One Deadly Night by Jack Cartwright

Author:Jack Cartwright [Cartwright, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-15T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

The Petwood Hotel was situated on several acres of gardens and forests that royalty would have approved of and probably had in the past. The building was half-timbered with a tiled roof and seemed to sprawl on and on with gable after gable peaking out over beds filled with lavender and roses.

“Remind me of this place when I eventually meet somebody,” Anderson said, as they walked from the car to the reception.

“You’ve never been here?” Nillson asked, to which Anderson shook her head.

“I haven’t really been anywhere,” she replied. “Unless we’ve carried out an investigation there, I don’t really feel like I’ve explored Lincolnshire. Except in the city. But I much prefer these types of places.”

“Are you a country girl at heart, Jenny?”

“No, not really. London born and bred. I think that’s why places like this appeal to me so much. It’s so quiet, and so…”

“Don’t worry about offending me,” Nillson said, while Anderson thought of the most suitable word.

“Quaint,” Anderson said eventually, stopping to admire the building once more before they stepped inside the reception, which, just like the exterior, oozed the charm and grandeur of a manor house.

A small reception desk was at one end of the reception, with seating for guests, and beyond that was a wooden staircase which captured Anderson’s attention so much that Nillson had to remind her why they were there.

“How can I help?” a girl behind the reception desk asked as Nillson approached.

“We’re actually wondering if we could speak to the manager,” Nillson said, keeping her voice low. She flashed her warrant card briefly then slipped it back into her pocket so as not to cause a disturbance. “It’s a matter of some importance regarding one of your customers.”

The girl managed to listen to what Nillson said, view the warrant card, and make a decision, all while maintaining a pleasant and warm smile.

“I’ll just be a moment,” she said, then gestured at a pair of armchairs. “Please, take a seat.”

She disappeared into a back room, leaving Nillson and Anderson some time to enjoy the interior.

“I don’t know how people do it,” Nillson said.

“Do what?”

“Smile like that,” Nillson said. “She smiled from the moment she saw us to the moment she slipped out the back, and no doubt she’s still smiling. It’s like it’s bloody painted on. I can barely raise a smile at the best of times, and even then I need an hour’s notice.”

“Well, don’t, whatever you do, give up the force to go into hospitality,” Anderson joked, as a woman in a smart trouser suit stepped out from behind the reception desk.

“Hello,” she said, in a voice that was as warm as the decor, yet authoritative. “I understand you’d like to discuss something.”

“Oh, hello,” Nillson said, and she followed the woman’s invitation to go through into one of the back rooms. Being a room designed purely for the staff, there was very little in the way of elaborate decor save for the mouldings, and pictures that must have run throughout the house.

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