THE DEAD WILL TALK by M.G. Cole

Author:M.G. Cole [Cole, M.G.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tanglebox Books
Published: 2021-05-19T16:00:00+00:00

16

Knowing the film makers left for set quite early, Garrick ambled into the Footman’s Hotel at a more respectable breakfast time. It was after nine and the dining room was empty, save for two bored teenage waiting staff. They informed Garrick that the Broadhaven team had left early as usual, and the only other guests were German tourists who checked in yesterday and had already breakfasted.

Garrick sought out the manager, an officious man who introduced himself as Mr Dillinger. He was schooled in the obsequious levels of customer service the rich demanded, and everybody else found irritating. He even wrung his hands with theatrical concern when Garrick asked about any complaints about the production team from the staff. Dillinger was dismissive and filled with praise about them, so naturally Garrick didn’t believe him. It took several attempts, and the threat of asking each staff to come to the station for a formal statement, before Dillinger agreed to let Garrick speak to the staff himself.

They tracked the housekeeping manager to a top floor corridor where she was overseeing a cleaner changing bedsheets in the rooms.

“Mrs Smith, this is Detective Garrick.”

She spoke in a soft Scottish accent and had obviously attended the same customer service course Dillinger had.

“How may I help, Detective?”

Her delivery was smooth and relaxed, but Garrick caught the fleeting glance to her boss when he’d introduced him. Garrick turned to Dillinger and positioned himself between the manager and housekeeper.

“Thank you Mr Dillinger, I will take it from here.”

Dillinger made no motion to leave. “It’s no problem at all. I’m quite happy to assist.”

“And your help isn’t needed,” said Garrick firmly. He took some gratitude from the manager’s nervous twitch. Unable to see Mrs Smith, he bobbed and weaved slightly, but Garrick didn’t move. Eventually, he excused himself and scurried back down the corridor.

“I can’t imagine a whole day working with a man like that.” Mrs Smith’s smile didn’t falter, but her polite chuckle was confirmation that she agreed. “I wanted to ask you about the film crew staying here.”

“I thought you would.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve seen the news.” Garrick had avoided it. “And I’m sure Mr Dillinger has said all he can.”

“I wasn’t asking him. I was asking you. I imagine Mr Dillinger spends a lot of time in his office or prowling around the reception or dining room. Why come all the way up here and mingle with the proles?”

Mrs Smith’s smile tightened. “I couldn’t say.”

“I didn’t imagine you would.” Garrick’s smile broadened. The polite reply would have been to deny his accusation. Now he had a firmer understanding of the boss/worker relationship. “And I imagine in a quality establishment like this discretion is absolute priority. Especially when it comes to famous people staying.”

“As they say, discretion is our watchword.”

Garrick kept checking over Smith’s shoulder. The cleaner in the room had dramatically slowed her pace as she eavesdropped.

“Would you or anybody else happen to have heard any commotion when Kelly Rodriquez was staying here?”

Smith’s smile tightened. “They were a boisterous couple.”

“Boisterous in a good way?”

“In a loud way.

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