The phone rang, and then rang again. Polly pulled her phone away from her ear and listened. A phone was ringing in one of the rooms which was weird because most everyone had already checked out. Polly hung up and the phone stopped ringing. She dialed again, and sure enough, the ringing started up. Just one more time to be sure. She hung up, waited, then dialed again.
He was here? But why wouldn't he answer the phone? He had no idea that he was in trouble. Who would know his phone number except someone he'd given it to?
She knocked on the door of the room and called out, "Housekeeping!" There was no Do Not Disturb sign hanging on the door. She called again. "Housekeeping! We're here to clean your room. Hello?"
Barb Evering, one of the women who regularly cleaned rooms at Sycamore Inn came out of a room down the way.
"Polly? What's going on?"
"I'm about to commit a huge faux pas," Polly said, "but I need to get into this room."
"Why?"
"You really don't want me to tell you."
Barb's shoulders drooped as she held out her master key card. "What do you mean by that?"
"I'm afraid you know." Polly tried to give her a reassuring smile, but Barb was already shaking her head.
"It's a good thing I don't believe in ghosts," Barb said.
Polly swiped Barb's card, then, with the edge of her jacket, pushed the levered handle down and opened the door. "Mr. Wheeler?"
"Is he in there?" Barb asked.
Austin Wheeler lay draped over the end of the bed, his head touching the floor. His phone was on the floor beside the desk, as if it had fallen out of his hand and bounced. Polly stepped in, tip toed to the bed, carefully avoiding clothes that had been pulled out of his bags and tossed.
"Mr. Wheeler?" she asked more quietly. He didn't respond and she reached down to touch his skin.
"Is he dead?" Barb asked, causing Polly's heart to skip a beat. "Sorry. Bad timing."
Uncontrollable laughter bubbled up. "No kidding," she got out. Polly had to take a deep breath to bring herself back to the moment. Reaching down again, she felt his skin. It was cold enough that she knew he was gone. "He's dead."
"I can't believe you found another one here. How bad is it that I'm not even freaked out? I've seen some weird stuff in this place and now I'm used to you finding dead bodies."
"We might not pay you enough," Polly said, still trying to hold back her laughter. This wasn't a funny situation, but her body reacted the only way it knew.
"At least I'm not the one finding him. And at least this one didn’t leave a bloody mess. Can you tell how he died?"
They really didn't pay this woman enough if she was thankful not to have a bloody mess.
Polly shook her head. "I can't tell." She stood and looked at his neck. "I wonder if he wasn't strangled. That wouldn't be easy to do. Oh well, the sheriff's people will tell us. Deputy Hudson isn't going to find this funny at all."
"I'll try not to startle her when she discovers a body," Barb said, laughing with Polly.
Picking her way carefully back across the room, Polly was glad to be back outside. "I have to call her, you know."
"Better you than me."
"You don't happen to have any rubber gloves in that cart?"
"You mean those latex things? Sure. We use them all the time." Barb wandered back to the cart and returned with a pair. "What do you need them for now?"
"I know," Polly said. "Cart. Horse. I just want to shut this door." She folded a glove in half and used it to tug the door closed without letting the latch catch. "Here's your card. If this closes all the way, they might need you to let them in."
"This is old hat now," Barb said with a smile. "You know, even if my job is only cleaning rooms around here, you're the best entertainment I'll ever know."
"I like that you look at it that way." Polly wondered who best to call. Tab would be all business. At least Aaron would get a little entertainment from her predicament. She shook her head. Who looked forward to finding entertainment in these situations? Except, maybe some mystery novelist out there.
She dialed Aaron's number.
"I told Lydia last night when she got home that I'd actually spent a few moments with you yesterday morning and the subject of death hadn't come up. I'd like to believe she wasn't disappointed, but at least now I can assure her that things are right on track."
Polly smiled. "I knew you'd give me a reason to be entertained today. Would you please send Deputy Hudson to Sycamore Inn?"
"Now you're ordering deputies off the menu? I don't even get the illusion of being in charge?"
"Funny man. I'm fairly certain I just discovered Austin Wheeler, the subject of her search."
"At your hotel? What is he doing in Bellingwood now? That is ridiculous. What an idiot."
"He's a dead idiot," Polly said.
"Sorry. My bad."
"I guess so. That's harsh, even for you."
"I've sent out the call to my deputy and she should show up soon. Anything else I can do for you this morning?"
Polly smiled. "I think that's it. You know, I could have just called Tab, but you'd have missed out on this conversation with me."
'Never feel like you can't call me, Polly," Aaron said, his tone serious. "I need you to trust that I will always take care of you."
"I do trust you, Aaron, and you can tell your wife that we need to have coffee soon. I miss her face."
"We love you, too."
Polly shook her head. Barb was still standing beside her. "Things are going to get weird here in a bit. How many of these rooms are still occupied?"
"There are two in the back. All we had left on this side was this room. Everyone else is out."
"Good. Thank you for being here."
"Thank you for not making me walk into that room. I don't need the added strain on my poor old heart."
