Bound by Murder by Laura Gail Black

Author:Laura Gail Black
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CROOKED LANE BOOKS

Chapter Sixteen

I watched the dappled sunshine dance across my lap as it filtered through the trees above, and I tried to concentrate on the steady clop clop of the horses’ hooves and the sway of the carriage rather than the lunch I’d agreed to have with Gwendolyn Emerson at the Hokes Bluff Inn. When I’d reached the inn’s gated parking lot, I’d sat in my car for a full fifteen minutes, debating whether or not to actually go through with it.

Keith would be pissed if he knew. But it was another instance where someone would tell me things they wouldn’t tell the police, and I owed it to Tish. At least that’s the excuse I used to force myself out of my car and into the horse-drawn carriage for the two-mile ride to the inn.

When I alighted from the carriage in front of wide curved stairs leading to a shaded porch that stretched for at least sixty feet and was dotted with benches, chairs, and tables, I pulled two carrots from my pocket and thanked the horses for a lovely ride, a habit I’d formed after my first carriage trip up the tree-lined lane.

I climbed the stairs and entered what served as a lobby, marveling yet again over the beautiful paintings; ornate, hand-knotted rugs; soaring ceilings; and delicate-looking but sturdy furniture. Entering Hokes Bluff Inn was truly as close as I’d ever come to taking a step back in time.

As I crossed the room toward the dining area, I passed Elliot, the inn’s manager, his soothing tones aimed at a distraught older woman.

“Mrs. Blankenship, as you know, we’re already booked out for a year for weddings in the main hall, and that time line keeps extending.”

“I don’t care. My baby has decided she wants a June wedding, and we’re not waiting until next June. Don’t you realize who my husband is?” The woman’s loud voice carried through the massive room and bounced off the walls, echoing into every corner.

“My good woman, I understand your plight, and I would be happy to accommodate you and your husband, our district’s senator.” Elliot maintained his turn-of-the-twentieth-century mannerisms, which matched the early 1900s clothing he wore. “I may have a solution for you and your daughter. You say you want June? Let me look in our calendar. We have an exclusive room we hold in reserve for only our best clients. I’m sure at least one weekend in June will still be open.”

The woman preened and her nose rose another notch, if possible. “That would be wonderful of you.” She looped her arm through his offered elbow and allowed herself to be escorted toward the front desk.

I managed to hold in my snort. I knew all about the overflow room, usually used as a children’s entertainment area while adults enjoyed the main hall during booked events. I’d heard him use that trick before, and it seemed it worked every time.

I stepped through the doorway to the dining hall, impressed again by the two huge fireplaces, stacked with unlit wood, which stood at either end of the hall.

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