The Body in the Igloo (Sunset Lodge Mysteries Book 9) by Diana Xarissa

Author:Diana Xarissa [Xarissa, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-05-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

While Abigail was waiting for her sister to return, she sat down at the reception desk and started to clear away emails. There were two automatically generated messages from their reservation system. She checked the first and then double-checked the system to make certain that they could actually accommodate the guests for the requested dates. As the guests had booked a weekend in November, Abigail knew they had plenty of vacancies, but she checked anyway. Then she opened the second email.

“It’s probably just a weird coincidence,” she said as she read through the reservation.

“What’s probably just a weird coincidence?” Mark asked.

“The name on this reservation is Joseph Averill,” Abigail said. “There are probably other men named Joseph Averill in the world.”

“When is Joseph supposed to arrive?” Mark asked.

“Tomorrow. He booked a room for two nights for two guests arriving tomorrow.”

“So if it is the same Joseph Averill, is he bringing Mary Jane?” Mark asked.

“I wish I knew. If it is the same Joseph, I really hope he isn’t bringing another woman.”

“I guess you’ll find out tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

“And it’s always good to have guests, right?”

Abigail smiled at him. “It is always good to have guests, although I very much prefer guests who aren’t involved in murder investigations.”

Mandy and Scott walked back into the lodge a few minutes later.

“We have guests arriving tomorrow,” Abigail told Mandy.

“On a Monday? That’s odd, isn’t it?”

Abigail shrugged. “It’s unusual, but everything about the reservation is unusual.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Actually, it isn’t everything, it’s just the Monday arrival and the fact that the guest is Joseph Averill.”

“Mary Jane’s husband?”

“I don’t know. The reservation is in his name, but it is for two people.”

“So he and Mary Jane might be checking in.”

“They might. Or it might be an entirely different Joseph Averill.”

“I doubt that. It’s an unusual last name.”

Abigail did a quick internet search on the name. “It’s not that unusual,” she said. “It might just be a very odd coincidence.”

“Why would he and Mary Jane want to stay here?” Scott asked.

“Maybe because Sunset Lodge is a wonderful place to stay,” Abigail said, her tone teasing.

Scott flushed. “Of course it is, but if it is the same couple from last night, it seems odd that they’re coming here.”

“And now we have to wait until tomorrow to find out,” Mark said. “Or rather, Abigail and Mandy have to wait until tomorrow to find out. You are going to call me and tell me everything, aren’t you?” he asked Abigail.

She laughed. “Of course I’ll call you and tell you everything.”

“And I’ll come over right after work to find out what’s happening,” Scott said. “Text me when they arrive,” he told Mandy.

“I need to make sure a room is ready,” Abigail said.

“I’ll help,” Mandy said.

“And we’ll both tag along because we’ve nothing else to do,” Scott said as Abigail grabbed the master keycard and got up from her chair.

“You guys can sit by the fire and chat,” Mandy suggested. “We won’t be long.”

“But we might be able to help,” Scott said.

Mandy laughed. “Abigail is going to open a door and look into a room.

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