Murder at the Oasis by David S. Pederson

Author:David S. Pederson [Pederson, David S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2023-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Later Thursday afternoon, May 30, 1946

The Oasis Inn, Palm Springs

Mason sprang to his feet and rushed around the shallow end of the pool to where Mrs. Pruitt was standing, not even bothering to put his sandals on first. “What’s happened, Mrs. Pruitt? What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice calm and direct.

“Something’s the matter with Angus. I think he’s…I think he’s dead!” Her voice was shaky as she spoke, and Mason thought she looked as if she might faint.

“Stay here and try to remain calm while I have a look.” He stepped into the room, noting the curtains were still closed, but the overhead light and one of the bedside lamps were on. Angus was on his back in the bed. His skin was a pale shade of blue, the thin coverlet pulled up to his waist. Mason checked his body for vital signs as Regina watched from the doorway, but Angus was clearly deceased and had been for at least an hour or so. Mason saw no obvious signs of foul play, no blood, no visible wounds or trauma, but he did a quick check of the room anyway. No one in the closet, under the bed, or in the bathroom. The small octagonal window at the back of the unit was open, though. He walked over to it and peered outside, noting a patio chair sitting beneath it. Curious. Without touching anything besides Angus, he went back outside, closing the door behind him. Walter and Ermengarde, now joined by Myrtle, were still standing on the other side of the pool, staring at him anxiously. Arlo never came back out of his room, nor did Miss Atwater or Granville, and Marvin was nowhere to be seen.

“Is he…is he really…” Regina said.

“Yes, I’m afraid he is. I’m sorry.”

She looked to be in shock. “I knew it. I knew the minute I opened the door something was wrong. It was terribly quiet, and I could see Angus in the bed, on his back, his eyes closed. I turned on the lights and called out to him, but he didn’t answer. I knew he wasn’t asleep because he wasn’t snoring, and yet he clearly wasn’t awake, either.” Her whole body was trembling.

Walter came over to them, carrying Mason’s sandals. “Here, you’re going to burn your feet if you don’t put these on. The pavement must be over 100 degrees.”

“Thanks,” Mason said, taking them and slipping them on.

“What’s happened?” Walter said, looking from Regina to Mason.

“Mr. Pruitt is dead,” Mason said. “Would you be so kind as to get Mrs. Pruitt some water, Walter?”

“Dead? Are you sure? How?” Walter said.

“Yes, he’s dead, and yes, I’m sure. I don’t know how. Get her some water from the office, would you?”

“Hmm? Oh, yes, certainly, dar…Mason. I’ll be right back.” Walter turned and hurried away, his sandals slapping the pavement.

“I can’t believe it,” Mrs. Pruitt said, her voice still shaky. “Angus and I were just talking out here only an hour ago or so.”

“Death can sometimes be quite sudden.

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