Polly didn't want to state clearly that if there was a dead body to be found in one of the rooms, Barb wouldn't be the person who found it. She was safe. "I'm going back into the lobby to tell June what's going on."
"Sky is out back working on a downspout. I'll send him your way," Barb said. "I should let Cindy know what's going on, too, so she doesn't worry."
Polly nodded. The news about this would spread across Bellingwood within minutes. Cindy was Barb's daughter and though both were wonderful people, no one here at the hotel could keep a secret. They were pretty good about staying quiet regarding the guests, but this was a big story.
The young couple passed Polly on their way out the main doors and she smiled at them, thankful they were leaving before things got too chaotic. She stood in the door and watched them drive out from under the canopy and onto the highway. Minutes to spare.
"How are you this fine morning?" June asked as she crossed the room to the coffee pots. "We have a few of Sylvie's cinnamon rolls left. Would you like one with your coffee?"
"June," Polly said. "There's a dead body …"
June dropped the cinnamon roll back into the basket. "A dead body? Here? Have you called the police?" She shook her head. "You know what you're doing. Who is it?"
"Room three."
"Oh my. We're about to have an influx of emergency responders, aren't we? I'd best put on another pot of coffee."
This was what Polly loved about the people she knew. June's first thought was to make sure the people on their property had coffee. She’d be out there serving them if that was necessary.
"Polly!"
She turned at the sound of Skylar Morris's voice. He had been her favorite barista at Sweet Beans, and was now the manager of the hotel, living with his girlfriend, Stephanie Armstrong, and her sister, Kayla.
"Hey, Sky. How are you?"
"Better question is, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Just another day, you know."
He gave her a strained laugh. "You're weird."
"I can't help it."
"Barb said it was in room three? I checked that young man in late last night. What's
it all about?"
"I don't know yet."
June was watching the two of them — back and forth.
"She said you went in the room. Pretty confident he was dead?"
Polly nodded. "You know my feelings about those things. I'd called his cell phone and it was ringing in that room."
"You called his cell phone? Why would you have his number?" Skylar frowned at her, then caught her glance at June. "Who knows anything these days. June, do we have enough coffee cups up here?"
"We just restocked yesterday."
"If you want any of those cinnamon rolls, you'd better hide them," he said with a grin.
She smiled back at him. "I'd rather they go where they're needed."
Sirens screamed down the street and Skylar strode across and took Polly's arm, then led her outside. "What do you know about this? Does it have anything to do with that girl who was dumped outside your place?"
"Yeah. Where did this guy park his car, by the way?"
They'd walked outside and watched the emergency vehicles drive into the parking lot. Skylar looked around. "I don't see it. Wonder where he put it?"
"I know the police are looking for it. If it was parked out front, they'd have been here earlier."
"Maybe saved his life?" Skylar asked.
"Maybe. He wasn't a dummy. He'd have parked it out of sight."
"Plenty of parking on the back side of the hotel. He didn't care where we put him, though. He could have asked for a room back there. Lots of people do, thinking it will be quieter."
"Blast it," she said. "I still need to reserve two rooms for the weekend."
He blinked. "Friends?"
"Yeah. The Renaldis. Don't let me forget. I've been trying to do this since yesterday, but every time it enters my head, something else comes up."
He took out his phone and dialed.
"What are you doing?"
"Calling June," he said with a chuckle. "I don't want to go back inside until they make me. What about you?"
"One room for Ray and a room with a king size bed for Jon and his girlfriend."
"June, hey, it's Sky. Polly needs two rooms for Friday and Saturday nights." He looked at her for confirmation and she nodded. "Do we have fourteen and fifteen open? No? Okay, what about six and seven? Yeah. Put Jon Renaldi in six and Ray Renaldi in seven. Thanks."
He slapped the phone back in his hand. "See how easy that was. Less than a minute."
"I'm a dope." Then Polly waved as Tab drove into the lot. She whispered to Sky. "I'm going to be in trouble, you know."
"Why?"
"I got his phone number and called it when I should have given it to Tab so she could deal with it."
"When did you get the number?"
"This morning when I arrived, but I shouldn't have taken it upon myself. She'll be mad at me."
"She can't be too mad. This is what you do."
"Let's hope she's in a good mood."
When Tab got out of her vehicle, everyone converged on the hotel. She walked over to Polly. "Which room?"
"Room three," Polly said. "The door should be unlatched, but if it pulled shut …"
Skylar stepped forward and handed a key card to Tab. "This is a master. It will get you in anywhere."
"Thanks." Tab gave him an approving smile. "That makes this easy." She held it out to Alan Dressen who had come over to stand beside her. "Room three. Ask Polly what she touched."
"Nothing," Polly protested. "I touched nothing. Well, except for the skin on his arm. I didn't even press down looking for a pulse. He’s cool to the touch. I walked across the room, but I didn't step on anything. It's a mess in there."
"The door handle?"
"I swiped it open with Barb's key card, then touched the tip of the handle with my jacket. That's all. I promise."
