Shepherd by the Sea: A Pastor Clarissa Abbot Mystery by Glen Ebisch

Author:Glen Ebisch [Ebisch, Glen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press
Published: 2021-03-11T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“What happened to your neck?” Mrs. Morgan asked, eying the bandage as soon as Clarissa entered the kitchen.

“Just a minor injury, I’ll tell you later,” Clarissa said breezily, although she had to admit that her neck felt stiff and sore. “I have a breakfast appointment. Sorry I couldn’t let you know sooner, but it just got set up last night.”

“That’s no problem. I figured you’d have your usual cereal anyway. Do you have time for a cup of coffee?”

“I’d better not. I’m going to walk over. The breakfast is at the Senator Hotel.”

“Oh, very nice. They do a fine breakfast there. Be sure to try some of their breads.”

“I’ll see you at lunch,” Clarissa said as she left the parsonage.

She decided to go directly down Washington Street to the pedestrian mall and then through the three blocks to the Senator Hotel. The mall was quiet at this early hour in the middle of the week in September. By later in the day there would be a few tourists browsing the sleepy shops, but the weekend would see things getting positively crowded. Clarissa walked at a good clip enjoying the exercise and the refreshing air of early fall—happy to be alive.

The Senator Hotel had a long porch supported by columns, giving it something of a plantation look. Clarissa slipped on her mask and went inside. The lobby sported an elegant mahogany registration desk to the right and on the left was a large fireplace with an arrangement of four upholstered leather chairs in front of it. A fire was already blazing on the hearth.

Going straight through the lobby, Clarissa headed toward the hostess’ station for the hotel restaurant, which was called the Red Rooster. She paused at the desk and told the young woman that she was supposed to meet a couple of people for breakfast and asked if she could look inside to see if they were already there. The hostess waved her through.

The restaurant was shadowy even on a bright day. The floor was made of wide dark planks and the walls had gray wainscoting. A fire was blazing on the hearth just below a primitive painting of a Red Rooster. The effect was early nineteenth century. Whereas most of Shore Side was Victorian in style, this predated that look by fifty years. She paused for a moment, waiting for her eyes to adjust.

“Over here, Clarissa!” a woman called out.

She turned to her left and saw Cheryl waving to her from a table over in the corner. It was a large circular table, and she was pleased to see that the three people around it were socially distanced. Fortunately, there was room for a fourth. She was surprised to see that along with Rhonda and Cheryl, a man was also seated the table. Cheryl made the introductions, informing Clarissa that the man was Richard Coppleston, president of Verve Pharmaceuticals, the company where Karla had worked.

“Very nice to meet you, Pastor Abbot,” he said standing up and giving a short bow.

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