CHAPTER 3

  “Well, it started out pleasant.” Suzie pulled the room door shut behind her and started down the hall. “But Esme doesn’t seem pleased that we brought Pilot along.”

  “That’s for sure.” Mary pressed the button on the elevator. “It’s a pet-friendly place, so I’m not sure why. They gave us a room with the enclosed rooftop terrace, especially because we have a dog.”

  “Maybe she’s just overwhelmed with all the guests coming. Who knows?” Suzie said.

  The doors to the elevator slid open.

  As they both stepped inside, a woman in the back presented a nervous smile.

  “Hi, there.” Mary’s tone became cheerful. “I’m Mary. This is my friend Suzie. We run a B&B, Dune House.”

  “Tanya. I do some consulting for one of the smaller companies, so I tagged along as their guest, to get more information about the businesses here.” Tanya lowered her voice. “Honestly, I thought it would be more vacation than work.”

  She quickly averted her gaze.

  Mary noted that the woman barely cracked a smile. “It’s not really your kind of thing?”

  “Not really. It’s the first time I’ve been to an event like this.” Tanya looked at her again. “But it comes with a free getaway, so I might as well try and enjoy it, right?”

  “Right.” Suzie leaned against the back of the elevator beside her and smiled. “You might be surprised. Some of my most boring assignments turned into adventures.”

  “You’re a journalist?” Tanya’s voice lifted with interest.

  “I was, a long time ago,” Suzie said. “I became an interior designer, and now I run a bed and breakfast. I guess by the time you get to your fifties, you’ve tried out a few different things.”

  “That’s quite a change,” Tanya said.

  “Well, life has a way of surprising you.” Mary grinned. “I never expected to be running a B&B with my best friend, but I’m so glad I am.”

  “Me, too.” Suzie held the elevator doors for them both. “Hopefully, you’ll enjoy your time here more than you expect to, Tanya.”

  “Thanks. I hope so.” Tanya walked off in the opposite direction of the crowd that flowed into the dining room.

  “If she wants to get more information, she’s going the wrong way.” Mary watched her go, then joined the flow of people.

  “True. Maybe she’s hoping to get more information from people one-on-one in a quiet environment. She probably doesn’t like the crowds.” Suzie scrunched up her nose, as they made their way into the busy dining room. “Just like me.”

  “Don’t worry, we don’t have to stay long.” Mary rubbed her arm as she smiled. “And look, there’s cheese!” She pointed to the hors d’oeuvres spread out on a large buffet-style table at the front of the room.

  “Okay, I do like cheese.” Suzie followed her with an excited smile.

  A man apparently had the same idea as he reached for a wedge of cheese and knocked right into Suzie’s hand before she could grab any.

  “Oh, sorry about that.” He laughed as he pulled his hand back quickly. “I guess great minds think alike.”

  “Oh no, it was all me. I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since we left for the airport this morning.” Suzie picked up a piece of cheese, then offered a cracker to Mary.

  “Thanks.” Mary took it, then looked over at the man. “I’m Mary, and this is Suzie. We run Dune House, a B&B.”

  “Oh, it’s so nice to meet you both! I’m Rick.” He reached across the charcuterie board and offered his hand. “My wife, Pippa, and I own Old York Inn, just over the line in Pennsylvania, a few hours from here.”

  “Oh, so you didn’t have to travel too far.” Mary smiled as she shook his hand.

  “Not much, no.” The woman who walked up beside him brushed her chocolate-brown hair back over her shoulder. “But ours feels far more remote. It’s mostly surrounded by woods. And woods. And more woods.” She heaved an exasperated sigh.

  “And a big, beautiful lake, honey. Don’t forget the lake.” Rick’s eyes lit up as he jumped into describing it. “It has the clearest water you’ve ever seen, and we offer all kinds of water sports and adventures. Do you have anything like that at Dune House?” He narrowed his eyes. “Wait, Dune House? As in a sand dune? Are you on the beach?”

  “We are.” Pride filled Mary’s voice. “So, we do have water sports nearby, too.” She laughed.

  “The beach is definitely one of the biggest selling points about our B&B.” Suzie stacked a slice of cheese with ham on a cracker, then topped it with half a grape. “But I like to think that the hospitality we provide helps, too.” She popped it into her mouth.

