The Inn at Holiday Bay: Message in the Mantel

by Kathi Daley

  “So who was the man whose estate you purchased the books from?” Dixie asked.

  “His name was Theo Emerson. He lived in a huge house, which I would probably refer to as a mansion, on a private lake northwest of here. I heard about the estate sale from a friend who owns an antique store in Bemidji. She was interested in furniture and dishware rather than books, so she called to let me know about the sale.”

  “Do you know anything about him other than where he lived?” Haley asked. “His age, occupation, personal history?”

  “No,” Harlow admitted. “But after finding the books signed by Alistair Winslow last night, I find that I am interested in learning what I can about the guy. I feel like I might have stumbled on to a real mystery. I can’t help but wonder if finding out more about Theo Emerson could lead to discovering the true identity of Alistair Winslow.”

  “You’d best not tell Hayden about your find,” Haley cautioned. “She’ll show up and take over your investigation before you know what hit you.”

  Hayden was the oldest of the five Hathaway sisters, and the most driven. She currently worked for a local television station operating out of Minneapolis but had plans to make it to the big time before she turned thirty-five. Unfortunately, she was presently thirty-four, and her inability to meet her goal was causing her to be almost manic about finding the one story that would turn out to be her big break. Harlow had no doubt that if Hayden knew she had a lead that might unmask the elusive Alistair Winslow, she’d be on the highway north before immediately. Harlow loved Hayden and wanted to see her succeed, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to unmask Winslow, even if she could put together the clues left behind in the messages left between friends.

  “While we are on the subject of Alistair Winslow, did any of you happen to notice the dedication page of his latest novel?” Haley asked.

  Harlow frowned. “I did see it, and it was odd for a dedication. In fact, it really wasn’t a dedication at all.”

  “What did it say?” Harper asked.

  “'An unfolding story becomes complete when, like a circle, beginning and end meet.’”

  Harper raised a brow. “Seems mysterious.”

  Harlow bit her lip. “Yeah, I thought so as well. I’m not sure if there is a hidden message there, but it sure does feel like it. I’d say it’s really very odd.”

  “Alistair’s entire career has been really odd,” Haley pointed out. “Some guy no one has ever heard of publishes a novel that is an instant best seller. His name becomes a household term and everyone wants to claim a piece of him, yet his identity has been so well guarded that not even his own publisher knows what he looks like.”

  “I heard he even turned down Oprah,” Haven added.

  “What could be so bad that he’d be forced to lie about who he really is?” Harper asked.

  “He hasn’t actually lied,” Harlow pointed out. “He just hasn’t said who he is. I’ve wondered many times what he might look like. Based on his strong but elegant writing style, I’ve always pictured him as a distinguished and sophisticated man. Someone who is both educated and well-traveled. Someone who is physically attractive in a cultured and refined sort of way.”

  “Sounds like someone has a crush on the mystery man,” Haley teased.

  “A crush, no,” Harlow defended herself. “But I am fascinated and intrigued by him. I suppose if the real Alistair Winslow is vastly different from the persona he’s created, that might be the reason for hiding his identity. It does seem to me that if he turned out to be a seventy-five-year-old grandmother, it might affect book sales.” Harlow looked at Dixie. “No offense.”

  Dixie laughed. “None taken. I’ve always imagined Alistair Winslow to look a bit like Sean Connery. Rugged. Handsome. Distinguished.”

  Haley wrinkled her nose. “I’ve always pictured him as being younger. He’s only been publishing for about ten years. He could totally be in his thirties. I agree that he is most likely hot. I’m thinking thick black hair, short and neat. And dark eyes, chiseled features, and maybe just a hint of an English accent. His name does make it seem as if he is British by birth. And I bet he is probably the sort to easily seduce women. His books are so emotionally raw. I bet he knows exactly how to worm his way into the heart of any woman he might desire.”

  “I bet he has long hair,” Haven countered. “And blond. Blue eyes and a sexy grin. I agree about the Casanova vibe. His writing does seem to possess the perfect blend of strength and vulnerability.”

  “Short hair with just a touch of gray around the temples,” Harper jumped in. “I figure he might be around fifty. Mature, but still adventurous and physically fit. And ditto on the art-of-seduction vibe.”

  Harlow found the conversation interesting. The fact that everyone at the table pictured him differently said a lot for Winslow’s decision to maintain his anonymity. She supposed the fact that he could literally be almost anyone had done a lot to add to his overall mystique.

  “If Winslow was childhood friends with this Theo Emerson, I suppose that in the very least that would provide his actual age,” Dixie pointed out. “It seems like a worthwhile investigation to pursue.”

  Harlow realized that Dixie was right. “I’ll talk to Coop about it this afternoon when he comes by. He is a private investigator. I’m sure he can dig up whatever we might want to know about Theo Emerson.”

  Haley took a last bite of her pancake. “As fascinating as I find this conversation, I need to get to work.”

  “Are you still working on that bathroom remodel?” Dixie asked.

  “I am. And the guy is so happy with my work on the bathroom that he has decided to have me do the kitchen as well.”

  “That’s great.” Haven grinned. “That should keep you busy for a couple of months.”

  “I’m hoping that it will work out timewise so I can finish the kitchen in time to jump right into the lake house I have lined up for the summer.” She stood up, then pushed her chair in behind her. “Which is why I need to run.”

  “Don’t forget that your mom wants us all to have supper on Sunday,” Dixie reminded her. “Two o’clock, so don’t be late.”

