Lexie Starr Cozy Mysteries Boxed Set Page 29

  "I'll start your bath water, honey. I'm glad we'd decided to have you stay in here with me tonight. There's no damned way I'd leave you alone in your room now. I don't want to let you out of my sight."

  "Who could've pushed me, Stone? And why? I wish I'd gotten a look at him, but it was so dark, and I was taken completely off-guard."

  "Anyone could've done it, I suppose. But why is someone so intent on causing you harm? I don't know what to think. But I do know I don't like it. I've just decided to take you back to your own house in Shawnee tomorrow. And I'm going to call Wendy and ask if she can be sure to stay with you for a couple of days while you recuperate. If nothing else, she can at least check in on you periodically during the day, and I'll do the same. You'll be safe there, and that's all that matters at this point."

  "But—"

  "My decision is firm. There'll be no debate about it. As long as we're involved with each other, I'm going to take care of you and protect you as best I can, whether you like it or not. So you might as well get used to it!"

  Get used to it? No problem there. Having a handsome, thoughtful man take care of me, protect me, and worry about my safety was definitely something I could get used to. With a contented smile on my face, I closed my eyes and Stone unfolded a quilt at the foot of his bed and placed it over me. "Now I'm going to draw you a bath, complete with soft music, lighted, cucumber-melon scented candles, and those dissolving lavender oil beads you like so much. Holler if you need anything. I'll be back to get you in a couple of minutes."

  By the time Stone returned from the bathroom to inform me my water was ready, I had fallen into a light, fitful sleep. I was barely conscious of Stone as he removed my socks and shoes, loosened my clothes, tucked the quilt around me again, and removed his own clothes to take advantage of the tub full of warm, scented water.

  I could soak when I arose in the morning, and I needed the rest more than anything, I'm sure those were his thoughts as he let me sleep off the after effects of a rough day.

  Chapter 14

  "Wake up, sleeping beauty," were the next words I heard. I felt a warm hand brushing the hair away from my face as I slowly opened my eyes. Stone was gazing at me with concern. There were deep creases around his eyes as he looked down at me. He was holding a tray laden with a heaping platter of food and a steaming cup of coffee. "I've brought you some breakfast, honey. How are you feeling today?"

  "Good morning. It looks and smells delicious, Stone. Thank you. I feel a mite rough around the edges, but pretty good, considering the circumstances."

  "Moving around just a bit might take away some of the stiffness, and eating will help you get some of your strength back. The breakfast is compliments of Crystal. It was her idea, and she made it for you after she finished cleaning the kitchen following the meal she cooked for the guests. She's cooked you crisp bacon, French toast, and two eggs, over hard. Ah, and here's an English muffin with strawberry jam."

  "How sweet. She prepared all my favorites. She is such a sweetheart, but I don't know how I could eat even half of all this."

  "Yes, well give it your best try. She asked me what I thought you'd like best. She really is a sweet, thoughtful gal. And she doesn't seem to mind the thought of another long day of work catering to all these quirky old blue-haired, Historical Society nuts."

  "They're still here?" I hoped I didn't sound as disenchanted by the news as I felt. After all, it wasn't as if the inn had suddenly been invaded by a swarm of twenty-pound subterranean termites. "Haven't all the guests been released to leave this morning? Last night they were all talking about going home today."

  "Yes, but you haven't taken a look outside yet," Stone said. He walked over to the window and drew open the drapes as if revealing the most hideous sight imaginable. "Nothing is working in our favor this week, is it?"

  All I could see when he opened the drapes was a wall of solid white out the window. There was a plain, old-fashioned blizzard taking place outdoors. "Holy moly," I exclaimed. "It must have snowed all night!"

  "It's a winter wonderland out there, that's for sure," Stone said. He'd managed to make winter wonderland sound like a purgatory in hell. "There's nearly a foot of heavy, wet snow on the ground, and another two or three inches are expected. It's still coming down pretty fast and furious right now. Except in extreme emergencies, the sheriffs department has prohibited all road travel. In fact, if you get stuck and don't have chains on your tires, you could be ticketed. None of the guests seemed too upset about being forced to spend another day here at my expense. They seem content to be waited on and fed and pampered like world renowned dignitaries while they wait out the storm."

