needed the opportunity outside of an interrogation to share.

  I answered Tammy with the basics, “Leona had an argument with Kara, no idea what it was about. Just a good idea to keep an ear open for anything about her. I don’t even know who she is yet.” She nodded.

  “I’ll go to another activity tonight and see what I can pick up on the grapevine. Bingo was fruitful, maybe I’ll do that again. Besides, I won a hundred bucks last night.” She winked at me.

  I didn’t bother checking the activity board but headed for my room immediately. I had my night planned. I was meeting Kylie who would point Leona out, then dining at Maximilian’s for my surveillance duty. Since it is the most upscale of the on-sight restaurants I’d get an opportunity to wear the nice dress I packed. After that, I was finally going to swim and hang at the Jacuzzi like I’d been planning since we arrived.

  I checked on the raccoons, still huddled there. Each time I passed the flowers and got a nose full of their perfume, I felt a twinge of some emotion. It was either regret or sadness.

  I dutifully called for a reservation at five-thirty and they managed to squeeze me in, especially since I agreed to one of their smaller tables. I did request a good view of the dining room in hopes I’d be in a good position to watch the other diners. This was my big splurge since the meal would be the most expensive part of this conference.

  I spent some time actually applying a touch of makeup, put on the flowing jersey dress in a rich plum shade with black lace around the scoop neck and the black strap heels. I had to walk back and forth in the room to practice since I hardly, like never, wear high heels. I did stumble a few times.

  Porsche burst into the room and stopped when she spotted me. She let out a long whistle.

  “Ummm, whatcha doing?”

  “I’m having dinner at Maximilian’s tonight while you and your new boy toy have your time. Why?”

  “You look beautiful and a girl usually dresses up this nice for a guy. One she has, or she’s hoping to acquire.” She put a hand on her hip.

  “Don’t you give me that attitude. None of your lip young lady.” I shot back, but it didn’t seem to faze her. “I haven’t gotten to dress up and be taken out and wined and dined by Mason. Are you really going to ruin giving myself a treat?” I could give a guilt trip as good as anybody else.

  “Additionally...” that’s always a sign to surrender, “I don’t require a guy to dress up and feel good,” I said. So there, and take that.

  She raised her hands. “Okay, uncle already.” She rolled her eyes just like when we were in high school.

  “So, this Leona gal was in your painting class? What’s she like?” I looked at her then behind her, “Hey, where’s your painting?”

  “I left it for them to use as an example. I didn’t want to bring it home.” She remained standing as she talked.

  “Leona Dolman is either incredibly shy or very closed and cautious. I think it is the latter. After your text, I made a point of trying to chat with her. She barely said ten words to me. I don’t think it is a stuck-up thing, either.
She’s lovely, not beautiful, and not just pretty. Poised too.” She began changing out of her jeans and getting ready for her date.

  “Is Johan coming up or are you meeting him? I can tell you the details of the second, or I guess it’s third-hand news by now, that we’ve gathered on Leona.” I figured they would like to focus on the little time they got together considering the interruptions of his duties rather than my relaying information.

  “Don’t think I don’t see what you’re doing. But I’d like to have him to myself as much as possible. Thanks.” She was flipping through her dresses she had hung in the closet.

  So I shared what Kylie had told me and that it occurred early on the day we arrived, even before Kara’s loud display over dinner and the subsequent argument with realtor Preston in the lobby. I looked at my watch, I had a few short minutes before meeting Kylie.

  I handed my phone to barefoot Porsche to take my picture. “I had hoped to get a photo of us throwing snowballs or in front of the hotel, but this will have to do.”

  “Give me a seductive look and you can send it to Mason. Let him eat his heart out.” She had a wicked smile.

  “I don’t know if I should. I haven’t really heard much from him since the flowers. To be honest, at this point I’m not sure we’re going to be together much longer so why give a false impression.” Just saying it made my heart squeeze.

  If she felt a little sorry for me, I’d take it. I mean seriously. Once we talked on the phone there was little more from him, as if the flowers and a hurried text or two just smoothed everything over and he could let me dangle. He had to have a few minutes before he fell asleep to call at the least. I was done with the short text messages.

  “Suit yourself. But maybe he needs a reminder of what he left dangling here at home. A reminder you’re here around some wealthy men and looking mighty good while he’s in sunny California.” Her eyebrows danced.

  “Okay, take the picture. But no guarantees I’ll send it.” Which was easier said than done. Putting on a dab of makeup is one thing, walking in high heels took practice, but trying to look sexy or seductive wasn’t easy for me. Porsche coached me into poses and how to look at the camera, all of which she deleted.