This Old Homicide by Kate Carlisle

Author:Kate Carlisle [Carlisle, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cozy-Mystery, Fiction
ISBN: 9780698153912
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2015-01-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“How do you think the party’s going?” Jane asked an hour later as she cast an anxious look around. “I’m too involved to see it objectively.”

“It’s going great,” I said. “It’s a fabulous party. Try to relax. Everyone is raving about the great food and excellent wine, and your place looks fantastic. Did you redo the lighting in here?”

“Just tweaks here and there.” Jane’s smile was tinged with pride. “I think we cleaned up well.”

“I’d say so,” I said, laughing. “Everything looks elegant and welcoming. Have any guests arrived yet?”

“Yes, two darling couples drove up from San Francisco earlier this afternoon and were the first people to check in.”

“How exciting.”

“It was. I gave them each a champagne basket to celebrate.”

“Cool.”

“Three more couples arrived shortly after that, and five singles and a couple streamed in over the past few hours. I suspect at least one of them is a reviewer. Sandra is showing them to their rooms.”

“Who’s Sandra?”

“Sandra Larsen. Didn’t you meet her? She’s my new assistant manager.”

“I guess I haven’t been around lately.”

“I’ll introduce you. She’s a cousin of Sean’s.”

“Then she must be okay,” I said, grinning. “So any more guests expected?”

“Yes, I’m expecting a family to arrive later tonight. And I had one dropout, which bummed me out a little. But then someone just called a few days ago and reserved the room for a week starting Monday afternoon. So that’s all fourteen rooms.”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed. “A full house. It’s all happening, Jane.”

“I know.” She giggled and let out a little squeal. “I’m an innkeeper for real!”

“You’re a hotelier,” I said, raising my glass to her.

“Yes, much classier.”

I gave her a quick hug. “I’m thrilled for you. Congratulations.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“That’s so true.” I laughed and shook my head. “No, I helped rebuild the walls and the floors and the facades, but you added your own special touch of beauty and grace and friendliness. That’s what your guests will take away and talk about for years to come.”

“Oh.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. “Don’t you dare make me cry again.”

“Ooh, I see a tear,” I said, peering at her. “I believe my work here is done.”

She smacked my arm. “Beast.”

“That’s me.” I grinned. “Hey, did Althea find you?”

“Althea’s here?” She glanced around. “Where is she?”

“She took herself off on a little tour of the place, but that was a while ago.”

“Oh, good. I’ll go track her down.”

At that moment, Jane’s assistant tapped her on the shoulder. “I hate to interrupt, but we’ve had a cancellation.”

“Oh no.” Jane gave me a quick glance before turning to follow Sandra through the door to the check-in desk tucked under the main stairway off the foyer. I tagged behind.

Jane looked at the phone message Sandra handed her. “Andrew Braxton. He was involved in a car accident.”

“His doctor called from the hospital,” Sandra added. “He’s had to cancel his entire trip.”

“Must’ve been a bad accident,” I said.

“I hope he’s okay.” Jane wrung her hands. “He’s the one who reserved the last room, and he even paid for the entire week in advance.

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