The Sign of the Calico Quartz (The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries Book 1) by Jan Drexler

Author:Jan Drexler [Drexler, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swift Wings Press
Published: 2022-05-24T16:00:00+00:00

Nine

By the time Paul’s body had been recovered and sent to the coroner’s office, afternoon teatime had come and gone. No one noticed. Cal had asked the guests and staff, including Becky, to meet him in the dining room and we waited in silence, except for an occasional sniff from Annie. Roger sat next to her, frowning as he stared at the floor.

Just as Cal walked in the front door, Wil came in from the direction of the kitchen and took a seat at an empty table.

“Good, you’re all here,” Cal said. He set his duffel bag on the nearest table, the one where Roger and Annie were sitting, and laid his hat on top. He took a notepad from his shirt pocket.

As he flipped it open, Roger said, “Was he murdered?”

“From my preliminary examination, it looks like Paul Peterson’s death was an accident. He stepped too close to the edge of the cliff and fell.”

From my vantage point at the edge of the group of tables, I could see most of the guests′ reactions. Roger put his arm around Annie’s shoulders, while Nora dabbed at her mascaraed eyes with a napkin. Sam leaned his arms on his knees and stared at his laced fingers. Wil was the only one who didn’t look moved by the news. Probably thinking about tomorrow’s breakfast menu, I thought.

“I’ll answer any questions I can,” Cal said.

“What about his television show?” Roger asked. “Will it be canceled?”

“I can’t answer that one. You would have to contact the production company or someone.”

“Did he...” Tears trickled down Annie’s cheeks. “Did he suffer?”

“It looks like his death was instantaneous, so no. I don’t think so.”

Sam slapped his hand on the table. “Since it was an accident, we’re free to go on with our plans, aren’t we?”

Nora punched his shoulder. “Shut up. A man is dead and all you can think about is going to another casino.”

He scowled at her. “Face it. No one is going to spend a lot of time grieving over Paul Peterson.”

Annie buried her face in her hands as Roger rose to his feet and faced Sam, his fists clenched.

“Not everyone is as heartless as you.” His voice quavered. “Some of us actually liked the man and we’re sorry he’s dead.”

Rose raised her hand, bringing Cal’s attention to her. “I think what Mr. Nelson is trying to ask is that if the death was an accident, we aren’t restrained from going about our normal lives.”

“That’s right.” Cal flipped his notebook closed and put on his hat. “We still have the matter of Dick Brill’s murder to investigate, but you may all carry on as usual.”

The group was silent as Cal picked up his duffel and headed for the door. I followed him out the front door and caught up with him just as he reached his police SUV.

“What makes you so sure it was an accident? You have to admit that it looks very suspicious for Paul to die like that just after Mary was poisoned.

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