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I approached the couple in hopes of softening the potentially riotous problem if others heard and joined the push to leave.
“I couldn’t help but overhear. It’s great news about the weather letting up and the roads will be opening soon but they weren’t open the last I heard? You won’t get far. Besides, I thought we were also providing the police time to investigate.” I was trying to channel my mother’s voice to reason with an unruly child. I knew it so well.
“I would think they’ve had plenty of time by now...” He began.
“Oh, even with all the wrecks and emergencies that took resources away from the investigation? It’s not as though this was the only problem the police had to deal with.” Leading them by the hand.
“Oh dear, I hadn’t thought of that.” The wife said. Her eyebrows carved into a deep “v” shape. Hubby still had a bullish look on his face.
“I can’t help it they didn’t get the investigation done yet. They can’t expect me to stay, I’m not going to pay for a single day past my scheduled check out.”
I looked at the front desk clerk. Her big eyes and open mouth told me she didn’t know the answer to that demand either. I was about to suggest she call the manager or assistant when Johan arrived. He’d rushed to the lobby and skidded to a stop at our little group.
“Oh good. Detective Larson, perhaps you can give us an update on the investigation and road conditions. This couple is anxious to leave.” I figured he would understand the situation with that introduction.
Johan nodded curtly. “I’ve been in touch with state officials and we would appreciate everybody staying through today.” He had drawn himself up to his full height and puffed his chest out like a rooster. But the irate man had his hands on his hips.
It was a showdown and I felt like we could have slipped back in time with the sheriff having a standoff with a ruffian. I cracked a smile despite how serious the situation could potentially get.
“You can’t just keep us here against our will.” The man huffed.
“I appreciate how you likely want to get home. Give us one more day to investigate. We have your home address and information, correct?” Johan was pouring on the charm now. I figured he probably used that tool more often in his job than any other.
The husband looked at his wife, “What do you say, dear?”
“I guess we can stay one more day, but then I really want to get home to my little princess.” The lady answered. “My poodle.” She added by way of explanation.
One crisis averted. We were down to mere hours before the killer would return home. Only a few short hours remained until the chances of solving the case or arresting the killer diminished and he or she was free to potentially leave the country.
The couple turned and meandered to the elevator. The front desk lady looked a bit shell-shocked still but gave us a weak smile.
“We were headed for lunch and I heard them. I didn’t want another uprising.” I explained.
Johan’s eyes were still red with bags under his eyes. His hair was limp, and I suspected he hadn’t shaved yet today, judging by the accumulated growth he was sporting.
“Mind if I join you for lunch, I may not eat otherwise.” He looked at me but I wasn’t sure he even focused.
“If you um, don’t mind sitting with Porsche.” I wasn’t sure how he might feel about that on top of his dilemma with two murders to solve. I motioned towards her standing by the staircase
“Yeah, okay. I know it’s a little awkward, but we had a good talk last night.”
Okaaaaay, but I worried how Porsche might feel about my inviting him without consulting her first.
Johan walked over to Porsche, “Thanks for the call. I know keeping everyone together can’t last much longer.” He took a deep breath. “Would you mind if I joined you and Julienne for lunch? It’ll give me a chance to catch my breath and eat.” They both looked uncomfortable and didn’t make eye contact.
We were in the little café, Mountain Chalet, in a corner slightly away from the main traffic. There was actually some sunshine glinting on the windows occasionally. I hadn’t realized how subdued I felt with all the gray and gloom until just a glimpse of sun warmed my spirits and brought a smile to my face. As much as I was enjoying the resort and restaurants, I was looking forward to being home.
I looked at the menu and still wanted a home-cooked meal. I would kill for some homemade meatloaf. Don’t get me wrong, the Bavarian and German dishes had been amazing, but the menu didn’t have anything I really wanted to try anymore.
We placed our orders and jumped right into the problem at hand.
“Do we really get to leave tomorrow?” I tried to be patient as long as I could, but I ended up just blurting it out.
“I’m afraid so. I don’t have enough to hold my persons of interest, all forensics have been collected, all staff and guests have been questioned twice now, and the two victim’s rooms remain empty and sealed. Once the roads are safe, I really can’t force every guest to incur more expense and stay indefinitely.” He took several swallows of the coffee the waitress had brought. “Unless more evidence is discovered or this is somehow blown wide open, we’ll be relying on the forensic evidence going to the Denver labs. There’s a chance they may find something, but that could take weeks, maybe even months.” His shoulders slumped.
Porsche placed a hand on his arm. “You’ve worked hard and done your best in extenuating circumstances. That’s all anybody can expect.” He reflexively placed his hand over hers.
“I got something from the massage therapist this morning.” I took a drink from my coffee. Ooooh, I would miss this dark brew. “Leona was upset that her boyfriend made it here but with his wife. Get this, it was even some sort of anniversary which made it worse. So, she was having a long-running affair.”
Porsche jumped in, “So that ruby necklace from her boyfriend could have been a gift from a married man. If the married guy killed her, then it makes sense he would take the necklace on the chance he could be linked to purchasing such an expensive gift.” Well yes, that made sense. Why didn’t I think of that?