  "Oh, I can well imagine. How did Crystal get here this morning? I had promised to pick her up if the weather was bad."

  "She called early this morning. I took your Jeep to St. Joseph at six-thirty and brought her back. I considered a house full of demanding old fogies an 'extreme emergency,' and thought it was worth the risk of getting stuck in your four-by-four to bring Crystal to the inn. I wouldn't have even scoffed at a hefty fine had I gotten stuck and ticketed. I might've even encouraged them to throw me in jail overnight," Stone said.

  "Don't even think about it, Buster. You're not getting out of this that easily."

  "No, I'm never that lucky. I told Crystal to bring an overnight bag so we wouldn't have to try to get her home this evening. The roads may be officially closed by then. She can use your room downstairs, since you won't be needing it."

  "Good idea, I wish we'd thought of that last night." I took a few sips of my favorite espresso Stone had brought me. I noticed he was eyeing me intently, trying to judge my condition. I tried to force a measure of cheerfulness in my demeanor to ease his concern. "Any problems getting around in the snow with my Jeep?"

  "None at all. Better start eating before your food gets cold."

  "Okay. What time is it?"

  "About a quarter after ten."

  "It's after ten? I haven't slept that late in ages. Good Lord, Stone, why didn't you get me up earlier? I feel like the laziest slug alive."

  "I thought the rest would be good for you. And with Crystal here, I didn't feel it was necessary to have you downstairs working in the kitchen. I knew she and I could take care of the guests adequately. Everyone's had breakfast and they're all milling around in the parlor, taking it easy this morning. A number of them are playing cards. They all seem to be in good spirits, at least."

  "That's nice," I said. I took another long swallow of the espresso. I felt like I hadn't had a sip of coffee in days.

  "I made an announcement at breakfast that, due to the accident you endured last night, there'll be no maid service today. Crystal can only do so much, and since this entire scenario was unforeseen, I'm counting on the guests to make their beds and tidy up their own rooms today. Crystal will be busy enough just keeping them fed."

  "Good for you! There's no sense letting them work Crystal to the bone. Keeping Patty Poffenbarger fed could be a full-time job all by itself."

  "That's what I thought, too. I'm sure cleaning up after themselves while they're guests at the inn might be considered a real imposition to several of them, but, amazingly, no one complained about my announcement. When I passed through the parlor a few minutes ago, they were setting up two card tables and choosing up teams for their game of pitch. Alma Turner was going into the kitchen to help Crystal make another pot of coffee, and Patty Poffenbarger was sweeping the front entryway while Otto was outside shoveling the sidewalk. I made him quit, however, because men our age have a tendency to drop over dead from heart attacks caused by the exertion of shoveling. I hired that redheaded young man up the street, named Walter Sneed, to come down and clear the sidewalks. So, as you can see, things are going along just fine, even while you lounge around like a lazy slug, as you put it."

  "That's a relief. I still feel guilty lying in bed while you and Crystal are working."

  "Well, don't! Now you finish up your breakfast. You're not goin
g to get away with just drinking coffee, so you might as well dig in. While you eat I'm going to draw you another bath. It might make you feel a little perkier. I ended up using the last bath I drew for you to wash my own tired body."

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean—"

  "Don't be sorry. I was glad to see you could fall asleep. You needed the rest. And I rather enjoyed those lavender oil beads and scented candles. Although, I have to admit, I found myself wishing I had a little curly-haired, brown-eyed beauty to share them with me." Stone was teasing, but I knew he'd been looking forward to a little romance and intimacy last night. I'd been looking forward to the same things. I vowed to make it up to him, and it was a promise I'd enjoy fulfilling.

  After Stone started the water running in the tub, he ducked his head around the corner and said, "Since it's no longer possible for you to go home as I'd planned, I want you to be extra cautious today. In fact, I'd prefer you kept yourself locked in my suite as much as possible, away from the guests. You can read, watch television, surf the Internet on my computer, or just lounge around in bed. No talking to guests or wandering around the inn. Okay? I won't be able to keep an eye on you all day."

