The Haunted Inn by J. A. Whiting

Author:J. A. Whiting [Whiting, J. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J A Whiting / Jeri White
Published: 2018-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

14

The bar-restaurant was located down at the docks overlooking the harbor and boats. An outside patio with tables and chairs and several seating groups clustered around glass coffee tables bustled with people enjoying appetizers and drinks. The band played inside, but speakers brought the music out to the patrons on the patio.

Warm temperatures without a bit of humidity and a clear sky full of stars enhanced the crowd’s enjoyment as people chatted and mingled.

“What a great night,” Viv smiled taking in the scene.

Jeff managed to find a table on the patio when a group vacated the spot.

“Perfect,” John said as he scanned the fashionably dressed people. “This is going to be fun.”

The foursome ordered drinks and light dinners.

“I think everyone on the island is here,” Lin chuckled. “I didn’t think this place would be so crowded.”

“The band is popular,” Viv pointed out. “They’ve got two songs getting a lot of airplay. It’s great to see them so successful.”

When they’d finished their meals, two women came over to the table to chat with Viv and Lin, and Jeff and John wandered off to the other side of the patio to talk with some acquaintances.

When their girlfriends went inside to see the band, Lin and Viv sat listening to the music until a man’s voice greeted them. Paul Monroe, wearing tan chinos and a navy blazer, sat down at the table with the cousins. His eyelids looked heavy and his speech was slightly slurred from a couple of drinks too many.

“How are you doing?” Viv asked.

“I’m keeping busy and drinking too much to avoid thinking about Warren’s murder.”

“Are you here alone?” Lin asked.

Paul nodded. “My wife went back to the mainland for a few meetings. I didn’t want to sit at home alone sulking so I decided to come down in the hopes I’d run into some friends.”

“How is Mrs. Topper doing?” Viv asked.

“She’s holding together fairly well. Of course, it might be a different story when she’s alone.”

“You said you and Warren were friends for almost thirty years?” Lin questioned.

“That’s right.” Paul lifted his drink to his lips, saw that the glass was empty, set it down, and flagged a waiter for another. “Time flies.”

“You know Maggie pretty well?”

“Sure. Well, not as well as I knew Warren, but my wife and I have been friends with the Toppers for years. We did things as couples, golfed, went to the beach, met other friends for dinner and drinks.”

“You never noticed a crack in the Toppers’ marriage?” Viv asked.

“No.” Paul seemed about to say more, but hesitated.

“Was there ever disharmony between Warren and Maggie?”

When the waiter returned with a fresh drink for Paul, he picked it up and took a long swallow. “Maybe there was some friction from time to time.”

“How do you mean?”

“Maggie isn’t the easiest person to get along with.”

Lin and Viv waited to see if Paul would say more.

Paul slouched and rested an elbow on the table. “Maggie’s nice and all, but she’s got some attitude. The woman is loaded. She inherited a bundle.

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