  “I would love, love, love to live on a beach.” Pippa gasped and pressed her hand against her chest. “The sunrises? I can only imagine how beautiful they must be. Oh, Rick, that’s what we should do. We should move to a beach house.”

  “Pippa, let’s not talk about this now.” The gleam vanished from Rick’s eyes as he shot his wife a stern look. “We’re here to win an award, remember?”

  “Yes, I remember.” Pippa’s tone took on a harder edge. “Which will make it even easier to ask for more when we sell the inn.”

  “I never said I wanted to do that.” Rick’s voice raised an octave as his stern look became a full glare.

  “Okay, we’re just going to leave you to it.” Suzie grabbed on to Mary’s arm and steered her away from the angry couple. “I think they have some things they need to work out.”

  “Yes, I think so.” Mary glanced back over her shoulder. She didn’t miss those kinds of arguments with her ex-husband. There was never a winner. Only tension and animosity. “It’s so crowded in here. I think I’m going to step outside and check out the grounds until the presentations are ready.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Suzie followed Mary through a door that led from the dining room into a lounge with overstuffed furniture, a few small bistro tables, and a well-stocked bar with a few stools.

  Mary slipped through a rear door that led out onto a large patio with additional seating. She continued past it, drawn to the gardens that surrounded the property.

  “Look at this, Suzie.” Mary slowed as she spotted a stone cherub statue nestled in a rosebush. “Isn’t it lovely?”

  “Aw, it’s sweet. Romantic.” Suzie brushed her fingertips across the petals. “Everything’s still blooming.”

  “It’s beautiful.” Mary followed Suzie toward the next path.

  CHAPTER 4

  After exploring the variety of flowers and foliage that had been carefully manicured throughout, Mary turned back toward the Primrose Inn.

  “We should probably head back. We don’t want to miss any of the presentations, right?” Mary asked.

  “I suppose.” Suzie offered a pretend moan but followed her.

  “No, you need to listen to me!” a shout carried across the gardens to reach them. “It’s been years, Rick! Years! You promised me that things would change. Now’s the time!”

  “Stop it! Keep your voice down!” a male voice retorted, just as loudly.

  Suzie and Mary exchanged a concerned look, then began walking in the direction of the voices, which appeared to be coming from behind a large stone fountain. Even with the water flowing, they could easily be heard.

  “Don’t tell me to keep my voice down. This is it! Do you hear me? I need a break!” The woman’s voice got even louder.

  “You don’t even care why we’re here, Pippa. I’m here to win that award, not think about selling. That’s the problem. You don’t care enough. You’re being so selfish!” Rick snapped.

  “Selfish?” Pippa shouted.

  Suzie grabbed Mary’s arm and pulled her back, just before they would have rounded the fountain.

  “I think it might be best if we don’t interrupt,” Suzie said.

  “Are you sure?” Mary’s face tightened with concern.

  “It’s just an argument.” Suzie patted her back in a gentle, soothing motion. “I’m sure they want privacy.”

  Just then, Pippa marched right past them in the direction of the inn.

  “I guess it’s over, then.” Mary smiled with relief, then joined Suzie as she walked through the patio door and into the lounge.

  When they moved to the meeting room, the crowd thinned some in the larger space.

  The waiters walked around offering drinks, as the guests mingled, waiting for the presentations to start.

  Suzie had just accepted a glass of sparkling apple cider, when a woman bumped into her elbow. She managed to keep the glass in her hand, though a bit of the golden liquid sloshed onto her sleeve.

  “So sorry about that.” The woman fretted as she offered to get a napkin.

  “Don’t worry, it’ll dry.” Suzie smiled.

  “You’re so kind. I’m Jocelyn. I own the travel booking website Next Stop Getaways.”

  Suzie almost coughed on the sip of cider she’d just taken.

  “Did you say Next Stop Getaways?” Suzie looked at the woman with renewed interest.

  “Yes.” Jocelyn gave a throaty laugh and a slight eye roll, as if she knew exactly how important that name was in the travel industry.

  “Wow, it’s nice to meet you.” Suzie offered her hand. “I’ve been trying to get my B&B featured on your site for ages.”

