Death by Gondola: A Springtime Murder in Venice (Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery Series Book 8) by Jennifer S. Alderson

Author:Jennifer S. Alderson [Alderson, Jennifer S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Traveling Life Press
Published: 2022-04-07T16:00:00+00:00

17 S.O.S.

Lana rushed up to her room, glad to see that Alex was already loitering in front of her door. She shooed him inside and quickly closed it behind them.

“Can I hide out in your hotel room until we figure out what to do next?”

Seeing him in such distress tore at her soul, but she needed to remain firm with him. “How would that work exactly? We are going to be out on different excursions for most of the day. At some point the cleaners are going to want to come inside; I can’t leave the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door all day without it seeming suspicious.”

Lana could feel herself getting more keyed up by the second. She pinched her nose, forcing herself to stop talking and take a lungful of air. Alex’s pained and sheepish expression only made her feel worse. As much as she wanted to wrap him up in her arms, she was too worked up about everything that he had done—and the problems it had created—to do so.

The breath of fresh air brought with it a new thought. “I may have a better idea. But I need to ask Dotty’s permission first.”

Her hands trembled as she waited for her boss to pick up. It was early in the morning in Seattle, but Dotty usually left her phone on, in case of emergencies.

“Hello, Lana. How is Venice treating you?” Dotty sounded so upbeat and chipper.

Lana sighed, hating being the bearer of bad news, yet again. “Venice is amazing. Thanks again for letting me lead this tour. Say, what are you doing up so early?”

“Earl surprised me this morning,” Dotty giggled. “He roused me out of bed when it was still dark and convinced me to bike over to Gas Works Park with him. I’m so glad I did what he asked instead of rolling over and ignoring him. We had a mimosa brunch on a picnic blanket as the sun rose over the Seattle skyline. Lana, he prepared it all himself. He really is the most romantic man I have ever met.”

“I am so happy for you, Dotty. He sounds like a wonderful guy. I hope we can have dinner together next time I am back in Seattle.”

“That sounds great. Earl is going to love you and Alex.”

The mention of her boyfriend’s name made her choke up.

“So, what’s going on, Lana? You usually don’t call me so early, unless there is an emergency.”

“You got me there,” she mumbled, frustrated that her boss saw right through her.

“What happened?”

“Oh, Dotty. Matteo Conti, the CEO of Sail Away Cruises, was murdered last night at that masquerade ball we were invited to. Our whole tour group was there.”

“No—not again!”

“And the police think Alex did it. But he ran away before they could arrest him.”

Dotty’s gasp was audible through the phone line. “As in Alex Wright, your boyfriend and Randy’s brother?”

“One and the same.”

“But how is he involved?” Dotty stammered. “I thought you said he was working in Berlin this week.

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