Murder at the Willcotts Hotel by Sasscer Hill

Author:Sasscer Hill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Female sleuth, mystery, cozy animal mystery, cozy murder mystery, Crime
Publisher: Wild Spirit Press
Published: 2023-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

That day rolled along like endless miles on a highway. Late that afternoon, Kate, Tom, Billy, Rissa, and even Sebastián decided to play at the Palmetto Golf Club. Rissa said she would watch the foursome.

I hadn’t realized Sebastián was a golfer. The gang wanted me to ride with them in a golf cart and watch as they played nine holes.

Kate was insistent. “You must come. The club we’re going to is historic. It was founded in 1892 by Thomas Hitchcock, that millionaire from Long Island, the one who donated thousands of acres of horse trails to Aiken.”

“I know. I read the brochure.”

“Janet, you shouldn’t spend the day alone brooding about things.”

Spending the day alone was exactly what I wanted. I’d rather shoot myself then sit in a golf cart with Billy Banford all afternoon. I might go batty and end up in one of his assisted living homes.

“Sorry Kate, I’m not feeling well. Besides, everyone will be at the races tomorrow and we can make a day of it.”

“So, you’re not coming with us today?”

“No.”

“Suit yourself,” Kate said.

Thank you, I will.

I spent the afternoon reading a Michael Connelly novel, had dinner in my room, and followed up with a movie. The lack of company was delightful and when I went to bed, I had the first good sleep since Paul’s murder.

I awakened on Saturday, keenly aware it was racing day. After breakfast, I pulled on slacks and a turtleneck and headed to the track. I hung around Pearl’s stall, following Ronnie and asking questions until he was ready to throw me out.

“Mrs. Simpson,” he said. “You’re so tense, you’re making your filly nervous. If you want her to run well, you need to leave her be. You can see her in the paddock before her race, but as her trainer, I’m asking you to stay away from the barn until after the race.”

The edge to his voice, and a tightening of his jaw made me want to say I wasn’t the only one who was nervous, but I faked a smile and said, “Sure thing. See you in the winner’s circle.”

“God willing” he said.

After changing into a dress for the races, I met the gang for lunch. The six of us spread out among the same two armchairs and long couch where I’d first met Paul.

Our waiter served us our tray of drinks. Sebastián raised a glass. “To the beautiful Pearl!”

We toasted the filly, ate lunch, and piled out of the hotel to get in our cars. Kate was riding with Tom and Billy, and Sebastián was chauffeuring Rissa and me in his Mercedes SUV. While Rissa and I waited for Sebastián to bring the car around, the others left.

“I hope you win, Aunt Janet!”

“Me, too. But the most important thing is that the filly comes out of the race unharmed.”

“Nothing will go wrong,” Rissa said.

As she spoke, a van appeared and braked hard in front of us. A tall, long-haired muscular young man jumped from the driver’s seat, swung around the front of the van, and ran at Rissa.

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