Bikinis and Murder (Barefoot Sleuth Mysteries ~ Book 4) by H.Y. Hanna

Author:H.Y. Hanna [Hanna, H.Y.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wisheart Press
Published: 2021-01-30T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

Ellie followed Blake and Gina as they hurried toward the wing where the bikini contestants’ rooms were located. When they entered the building, they could hear a general hubbub of voices, shrill and scared, and as they rounded the corner, Ellie saw a group of people congregating outside the open door of a room at the end of the corridor. Several members of the resort staff, as well as a man in a resort security uniform, were hovering outside the door and, when they shouldered their way in, they found the room crammed full of the girls. They were milling around the twin beds in the center of the room, talking and gesticulating in great agitation. The only one who stood apart was Amber, who was on her own by the windows, her arms crossed and her face scowling.

At first glance, Ellie was relieved to see no dead bodies or even any injuries in sight. She did see Roxy sitting huddled on one of the twin beds, though. The girl looked distraught: her face was red and blotchy, her eyes wide and scared, and she was wailing and gasping. An older lady in a Housekeeping uniform was patting the girl’s shoulder and trying to comfort Roxy, and she looked up with relief when Blake entered the room.

Quickly, she rose to let him have access to the bedside, saying: “Oh, Doctor! She’s hysterical and I can’t calm her down!”

Blake sat down beside Roxy and gently reached out to grasp her wrist. He checked her pulse while talking to her in a low, calm voice. Ellie stood awkwardly next to him, wanting to help but not knowing what to do.

“I can’t… I can’t…!” gasped Roxy, hyperventilating. “Oh my God, I’m going to suffocate… just like Brandi!”

“No, you’re not,” said Blake, his voice firm but calm. “Look at me, Roxy! Focus on my voice. Good. Now—listen to me: take a breath in through your nose and then let it out—slowly—don’t rush it—just nice and easy… Good… In… Out… In… Out…”

“What about breathing into a paper bag?” asked Gina. “They do that for panic attacks on all the TV shows.”

“It’s not advised anymore,” said Blake tersely. “It’s not very effective and can be dangerous if carbon dioxide levels rise too high, especially if you have certain medical conditions. Staying calm and breathing slowly and deliberately is just as effective. In any case, her pulse seems normal…” He frowned slightly, then turned back to Roxy, who seemed to finally be calming down. She took a long, shuddering breath and sat up straighter, saying in a shaky voice:

“I’m… I’m feeling better.”

“What happened?” asked Ellie tentatively.

Roxy pointed a trembling finger at the head of her bed. There was a small carryall beside her pillow, with its zipper undone and clothes bursting out. Propped in the midst of the pile of clothes was a Barbie doll. But as Ellie stepped over to take a closer look, she felt a chill run up her spine. The doll’s head had been yanked viciously off and lay upside down next to the body.

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