We stopped talking while the waitress delivered our meals and we each took a bite.
Johan picked up the conversation. “That would explain why the sim card from her cell phone was removed too. Any text or phone calls to and from the married man would incriminate him.” Either the coffee was reviving him, or he functioned well with little sleep because I missed that rather obvious connection.
“There’s the possibility of a wife killing her too. If the wife was enraged, I bet she could strangle Leona. Particularly if she had the element of surprise.” Porsche chimed in.
Johan was making notes in his notepad. I gave him a few moments to catch up before I continued.
“Plus, the massage therapist who treated Kara on Thursday shared with my therapist that Kara was excited about getting even with someone or exposing something. No names.” I waited for him to write that down.
“After our massages, we sat in the lounge around the fire and Porsche gossiped with an older couple who had another tidbit.” I motioned for Porsche to relay her information.
“Well, apparently the man heard from a poker player last night...” At Johan’s raised eyebrows and obvious doubt about the source, she stopped. “Okay, I know that sounds convoluted, but it’s no worse than third hand through the therapist grapevine. So anyway, the man shared he saw Leona with that Chris guy, the one suing Kara. He said Chris was pretty close to Leona and cozy. Maybe he is her lover and he got away from his wife for a few moments.”
Johan stopped taking notes, “I just wish all these people would’ve come to the police when they heard or saw things concerning this case.”
I didn’t know what to say so I took another bite of my sandwich. My theory was people would gossip over things that might be salacious or odd, but they wouldn’t consider it criminal or important enough to report to the police. We lapsed into silence as we all devoted our energy to eating.
We each finished in record time and the uncomfortable silence had stretched long enough.
“Okay guys, I’m going to my room and Skype with family.” I didn’t want to say I would be devoting my time to internet research on the suspects. Johan may not appreciate the assistance. I also wanted to consult with my original investigative assistants, my neighbors at Mountain Shadows.
I stood up only to see the young man, Justin, at the entryway looking around. I sat back down and shifted so Johan blocked any view of me.
“What...?” Porsche started but saw Justin looking around. “Is that the kid who is crushing on you?” She had a wicked twinkle in her eyes.
“Don’t you dare call him over here, I’ll never forgive you...and his future therapist visits will be on your head.” My whisper didn’t come out as lethal as I planned.
Johan moved to turn around and look, but I grabbed his arm. “Aren’t you supposed to protect and aid those in need? Then don’t turn around or move. I am not going to trample that boy’s ego.” I sounded desperate. Okay, maybe I was a little.
He turned to Porsche, “How old is this kid?”
“Oh, fifteen or sixteen.” She guessed.
Johan chuckled, “His ego will be hurt for a little while until a girl his age strikes his fancy and then you will be a memory he dreams of when he’s having his mid-life crisis years from now.” That was good news for Justin and left me feeling... replaceable.
Justin finally gave up and left. He was determined; I’d give him that. I waited another minute and left the restaurant. To avoid Justin, I sprinted up the grand staircase like dogs were chasing me and skidded to a halt to show my identification to the hall monitor.
In my room, I put on some decaf coffee to brew and turned on my laptop. I settled in and had just entered Preston the realtor to Google when my Skype popped up. I know I was supposed to be chatting with family, but I wasn’t telling Detective Larson I was doing some internet investigating.
My neighbor Nathan’s aged face appeared, filling the screen as he was too close to the web camera. Nathan was a retired doctor with long white hair usually tied back in a ponytail.
“Hey, young lady, glad I caught you...” He began
“You’re too close, don’t you know how to do this?” I could hear the disembodied voice of my other neighbor Delores. “See where I’m pointing ya ole goat. That’s your big nose filling the camera. Sit back, don’t give the girl a view of your nose hairs.” She continued to mutter in the background.
He backed away but only slightly. “Domineering Delores is on my case as you can hear.” He smiled a tobacco-stained grin.
Auburn shorthaired Delores began shouldering him over, “Move your old bones over so I can chat with her too. Don’t hog the camera.” She was a regular at Skyping with her grandchildren. Beverly managed to get both of them in the camera frame.
“We’re glad to catch you, dear. We heard a news report that the local realtor Kara Caine died in Vail. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” Her eyebrows were raised in question. I guess the police couldn’t keep it out of the news for long with all the resort guests talking to family and friends.
“Ummm, yes and no. She was staying here but I really didn’t know her.” Although they had been my original Baker Street Irregulars last fall without even realizing that’s what they were, I didn’t want to dance around the truth and I wasn’t sure how much I was allowed to share.
“Oh dear, Julie is holding out on us. Do you believe that?” Nathan shook his head.
“She knows more than she’s sharing, I can see it in her eyes.” Delores always thought she could read people... okay, she thought she could read me. She was usually correct. I don’t know how she does it either.
“You think you’re so smart, but just maybe you’re wrong.” Nathan tossed out the challenge.
“Look guys, it’s an ongoing investigation...” I probably shouldn’t have said that.
“See, told you.”
“Bet we can help.” Nathan was quick to add.