Cat Me If You Can by Miranda James

Author:Miranda James [James, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2020-08-25T00:00:00+00:00

NINETEEN

I didn’t take in the full import of Hindman’s words right away. Then what he said penetrated.

Before either Helen Louise or I could respond, he continued. “I’m sure you understand. A small boutique hotel like this can’t afford adverse publicity.”

“It’s a bit late for that,” Helen Louise said flatly.

“I suppose the police want to keep us all in one place because it’s easier for them,” I said.

Hindman shrugged. “That’s what they said. Look, it’s nothing personal. I’m sure most of your group are perfectly nice folks, but it seems pretty obvious that one of you isn’t. Until the police figure out which one of you it is, I don’t like the idea of any of my staff being put in danger any more than I relish the notion of having more of my guests murdered.”

His voice had risen enough so that people nearby picked up on his words. Gradually the buzz of conversation ceased, and Hindman realized what he had done. Chagrined, he turned around to face the dining room. Helen Louise and I took that as our signal to depart, and we did so while Hindman attempted to explain to the remaining customers.

“I understand his concerns as a business owner,” Helen Louise said, “but it’s still disconcerting to hear that someone wants to kick you out of a hotel.”

“I understand it, too, but he set himself up by not paying more attention to his decibel level.” I unlocked the door and ushered Helen Louise and Diesel inside. I bolted the door and followed Helen Louise and Diesel to the couch. I removed Diesel’s halter and leash, and he stretched and rolled on the carpet in celebration.

“Naturally the police want us to remain here,” Helen Louise said. “They don’t want any of their suspects slipping away from them.” All at once she uttered a bark of laughter. “This is the first time I’ve been one of the suspects. I don’t think I care for it.”

“Not a particularly pleasant experience,” I agreed. “We have the advantage over the police here, however. We know we can immediately rule out five of the suspects.”

Helen Louise thought about that for a moment. “Well, I’d say six, because you have to include Melba on that list, along with Miss An’gel, Miss Dickce, Benjy, you, and me.”

“Good grief, yes,” I said. “Don’t ever tell her I’d forgotten her, even for a moment.”

“The problem is, I have trouble seeing any of the remaining members of the group as a murderer,” Helen Louise said. “The two most obvious suspects are Ellie and Zac, because of their relationships to Denis Kilbride.”

“When you think about how it was done,” I said, “I can’t see how someone not intimately acquainted with Kilbride could have managed it.”

Helen Louise looked startled. “I hadn’t thought about that, but you’re right. Unless he was asleep, I suppose.”

“That could be,” I said, “but then there’s the problem of getting into his room. How would the killer do that unless he or she was already inside it?”

“Good point,” Helen Louise said.

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