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After that, it was blessedly quiet. I had gotten my fill of quarreling guests and happily delved back into the wonderful, deadly, world of Agatha Christie until it was time to get ready for dinner.
Since dinner had sounded like a pretty fancy affair, I put on my black dress and some simple jewelry and headed back downstairs to join the others. I was relieved to hear the sound of laughter when I walked out on the porch. Apparently, everyone had lightened up and was prepared to be on their best behavior for the dinner that Grace had clearly put some effort into planning. Even Scott appeared to be behaving himself.
The porch was lit up with candles as the sun set and the table was laden with food—side dishes of every type imaginable. There were servers hovering in the wings, waiting for us all to settle before the main course was brought out. We all sat down where our place cards told us to go and Grace started us off with a toast. “To friendship,” she said with a warm smile to everyone as we all took a sip of our champagne.
Grace added, “We have a variety of food here, hopefully something for everyone. For the meat lovers, the main course is a London broil with herb butter. For the vegetarians among us, there are grilled bruschetta portobello mushrooms and eggplant cannelloni. There should be enough of everything for the London broil folks to have both.”
I said genuinely, “Grace, this is fantastic. Thanks so much.”
She waved her hand, dismissing my compliment with a smile. “It’s my pleasure. I was so looking forward to this and had fun figuring out the menu.”
The servers quickly came around, dipping in front of us as they proffered various dishes for us to help ourselves from. The food was melt-in-your-mouth good and the view was just as fabulous as the sun set behind the mountains, creating a color palette that rivaled the changing leaves and reflected pinks and purples on the still water of the lake.
Luna, next to me, gave a contented sigh. “I could get used to this.”
I grinned at her. “We might have chosen the wrong profession if we’re aspiring to this lifestyle.”
“Totally,” said Luna with a snort. “It’s just a good thing I like books more than I like . . . all this.” She gave a wave of her hand to encompass everything around her.
Felicity was on my other side and struck up a polite conversation with me about the library.
“I hate to admit it, but I haven’t been much of a reader.” She grimaced. “I feel like it makes me sound stupid to say it. But in the last few years, whenever I’ve tried to pick up a novel, I just couldn’t focus on it. I kept feeling like there was something else I needed to be doing. I’d end up reading the same paragraph over and over again before I just totally gave up and went back to my spreadsheets.”
I said, “Were you only trying to read fiction, then?” She nodded her head and I added, “You might find it easier to read nonfiction, instead. There are a lot that are very popular with our readers who are big in business that you might enjoy. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg is one that a lot of businesswomen have enjoyed.”
Felicity brightened at this. “I didn’t even think about that. The people I’ve spoken with, whenever they recommend a book, they’re always talking about fiction bestsellers.”
“Nonfiction might be a better match for you right now,” I said. “I could email you some recommendations, if you’d like.”
She immediately fished out her phone and sent me her contact information via text.
I said, “We also have a book club at the library that focuses a lot on nonfiction.”
“Could you send me the info on that, too?” asked Felicity.
Roz grinned down the table. “I hear Ann talking about work. Remember, we’re supposed to be taking a break here.”
Kelly snorted. “As if you take many breaks, yourself, Roz. You know you love your job just as much as Ann does.”
“And me!” piped up Luna, raising a hand.
“What is it that you do, Roz?” I asked. I felt like she or Luna had told me at some point but I couldn’t remember.
“I’m a nurse,” said Roz. “And Kelly’s right—I love it. The patients are usually great and I like that I’m helping people.”
Kelly said, “What I couldn’t handle about your job—well, actually, there are plenty of things I couldn’t handle—is the shift you work. I’d never be able to function. And here you are during normal hours and you seem perfectly fine.”
“I’ve just gotten used to it.” She glanced around and filled everyone in. “It’s a 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift, but it’s only for three days in a row and then I get four days off. It’s easier to adjust to it that way.”
Everyone continued with pleasant conversation and eating until finally we’d all reached a stopping point.
Luna said, “That was so good, but if I keep eating, someone is going to have to roll me away from the table.”
Grace said, “Is anyone up for a swim? It might be a good way to work off some of the food we just ate. And I like to have a little exercise in the evenings.”
