Inn the Doghouse by Heather Horrocks

Author:Heather Horrocks [Horrocks, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery
Goodreads: 19227529
Publisher: Word Garden Press
Published: 2013-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

LIZ WASN’T JOKING. AS GRANDMA drove up Kensington and turned onto Main Street, Liz asked her to drop us off at Gene’s Mountain Home Real Estate office so she could get a copy of the Silver Creek Development files. Now that she was legally Gene’s heir, his half of the real estate business was hers, and she was free to do so.

“That will take a while,” Grandma said.

“Norma will help me with it.” Norma was the efficient, older woman who had worked as Gene’s receptionist and secretary since he opened the office five years ago.

“I didn’t see her at the funeral,” Grandma said.

“Wasn’t she there? I was too distracted to notice,” Liz said. “But I’m surprised to hear she didn’t come.”

“I’ll go visit Ilene,” Grandma said. “I need to pick up some yarn for a project, anyway. Just call when you want me to pick you up.”

Ilene Jackson was the owner of the town’s primo yarn, knitting, and craft store, Knits and Knots. She did the calligraphy on my Inn menus and signs in exchange for spending several awesome weekends at the Inn. It worked out well for both of us. She was an empty nester who turned her passion of a hobby into a thriving, successful business. She and Grandma were good friends.

As Liz pulled open the door, I flashed back to the scene from not quite two weeks ago—Gene opening the same door for his knocked-up, minor fling. I shook off the feeling of déjà vu that tingled my senses and creeped me out.

We stepped inside, out of the brisk November air, and turned to the receptionist’s desk.

The woman sitting there was not Norma. I didn’t recognize her and I could tell Liz didn’t, either. This woman was young, blonde and looked like the poster gal for a typical male midlife crisis. Liz and I exchanged narrowed glances.

The blonde looked up and smiled in a friendly manner. “May I help you?”

“Where is Norma?” Liz asked, with an edge to her voice.

“The woman who used to work here? She retired, I think.” She sat up straighter in her chair at Liz’s tone. “I’m Kylee Thompson.”

Norma was in her forties. I doubted retirement at that early age was in her career plans. She always loved real estate and working here. Why on earth would she have quit? Unless perhaps, some family thing came up. Her mother wasn’t well the last time I was in, about six months ago or so. Maybe she had to quit to take care of her.

Liz adjusted the purse strap on her shoulder. “How long have you been working here?”

“For a month.”

“Who hired you?”

“I did.” We looked up to find Lamont standing there. He made welcoming gestures toward Gene’s office. “Come on in, Liz, Vicki.”

Liz said, “I want to thank you for handling things for me, Lamont.”

“I’m glad I can help in some way. He was my best friend.”

Again, I followed Liz, taking a brief glance back at the trophy secretary who had replaced the working secretary.

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