Chapter Twenty-Four

Tonight’s the night all of this will end,” Kate said to Livvy. She had stopped by the library to return some books on ghosts and hauntings, pro and con, that Paul had borrowed. As soon as Livvy saw her, she said it was break time and suggested they grab a cup of tea at the diner.

They sat at a booth by the window—the same window where Kate had seen Nicolette on the phone and put two and two together about who was on the other end.

“I’m almost positive that Newt Keller is hiding out, and I think I know where. It’s time to confront him.” She lowered her voice. “I don’t care if it takes all night; I’m going to wait for him and see that justice is done.”

“Where?”

She smiled. “He’s been under our noses the whole time. I’m convinced he’s at the Hamilton Springs.”

Livvy grew even more alarmed. “Oh, Kate!”

Kate nodded. “I can’t wait any longer, Liv. I have to find out the truth.”

“Then at least call the sheriff and let him know what you’re up to.”

“I tried to get through to him this afternoon. I told Skip what I’d discovered. He said he’d pass along the information.”

LuAnne stopped by their table. “Sorry for the wait, girls. We’re slammed today, what with the hotel out of commission and all. What can I do you for?”

“A slice of lemon-meringue pie for me,” Livvy said. “And tea.”

“Make that two,” Kate said.

LuAnne came back with a teapot, then bent conspiratorially toward them and dropped her voice. “Did you hear what happened at the hotel this morning?”

“Something new?” Kate couldn’t imagine what else was going on at the Hamilton Springs. The previous week’s supposed haunting was still the talk of the town.

“Well, I overheard some talk just now—and I won’t mention which table I was listening to—but the word is that the former Ms. Keller is hoppin’ mad because for five years she’s been trying to win Mr. Keller back. Apparently, she thought she’d almost convinced him to give their relationship another try when he disappeared, and now she’s blaming Susannah for losin’ him again.”

“They’re divorced,” Kate said, incredulous. It made sense now that Jacqueline Keller flew in from Europe to search for him. She had the financial well-being of the company on her shoulders. What didn’t make sense was why she would want such an ogre back. Then again, one woman’s ogre was often another woman’s prince. Apparently, Nicolette Pascal also thought him a prince.

“And that’s not all,” LuAnne continued. “She’s ordered everyone in the network to move out of the hotel until this ‘issue is settled’—her words, according to my sources. And apparently, they were glad to go.”

“Where will they go?”

LuAnne waggled her fingers. “Motels and hotels outside town. Apparently, they’ve decided to shoot those off-location shots in the meantime.”

Kate sipped her tea as a howling blast of wind rattled some tree branches outside.

The door to the diner burst opened with a bang, and Renee Lambert, umbrella unfurled, arrived like Mary Poppins on another gust of wind. She slipped off her coat, spotted Livvy and Kate, and headed toward them, wrapping her umbrella on the way. The long strap of Kisses’ tote was slung over one shoulder.

“I saw your car outside, Kate, and thought I’d stop by with my news.”

“About Kisses?”

“Turns out there isn’t a ghost living with us after all.”

Kate avoided exchanging glances with Livvy. “What did the vet say was the problem?”

“I added some new health foods to his diet recently, and apparently, well, to put it delicately, the new food caused him to be, well, you know...”

“Ah yes,” Kate said, stifling a grin. “I can imagine.”

“Flatulent?” Livvy filled in, ever the wordsmith.

Kate couldn’t resist any longer. She shot Livvy a smile, and the twitch at the corner of her friend’s mouth—just before she covered it with her napkin—said that giggles were threatening to erupt.

“Yes,” Renee sighed. “My poor Little Umpkins.”

Kate’s cell chirped from deep in her handbag. LuAnne returned to the kitchen to put in their order, and Kate dug for the phone.

She found it, flipped it open, then bit her lip. “Oh no,” she breathed, her heart sinking.

“What is it?” Livvy asked.

Kate read the text message, then handed the phone to Livvy. Renee sidled closer, glanced around the room, lowered her voice, then read it aloud over Livvy’s shoulder. “Be certain you are being watched,” she whispered. “Stop your investigation now or you will be sorry.”

“Well, if that doesn’t take the cake,” Renee said, turning pale. She dropped into the booth across from Kate.

“Oh, Kate,” Livvy said, handing back the phone.

“One thing I know. Threats aren’t going to stop me from trying to find Newt. It’s the only way we can get to the bottom of this.”

Livvy sat back. “I’m worried about all of this, Kate. You shouldn’t be alone at that deserted hotel trying to find him.”

Kate thought about Livvy’s words. It was one thing to put herself in harm’s way, but in light of the most recent text message, she couldn’t ask Livvy to do the same. Besides, what if her theory was wrong?

“I’ve got it covered, Livvy.”

Renee had remained uncharacteristically silent through Kate’s interchange with Livvy. When LuAnne appeared a few minutes later with two plates of lemon-meringue pie, Renee stood abruptly, collected the tote with snoring Kisses, and said she had some errands to run. She left without saying good-bye and nearly forgot to grab her coat and umbrella.