“Won’t it be too chilly to swim?” asked Kyle, raising an eyebrow.
“The pool is actually indoors,” said Grace. “And we can bring our drinks with us. It should be really relaxing.”
Everyone agreed and went up to change clothes. Fifteen minutes later, we were all gathered around the pool. The pool room was just as elegant as the screen porch had been. One of the walls was stone, the ceiling and other three walls were glass so, as you swam, you could look up at the moon and stars or across to the mountains and lake. There was a cabinet full of soft, thick towels and white robes in the corner of the large room. And there was a full bar with champagne bottles in ice waiting for us.
Luna leaned over and said to me, “I don’t know about you, but I’m way too full to exercise right now.”
“I’m the same way. I couldn’t seem to stop filling my plate,” I said wryly. “Do you want to exercise first thing tomorrow, instead? That’s usually a better time for me, anyway.”
Luna nodded. “Before everyone gets up? Maybe six or six-thirty?”
Grace overheard what we were saying and nodded. “The pool temperature is always set really warm, too, so it won’t be a shock to your system going in that early. Or, if it is, you can always warm up over there.” She pointed to a hot tub, which I hadn’t even noticed when I came in.
Luna grinned. “I may not be able to exercise now, but sitting in a hot tub sounds right up my alley.”
“Mine, too,” chimed in Roz and the three of us made our way over to the large tub. Grace hit a couple of buttons and the hot tub’s lights came on and the water bubbled up.
“Once again,” breathed Luna, “I could get used to this.”
The three of us chatted a little, but were mostly just enjoying the warm water, which was working wonders on my tight muscles. When the jets, which were on a timer, cut off, I could hear the unwelcome sounds of nearby quarreling. I glanced over and saw Scott and Kelly engaged in another heated argument at the side of the pool.
Roz groaned. “I think I’m ready for those jets to turn on again. What’s Scott done this time?”
Luna shrugged. “I didn’t see it. Guessing it’s the same thing. Scott’s drinking too much and being obnoxious.”
This time, though, whatever Scott had said or done seemed to have a ‘final straw’ aspect about it.
“I’m getting out of here,” said Kelly. “I’m not going to subject myself or the rest of the group to this anymore.”
Grace shook her head. “Please stay put, Kelly. You shouldn’t be driving a car. None of us should.”
“Who said I was going to drive?” demanded Kelly, giving Grace an impatient look. “I’m walking. Anybody want to come? There’s a band playing at the club. It’s just a short walk. Live music, booze, and lakefront views.”
“I’ll go,” said Roz quickly.
“Sorry, I think I’m starting to wind down,” Felicity demurred. The rest of us shook our heads.
Scott snorted and Kelly rolled her eyes. She and Roz left on foot around the side of the house toward the road.
Scott was acting as if he couldn’t possibly care less that Kelly was leaving. “Now the party can really kick off,” he said with a lopsided grin.
Felicity stood up and said, “Sorry, but I’m going to bow out. Maybe I had too much sun today, but I’m exhausted. I’m going to head upstairs and turn in early. Thanks for everything, Grace.” She turned and left.
The sudden disappearance of nearly everyone in the party was starting to resemble the Agatha Christie I was reading. And then there were none, for sure.
Scott looked over at Kyle, who’d been quietly watching everything unfold. He said in a mocking tone, “You look so disapproving, Kyle. What’s wrong?”
Kyle said coldly, “You know what’s wrong. You’re being rude and thoughtless to the other guests and to Grace, who’s set all this up.”
Scott turned and looked pointedly at Grace. “Grace isn’t exactly the paragon of virtue she appears to be. Are you, Grace?”
Grace’s expression was icy as she stared at Scott.
Scott gave a short laugh. “Besides, it takes two to argue. Why isn’t anybody complaining about Kelly?”
“Because you’re the one instigating the arguments,” said Kyle.
Scott shrugged. “Time to go for a swim. Maybe the rest of you should do the same and give yourselves a chance to cool off.” He dove into the water and started swimming laps.
