Murder Below the Mistletoe by Kaz Delaney

Author:Kaz Delaney
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Cozy, Mystery
ISBN: 9781957748788
Publisher: Tule Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 2022-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Despite my weariness, I didn’t sleep a lot after Deputy Bodine left. I think we all felt a brief moment of pride when he’d been impressed by our work, and so it wasn’t a complete surprise when he suggested an arrangement to share information. To be clear, it wasn’t an offer to work together, and just like Frank, he warned us off deliberate investigation. And yes, it was very bad of me, but in deference to my promise to Cindy, I had my fingers crossed when I agreed.

One positive about all those sleepless hours was that I attacked the new day with a plan and while it wasn’t in my nature, if my direct questions offended, so be it. Two people had lost their lives and another was lucky to be here with us. And that was way too much. First though, I had to feed them. That was a weird juxtaposition of thoughts—give sustenance to a murderer? Still, maybe it would make them more amenable to talking to me. On second thought, maybe I should bribe them with the threat of no food?

Considering for the first time in my life I was literally dragging myself to a kitchen, the thought had merit. Not that we were going for an elaborate menu this morning. We’d noticed appetites were waning; lots of food was being returned uneaten and Phil and I both knew it wasn’t the quality. The answer was in the faces that surrounded us; in the haunted eyes, in the fear that constantly hovered not far from the surface. It was in the silent halls and whispered conversations. They moved in groups now, especially after the deputy had advised them to stay together, in groups of three preferably. I’d heard the other three bridesmaids were currently bunking together—and I’d never been more grateful to be not accepted.

The continental breakfast was mostly handled by the kitchen hands, but still Phil and I helped out. Making toast, heating rolls and croissants didn’t take a whole lot of effort and gave me the opportunity to ask about the thing I should already have asked. “Phil, this is really awkward, and if it wasn’t for the murders, I’d never ask…”

He side-eyed me before going back to loading more bread into the commercial toaster. “Hmmm?”

“It’s just that I saw you and Cindy on my first night.” He continued to focus on his task, but I noted his mouth tightened. “She was coming out of your room and it kinda looked like…” I deliberately let my words trail, hoping he’d fill in the gaps.

It took a moment but on a sigh he finally turned to me. “She came to me, upset… Said she wasn’t sure what was going on with Dell and needed a shoulder.” He scraped a hand across his face. “I guess it’s no secret how I feel about her, so we had some drinks and I let her talk. Nothing happened, Rosie, I swear. And I’m not saying it wouldn’t have been easy to take advantage of her, but I’m not wired like that.

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