  "Oh, all right," I said. "But only because I don't want you to worry about me, and it's obvious someone here is determined to give you cause to worry."

  "And they're succeeding. Maybe you can get those featherbed mattresses ordered for me today. Fire up my computer and do a little Internet surfing."

  "Okay, that's a good idea."

  "Oh, and by the way, I offered to loan your Jeep to Boris. He told me he was desperate to attend a vitally important meeting that's scheduled for six o'clock this evening, and he was concerned about how he'd get to it. I acted like I had no idea what the six o'clock meeting was about and told him I knew you'd be happy to lend him your vehicle, which is so reliable in the snow. You don't mind, do you? I thought it was important he didn't miss the scheduled rendezvous with Mr. Pikstone."

  "You're exactly right. It's the perfect solution, actually. My Jeep will be easy to tail. It practically glows in the dark. And I won't be in need of it this evening, anyway. Did you get in touch with the authorities on the kakapo abduction? Or has somebody who can contact the authorities been told about it?"

  "Well, I wasn't sure who to contact, so I called the Rockdale Police Department and talked to Wyatt—Detective Johnston—and he said he'd talk to Sergeant O'Brien and have O'Brien contact the New Zealand Department of Conservation and whatever authorities he thought needed to be informed about the situation. Nevertheless, it's in their hands now, and he assured me there'd be arrests made at the transfer tonight. He promised to call me later on today with an update."

  "Good. I'm anxious to see how it turns out. And I can rest easy today, knowing something's being done to save the parrots," I said.

  "Yes. We've done about all we can do. Wyatt couldn't help laughing about the situation when I explained it to him. He said it'd be the first parrot-napping case the Rockdale Police Department had ever been involved in."

  "I can well imagine."

  "Now, I want you to rest and enjoy your bath. Relax and try not to worry or be involved in anything that requires a trip to the ER tonight, okay? Boris will have your Jeep, and my Corvette is absolutely worthless on snow and ice."

  I agreed to take it easy and do my best to stay out of trouble. After I polished off the entire tray of food, I took a long, much-needed, soak in the tub. My stiff, aching body was very appreciative. I still had a dull throb in my right temple where I'd struck the railing. I took a couple of ibuprofen tablets I'd brought along in my toiletry bag. Stone had transferred my toiletries and my garment bag from my former suite downstairs. I had every intention of lounging around all day, reading and resting, and staying out of harm's way. My good intentions lasted nearly a full hour.

  Chapter 15

  I'd almost drifted off to sleep again when I heard a light, tentative tapping on my door. Out of habit, I glanced over at Stone's alarm clock and saw it was only eleven o'clock on this snowy Wednesday morning and already I was tired of lying around in bed. I put on Stone's plaid flannel robe and stepped into my own fuzzy slippers. There was another, more assertive, rap on the door, and I called out, "Who is it?"

  I heard a muffled reply, which I didn't comprehend. I couldn't even distinguish whether it was a male or female voice that responded.

  "Who?" I asked again.

  "It's Rosalinda," I heard clearly this time, even though she spoke in a breathy whisper. "Rosalinda Swift. May I speak with you for a moment? Please? I won't keep you long."

  I opened the door, and Rosalinda nearly fell into the room. I wasn't certain if she was already on her way to getting tipsy, or if she'd just been leaning against my door in order to hear my reply. Perhaps it was a little of both.

  "Come on in," I said. Stone had cautioned me against speaking to any of the guests, but I didn't feel at all threatened by this older, limp-looking woman. I felt confident I could defend myself in the event of an unprovoked attack. Last evening she'd been too inebriated to climb the stairs, much less climb them and shove me back down them, so I didn't feel there was any chance she was behind the misdeeds taking place at the inn. It was fortunate for Rosalinda her room was on the first floor, or she'd never make it up to her bed after happy hour each evening. I motioned her into the room and closed the door behind her. "What's up, Rosalinda? What did you want to see me about?"