Grace gave me an apologetic look. “Ann, I’m so sorry. You came here to relax for the weekend and it’s been pretty stressful.”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve really enjoyed myself. It’s beautiful out here. And you don’t have anything to apologize for—you can’t control what your guests do.”
“If only she could,” said Kyle glumly.
Grace smiled at me. “I really appreciate it, Ann.”
Although I was dying to retreat upstairs myself, I felt like I shouldn’t desert Grace yet. She had put a lot of time into this party and I didn’t want to just abandon her. So Luna and I hung out for an hour or more—listening to music, reading, and hanging out with everyone.
Then we heard the front door through the open pool door. “Kelly? Roz?” Grace called out.
Roz came toward us with a sheepish smile. “Just Roz. Kelly was . . . overserved at the club. I just dropped her off back home.”
Scott gave a dark chuckle and Roz gave him a cold look. She pressed her lips tightly closed as if forcing words back.
Scott, however, didn’t seem quite as prudent. “Still trying to protect her, Roz? I don’t think anybody else thinks I’m so awful.” He hiccupped at this and weaved unsteadily at the side of the pool.
“Yeah, because you’re such a catch. Forgetting birthdays, picking fights.” Roz shrugged. She headed to the bar next to the pool and poured herself a large glass of champagne which she drank quickly.
Luna raised her eyebrows as Roz poured herself another glass and quickly downed it. It made me wince. Champagne hits the bloodstream fast because of the bubbles. And the only hangover I’ve ever had was from a very small amount of it.
Roz continued: “All the two of you do is torture each other. You need to break it off. I keep telling Kelly that, but she won’t listen, so maybe you need to be the one to do it. You’re making each other totally miserable and that kind of stress can’t be good for your health.”
“Says Nurse Nancy,” drawled Scott. He poured himself another drink of champagne. “I’ll just have to drown my sorrows. Alcohol is good for relieving stress, too.”
Roz shook her head. “I’m sorry, Grace, but I’m heading upstairs, too. I’ve got a splitting headache. Brought on by you-know-who.”
Grace frowned. “Can I get you some ibuprofen or an aspirin?”
“Thanks, but I brought some with me. I thought I might have a hangover.” She gave a short laugh. “It’s more of a Scott-induced migraine. I’ll be fine, though.”
I said, “Just the same, though, it’s been a really full day. I think I might turn in early. Luna and I are talking about having an early-morning swim and I’ll sleep through my alarm if I don’t get to bed.”
Luna quickly added, “Me, too. But it’s been fun today, Grace, really. We appreciate the invitation.”
Kyle said, “I’m going to hang out for a while down here and catch up with Grace. After I grab myself a beer.”
“There’s champagne over there,” said Grace.
Kyle grimaced. “I think I’d better stick with something weaker, but thanks.”
Luna and I gathered our stuff together and headed upstairs.
Luna said in a library whisper, “This party has gotten weird. I’ve never seen Scott like this before. Usually he’s pretty easy-going and fun to be with.”
“That’s hard to imagine right now,” I said dryly.
“Anyway, it was nice of you to make Grace feel better. I feel bad she’s put a lot of time and money into this party and Scott seems determined to ruin it.”
I stopped in front of my room and said, “He can’t do that. Besides, he might be fine now that Kelly has left. Most of the conflict was between those two, after all. He’s got to be better tomorrow morning, anyway, after he’s had a good night’s sleep and before he starts drinking for the day. Tomorrow will probably be much smoother.”
“You’re setting your alarm for tomorrow?” asked Luna.
“I’ve already set it. I’ll meet you at the pool,” I said.
After I’d undressed and gotten ready for bed, I could still hear voices and someone had turned on some music. Maybe Roz or Felicity had gone back to the pool. I pulled out the pair of earplugs I always travel with and plugged up my ears. With all the sounds silenced, I quickly fell into a deep sleep until my alarm went off the next morning.
I got up and put on my suit, then headed downstairs to the pool. Luna hadn’t made it down yet, apparently, so I did a few light stretches in preparation for the swim.
Then I decided to go ahead and get in the pool and get adjusted to the water temperature, although Grace had assured us it would feel warm. As I walked to the edge of the pool, my blood suddenly ran cold as I saw a body floating face down in the water.