Lexi Graves Mysteries Omnibus Volume One by Camilla Chafer

Author:Camilla Chafer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic mysterycomedy mysterylexi gravesmystery seriesomnibusboxsetcozy mystery
Publisher: Camilla Chafer

Chapter Nine

Interviewing suspects was starting to get old. It was no use. As soon as any of the employees knew I was Edward Killjoy's new assistant, they shut down. I could understand why. For all they knew, I might be feeding information back to him that would go into their personnel reports. Of course, I was feeding information back to him, but as far as I knew, Solomon was charging a small fortune to do it. At least, I hoped it was a small fortune; I had a percentage at stake.

I checked the hallway was clear, Louisa obviously on the phone as her voice sounded in a one-sided conversation, and walked the few paces to Edward's office. His door was open and he too was on the phone as he waved me in. I entered quietly, shut the door and waited.

"Sorry about that," he said after hanging up. "What can I do for you?"

"I want you to have a go at me."

Killjoy raised his eyebrows. "Pardon?"

"I want you to have a go at me publicly. I want you to be a total ass."

"Why?"

"None of your employees will open up as long as they think we're chummy. I want you to be a complete asshole so someone will sympathize with me. I want to gain their trust."

"And you think this will do it?"

"It will when I burst into tears and run out of the room."

Edward leaned back in his chair, but looked far from relaxed. "I've never chewed an employee out publicly before. Wouldn't that be out of character?"

"You don't have to scream at me. Just call me a stupid woman or something. Be stressed out and rude. I'll be emotional and weak." I mimed rubbing my eyes and pulling a face.

"What kind of stuff shall I say?"

"Just pick on me for silly things. Say you don't know why you hired me. Say I'm getting everything wrong, and I'm too dumb to be your assistant."

"Okay," Edward said slowly. "What if someone says something to me... like Louisa?"

"Just say you snapped because you're stressed out over everything that’s going on. Everyone will believe that. Say you'll apologize. Then I'll be aloof and sniveling for a couple of days, okay?"

He gave me a skeptical look as he leaned back in his padded chair. "And you believe this will really get people talking to you?"

"Absolutely," I assured him.

"Okay, fine,” he sighed. “When shall we do this?"

"This afternoon would be good. We can't do it in the guest areas, so let's do it in the kitchens, maybe. The wait staff can spread the gossip."

Edward sighed. "I hope you're sure about this."

I returned for Edward mid-afternoon, with two large folders in my hands.

"What're those for?" he asked.

"Props," I said. "Where's the most obvious place to stage this? Where are we most likely to be overheard?"

"The staffroom. Most of the wait staff will take a short break now that lunch is over before they start getting ready for the early evening covers."

"Lead on."

I followed Edward as he navigated the corridors.

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