Alan grinned at her and then at Tab. "She's trainable."
"She's a pain," Tab said. "Let's go inside while they work the room. Tell me how you found him."
"You want coffee," Polly said.
"Let's say I do. Is there a reason a girl can't get some coffee at her friend's hotel?"
"We have cinnamon rolls."
"That will just get me into trouble with the rest of the crew. But I might be convinced to eat one."
Polly held the door as Tab walked through and into the lobby. She pointed at a small table in front of a window. "Are you mad at me?"
"I don't know. Did you do something wrong?"
"Maybe."
Tab chuckled. "Look, you were going to find the body. You can't help it if you step a little out of line. It had to happen. So, tell me."
Polly walked back and forth from the coffee and cinnamon rolls to the table, delivering food and drink as she told Tab what she'd done that morning. Tab, in her usual fashion, took notes as fast as she could, only stopping Polly to get the phone number that had been texted to her from Jessie.
"Are you going to tell Lexi that he's dead?"
"I have to," Polly said. "I don't know if it will make her feel better or worse. He was our only link to the people who set this whole thing up."
"Unless their numbers are in his phone."
Polly looked toward the room, as if she could see through the walls. "If one of them killed him, why would they leave the phone that links them together."
"We won't know anything until we get back to the office. I'll put Anita on that phone right away. Is Jessie working today?"
"She's leaving with Marie during the lunch hour. I'm heading over when I finish here to pick up clothes she's giving to Lexi."
Tab flipped through her little notebook. "Did Lexi say anything more about contacting her parents?"
"I haven't pushed it with her."
"She's an adult. No reason to contact them, I guess. How was she when you left last night?"
"Better. Sal showed up."
"Sal? Your Sal?"
Polly grinned. "Our Sal. Yes. She's buying a nightgown and robe for Lexi. And then Rebecca came up and before I knew it, the two girls were talking about Iowa City and then they talked about everything else under the sun. Nothing that happened to Lexi after May, but they talked about professors and classes and Iowa City and high school girl stuff. I could almost see the girl she was before this happened."
"You know it's going to take a long time for her to come to terms with what happened."
"That's why I want Grey to spend time with her. Whether it happens while she's still in the hospital or after she comes home with me …"
"That's going to happen?"
"I hope so. We still haven't discussed it."
"I don't know about this, Polly."
"Yes, you do. What else am I supposed to do? She has no one. No one, Tab. How is this poor girl supposed to get back on her feet when she has absolutely nobody in her life to support her."
"But she's an adult."
"So what?"
"She's a messed-up adult."
"Again. So what?"
"How long are you going to support her?"
"As long as it takes." Polly leaned forward and rubbed Tab's forearm. "It's really okay. It won't be forever. We have the space. The kids love meeting new people. Rebecca has already established a relationship. When it's time for her to move forward without me, we'll all know it."
Tab nodded and stood up. "Thanks for the coffee. I need to check on things."
"Have I upset you?" Polly stood and caught her arm.
"I know I shouldn't be upset. You are good at what you do, and you read people well. Aaron trusts you. Heck, his wife trusts you implicitly. It's just hard to watch you set yourself up for disappointment."
"Why do you think I'll be disappointed?"
"What if she takes advantage of you and then leaves?"
"She can't take advantage of me if I'm giving her what she needs. Tab, someone has to stand up and do the right thing here. I refuse to fear being hurt because I'm generous and loving."
"I'm never going to understand why you do this."
"You're a better person than me."
"I think not. You go on and work. Let me know if you need anything more."
Tab walked outside and Polly watched, then turned away and went back to the computer behind the desk. June watched her.
"You don't make sense to a lot of us," June said.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"I heard your conversation. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but there aren't any secrets in this room. There aren't many people in this world who have enough confidence in themselves to be able to do the things you do," June said. "You are special and those of us who know you well want to protect you from the ugliness we perceive in the world. The thing is, sometimes we don't realize that you are just the person to turn that ugliness into something beautiful. So, you make no sense to us."
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Polly finished her work and headed outside. The emergency vehicles were still in the parking lot. A young man came out of the hotel room where she'd found Austin Wheeler.
"Are you Polly Giller?"
She nodded.
"Deputy Hudson wanted to talk to you before you left. Just a minute." He turned back to the room. "Hudson? Ms. Giller is outside."
Tab came out of the room and walked down the sidewalk to Polly.
"Anything interesting in there?" Polly asked.
"You mean, other than the dead body," Tab replied.
"Maybe. Tell me you found something on that phone other than my phone number."
"And Jessie Locke's. That's it. The phone is a burner. The only number he called was Miss Locke. Evidently, he was smarter than the average kidnapper. Or else he didn't want his employers to know that he was talking to someone other than them."
"I wonder why he was in Bellingwood."
Tab stared at her. "To see Miss Locke?"
"If he was smart enough to buy a burner phone, why did he come back to the same town where he dumped Lexi? Have you found the car?"
"It's gone."
"Fingerprints in the room?"
An Offering of Hope Page 14