Mistletoe Can Be Murder: Every Wife Has a Story by Susan Santangelo

Author:Susan Santangelo [Santangelo, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: small town, Cozy Mystery with Dogs, Dogs, humor, Baby Boomers, Female sleuth, Funny Mystery, whodunit
Publisher: Suspense Publishing
Published: 2022-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Chocolate is God’s way of telling us He likes us a little chubby.

The lobby registration desk was busy with a line of impatient guests. Bobbie was doing her best to handle the crowd on her own, but from the harried look on her face, she wasn’t succeeding to anyone’s satisfaction.

“I’m glad we’re not checking in today,” Margo said. “Look at this crowd. There should be another person at the desk. Isn’t April working today?”

I suddenly realized that Margo had no idea what had happened last night to April. I grabbed her arm and pulled her aside so we wouldn’t be overheard. “April won’t be in today,” I said in a low voice. “In fact….” I searched for the right words to describe how Jim and I had discovered April in the parking garage without freaking Margo out. “I’m trying to figure out how to tell you,” I said. “It’s not easy.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. First you rush me out the door and now you’re stalling. What are you trying to say?” Margo turned and spotted Ryan standing near the main entrance. “Well, if you’re not going to tell me, I’ll ask Ryan. He should know what’s going on around here.”

“No!” I grabbed Margo’s arm so hard the poor woman screamed in pain. “Please, don’t ask Ryan. I’ll tell you.” I took a deep breath. “April’s dead. Jim and I found her in the parking garage last night when we took the dogs for a walk. The police are investigating.”

“Oh, my word. How horrible.” Margo rubbed her arm. “But you didn’t have to grab me so hard.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Is that why Mark was here this morning? To talk to you and Jim about April?” Margo asked. “I thought he was here to give me an ultimatum about Jeremy. I made things between us even worse by jumping to a completely wrong conclusion.”

“It was a natural reaction,” I assured her. “Be patient. I’m sure Mark will listen to reason once he has a chance to get to know Jeremy and see how happy you two are. I’ve been known to jump to the wrong conclusion myself. Everybody does it. The whole situation will straighten itself out and we’ll all have a wonderful holiday.”

After all, miracles can happen, especially at Christmas, right? Of course, right.

“Ryan and April were a couple,” I continued in a low voice, “and I’m sure he’s devastated about her death. I didn’t want you to upset him by asking innocent questions about why she isn’t at work. In fact, I’m surprised that he’s even working today.”

“Oh, that’s so sad. The poor guy.”

“It’s against hotel policy for employees to date, so nobody here knew they were in a relationship. I shouldn’t have told you. Me and my big mouth.”

“I promise not to say anything,” Margo said, looking peeved that I was suggesting she couldn’t keep a secret.

The cowardly part of me was hoping I could sneak out of the hotel without Ryan spotting me. I’d already spent a lot of emotional support trying to help my son-in-law reconcile with his mother.

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