  “I’ll be there,” Haley promised. “Where is Mom this morning?”

  “She had an emergency,” Dixie answered. “A dog was hit by a car early this morning.”

  Harlow placed her hand on her chest. “Oh no. I hope the dog is going to be okay.”

  Dixie tossed her braid over her shoulder. “I hope so too, although your mom wasn’t sure when she left here this morning.”

  Haven, who often worked as an assistant in the veterinary clinic, stood up as well. “I hadn’t heard about the dog. I should head to the clinic to help out.” She looked at her grandmother. “Thanks for breakfast. I’ll be sure to plan to be home for dinner on Sunday.”

  Harper pushed her chair out after Haven left. “I want to give Bella a bath before I take her over to Michael’s.” She looked at Harlow. “I should be by around lunchtime. I’ll bring sandwiches.”

  “That would be great. I’ll take a veggie on wheat.”

  Harlow looked at Dixie after her sisters had cleared out. “I’ll help with the dishes.”

  “I can get these,” Dixie said. “Seems to me you have a mystery to start digging in to.”

  Harlow felt her heart begin to race as it always did when there was a good mystery to solve. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take a look into things and see what I can find. It’s not like I have to do anything with the information I find. But it would be fun to take a peek behind the curtain that Alistair Winslow seems to be hiding behind.”

  “Again, I wouldn’t mention this to Hayden,” Dixie cautioned. “She’d have it on the nightly news by the end of the day.”

  “Don’t worry. Alistair’s secret will be safe with me.”

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

  Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery:

  Halloween Hijinks

  The Trou
ble With Turkeys

  Christmas Crazy

  Cupid’s Curse

  Big Bunny Bump-off

  Beach Blanket Barbie

  Maui Madness

  Derby Divas

  Haunted Hamlet

  Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies

  Christmas Cozy

  Alaskan Alliance

  Matrimony Meltdown

  Soul Surrender

  Heavenly Honeymoon

  Hopscotch Homicide

  Ghostly Graveyard

  Santa Sleuth

  Shamrock Shenanigans

  Kitten Kaboodle

  Costume Catastrophe

  Candy Cane Caper

  Holiday Hangover

  Easter Escapade

  Camp Carter

  Trick or Treason

  Reindeer Roundup

  Hippity Hoppity Homicide

  Firework Fiasco

  Henderson House

  Holiday Hostage

  Lunacy Lake – May 2019

  Celtic Christmas – Coming 2019

  Zimmerman Academy The New Normal

  Zimmerman Academy New Beginnings

  Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook

  Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries by Henery Press:

  Pumpkins in Paradise

  Snowmen in Paradise

  Bikinis in Paradise

  Christmas in Paradise

  Puppies in Paradise

  Halloween in Paradise

  Treasure in Paradise

  Fireworks in Paradise

  Beaches in Paradise

  Thanksgiving in Paradise – Coming in 2019

  Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery:

  Romeow and Juliet

  The Mad Catter

  Grimm’s Furry Tail

  Much Ado About Felines

  Legend of Tabby Hollow

  Cat of Christmas Past

  A Tale of Two Tabbies

  The Great Catsby

  Count Catula

  The Cat of Christmas Present

  A Winter’s Tail

  The Taming of the Tabby

  Frankencat

  The Cat of Christmas Future

  Farewell to Felines

  A Whisker in Time

  The Catsgiving Feast

  A Whale of a Tail – Coming in 2019

  Writers’ Retreat Southern Seashore Mystery:

  First Case

  Second Look

  Third Strike

  Fourth Victim

  Fifth Night

  Sixth Cabin

  Seventh Chapter

  Eighth Witness

  Ninth Grave – Coming 2019

  Rescue Alaska Paranormal Mystery:

  Finding Justice

  Finding Answers

  Finding Courage

  Finding Christmas

  Finding Shelter – Coming in 2019

  A Tess and Tilly Mystery:

  The Christmas Letter

  The Valentine Mystery

  The Mother’s Day Mishap

  The Halloween House

  The Thanksgiving Trip

  The Saint Paddy’s Promise

  The Inn at Holiday Bay:

  Boxes in the Basement

  Letters in the Library

  Message in the Mantel

  Answers in the Attic – Coming 2019

  Family Ties:

  The Hathaway Sisters

  Harper

  Harlow – May 2019

  Haunting by the Sea:

  Homecoming by the Sea

  Secrets by the Sea

  Missing by the Sea

  Betrayal by the Sea

  Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery:

  Murder at Dolphin Bay

  Murder at Sunrise Beach

  Murder at the Witching Hour

  Murder at Christmas

  Murder at Turtle Cove

  Murder at Water’s Edge

  Murder at Midnight

  Seacliff High Mystery:

  The Secret

  The Curse

  The Relic

  The Conspiracy

  The Grudge

  The Shadow

  The Haunting

  Road to Christmas Romance:

  Road to Christmas Past

  USA Today best-selling author Kathi Daley lives in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband Ken. When she isn’t writing, she likes spending time hiking the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. She has authored more than seventy-five books in eight series, including Zoe Donovan Cozy Mysteries, Whales and Tails Island Mysteries, Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mysteries, Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Series, Writers’ Retreat Southern Seashore Mysteries, Rescue Alaska Paranormal Mysteries, and Seacliff High Teen Mysteries. Find out more about her books at www.kathidaley.com

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