Mystery at the Bay Sands Hotel (Smoke and Mirrors Book 2) by Jan Jones

Author:Jan Jones [Jones, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Jan Jones
Published: 2022-04-10T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jack was once again sitting on a bench outside the Bay Sands Hotel when a sandy-haired gentleman with keen eyes and an air of mild authority alighted from a car. He was carrying a leather bag reminiscent of a doctor’s case. With him was another gentleman, taller, blockier, slightly older. They could have passed anywhere for a couple of businessmen. The car drove away.

“Good evening,” said the first gentleman to Jack, glancing without comment at the tarpaulin-covered arrangement of planks at the far end of the building. “I wonder if you could tell me where the manager of this hotel is to be found?”

“On the top floor at a cocktail party where I ought to be,” replied Jack. “It isn’t going with quite such a swing as it might, due to the roof terrace having a barricade of chairs along the edge at the insistence of the local police. If you prefer an area where feelings are a little less fraught, might I recommend the first small sitting room on your left as you cross the foyer. It contains Sergeant Pine of the Kingsthorpe constabulary, a most dogged and diligent officer.”

“Very useful. Thank you. And where will you be for the next hour?”

“Changing for dinner in room 17, where I may be joined by a chambermaid if my luck is in. You are welcome to make one of the party.”

“How kind.” Both men nodded genially and went inside. Jack waited for a few minutes, then he too crossed the plush reception carpet before making his way upstairs. Lucy was in her cubby, reading a picture paper.

“Hello,” he said. “I thought you’d be finished by now. Shouldn’t Phoebe be dressing for dinner?”

“Phoebe is suffering from belated shock and has lost her appetite,” replied Lucy. “I’m going back to the staff wing.”

Jack looked at her shrewdly. “Arm yourself with a resigned expression and come and tell me why. We should have plenty of time before Curtis of the Yard is ready to do his stuff.”

“It is him, then?”

“Was it ever in doubt?” He listened to what she’d found out from Irene and agreed with her conclusions.

“I have to be over there,” she finished. “Whether she’ll want to talk or not, she might want company and it would be really hurtful if I seemed to ignore her just when she’s opened up to me.”

Jack was far from being as sanguine about Lucy’s friend as she was, but he couldn’t question her judgement of a woman she’d been working with day in, day out, for three weeks. “Be very careful, Lucy. Don’t give yourself away, but keep your ears open for anyone who may be discussing Hilliard’s death.”

“Irene said they all are. The Russians are terrifically agitated, all muttering together in huddles.”

Jack made a disgruntled noise. “And they called Hilliard ‘the wolf’ and weren’t surprised at his death. It’s a pity there isn’t a way for Charles to listen in on them. Much as I hate to admit it, you are right to go.

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