  "Cornelius just told me what happened last night on the staircase, and I wanted to check and see how you were faring today. First the poisoning, and now this—on top of Horatio's murder—what in heaven's name is going on around here?"

  "I don't know, but I wish I did," I said. "I am a little sore today from my tumble down the stairs last night, but otherwise I'm doing fine."

  "After that terrifying incident at supper, with Patty nearly choking to death, I felt a mite overwrought and decided to turn in early last night," Rosalinda said. She ran her hand over her calf-length skirt several times, as if trying to iron out an invisible wrinkle.

  "I don't blame you. Did you sleep well?" I asked.

  "No. I tossed and turned all night, but it's to be expected with all that's been happening here at the inn the last couple of days. Nothing personal, my dear, but sometimes I wonder why we even chose this inn for the induction in the first place. We would have been wise to pick accommodations with a longstanding reputation of professionalism."

  "Urn, yeah, whatever..."

  "I was all set to go home this morning until this blizzard struck. Even though I was disappointed to have my plans thwarted, I've always enjoyed watching it snow and can't help but think it's beautiful out—"

  Okay, enough of this small talk, I thought. This vodka-swilling woman, who probably thinks I'm nothing more than a scullery maid, did not struggle up the stairs to check on my physical condition or tell me how much she adored snow. It was time to find out what she really wanted.

  "So, what was it exactly you wanted to discuss with me, Ms. Swift?"

  "Well, um, I'm aware of the fact you've been doing some snooping... er, I mean, investigating and inquiring as to who might be responsible for Mr. Prescott's murder, and I was hoping there was some way you could help my brother—"

  "Your brother?"

  "Uh, actually, he's my half-brother."

  "Your half-brother?"

  "Yes, and it's all my fault, I know," Rosalinda said. Her eyes began to well up with tears, and with trembling hands she reached into the cleavage of her silk blouse and pulled out a tissue the way a magician would extract a bunny rabbit from his top hat. She dabbed at her eyes and began to babble. "I don't know what to do. He's not the one behind all of this. It's entirely my fault. I should never have. But how was I to know. Oh my, you've just got to try to help him, Ms. Starr."

  "Whoa there. Calm down Rosalinda, and tell me who your half-brother is and why he needs help. I'm afraid you've completely lost me."

  "Peter Randall is my half
-brother. We had the same mother, you see, and he's been arrested and charged with the murder of Horatio Prescott," Rosalinda said.

  "Peter Randall's your half-brother? Hmm, that's interesting. Please go on."

  "They've got the wrong man. My brother would never have taken another man's life. Not even Prescott's."

  "How can you be so certain, Rosalinda? The authorities must be fairly convinced, or they wouldn't have arrested Peter for the crime. Your brother's alibi was pretty shaky, you know, and he did have a recent lawsuit filed against him by the victim. There seems to be a history of bad blood and a lot of friction and controversy between the two men. And, as you probably know, these are the kinds of things that add up to a strong motive for murder in the eyes of detectives."

  "That's just not the case, though. The bad blood was between Horatio and me, not Horatio and Peter. Let me start at the beginning," Rosalinda said as she awkwardly sat her bony butt down on the edge of Stone's bed. She shook her head and let out a long, dramatic sigh.

  "As I said, Peter and I shared the same mother. My mother married Stu Randall five years after my father died, and Peter was born about eleven months later. My stepfather, Stu, was killed by lightning in 1983 while playing on a golf course in Arizona.

  "When our mother passed away in 1985, she willed the Victorian mansion in the Museum Hill district in St. Joseph to Peter and me. It's the home where Mother had lived her entire life. The home was called 'Lily Belle' after my great-great-grandmother, the original owner of the home. Therefore, Peter and I are the co-owners of the historic home, which is now completely restored and open to the public. I live in another historic home that I recently purchased here in Rockdale, just two blocks from my brother's home. I'm in the process of having it restored, as well, and it's more convenient to stay there while the restoration is taking place. By the way, Peter's a self-employed financial consultant here in town."