  “Ah, I see.” Jocelyn gave her hand a quick shake. “Unfortunately, our algorithm makes those choices. It’s based on how long you’ve been in business, your reviews, and the amenities you offer. Anyone can get listed on the site, but our customers trust us because only the best of the best make it into our featured recommendations. I’m here to make sure that whoever wins the award gets one of those spots.”

  Suzie’s heart pounded at the thought. Yes, Dune House did good business. But it could be better. And being featured on Next Stop Getaways would make a big difference. She hadn’t been that interested in winning, but now, she wondered if they had a shot.

  “Attention, everyone.” Rick walked up to the podium at the center of the room with a remote in his hand. He aimed it at the projector that faced the wall behind him, and smiled. “Please, allow me to introduce you to Adventure Escapes. It’s a new way to travel. How many times have you booked an exciting getaway, only to find that many of those adventures that were advertised are nothing more than a petting zoo or a rainy hillside?”

  He gestured to the images that began to fill the projector screen that hung from the ceiling.

  “At our inn, adventure is guaranteed, because we’re the ones creating it. You don’t even have to leave our property to go on a death-defying zip-line adventure.”

  A video began to play. It flashed quick scenes of the zip line. Guests laughed as they clipped on helmets, one woman waved nervously as her harness was tightened. The screen cut to a man launching off the platform, then to a woman gliding above the treetops, her arms spread wide. The final shot showed a line of people sailing across the valley one after another, their cheers carrying over the woods.

  “In the past, travelers chose their accommodations based on proximity to tourist hot spots. But by creating these opportunities for your guests you can ensure that your business will be their primary destination. It will help even the playing field if you don’t happen to be located near a big attraction.”

  As Rick continued, and played more videos of the different activities, Suzie’s mind began to swirl with possibilities. Yes, they had the ocean, which was great, but there were plenty of things they could do to draw more interest.

  The presentations wrapped up with pitches for elevated dining, live music acts, and one long-winded segment on air-conditioned mattresses. As the final presenter left the stage, Suzie and Mary stepped outside for some fresh air.

  “Wow, that was much longer than I expected.” Mary rubbed the back of her neck. “There were some interesting ideas, though.”

  “I thought Rick’s presentation was great. I was going to ask him some questions, but he disappeared right after it,” Suzie said. “Come on, there’s a few hours before dinner. Let’s take a quick walk and stretch our legs. We can see what trails are around, then come back for Pilot.”

  “Good idea.” Mary started walking toward the woods.

  “This place is just stunning.” Suzie began to relax.

  After wandering long enough to find a path they thought Pilot would enjoy, they turned back toward the inn to get him.

  As they approached, Mary pointed to a cluster of people who’d gathered off to the side of the inn. “What’s going on over there?”

  Suzie heard a few shouts. “We should check it out.”

  Mary had already begun hurrying over.

  “Oh! It’s Rick!” she gasped, peering past the tangle of people.

  A man’s body lay sprawled across the soft, lush grass. From the angle of his limbs, her first thought was that he might have fallen. But then she saw the fire poker jutting from his chest, and any idea of an accident vanished.

  Mary turned to Suzie, her eyes wide. “He’s been murdered!”

  CHAPTER 5

  “He fell!” Esme said in disbelief as she looked from Rick’s body up to the top of the inn, where she pointed. “I saw him.”

  Suzie’s gaze shot upward, following Esme’s line of sight, along the castle-like building to the turret at the very top.

  Despite the many windows between the ground and the roofline, the turret held Suzie’s attention.

  She resisted the urge to shoo everyone back. She couldn’t exactly declare herself in charge of the crime scene.

  She soon realized she wouldn’t have to, as loud sirens were approaching. She scanned the crowd, wondering who’d made the call.

  She spotted two uniformed officers rushing toward them, followed by a man in plain clothes, flashing a badge as he strode past them. Clearly, he was the detective in charge. Moments later, paramedics arrived as well.

  Suzie caught sight of Pippa heading toward them from the opposite direction.

  “That’s his wife,” Esme told the officers. They hurried over to block Pippa from reaching the scene.

  “What’s happened?” Pippa looked between the officers. “What’s going on? I’ve been looking for my husband everywhere, then I saw everyone gathered over here. I figured he must be here, too.”

  The detective walked over and introduced himself as Detective Blake Warren. Then he spoke softly to Pippa. Suzie tried to catch his words, but she couldn’t hear them.

  He guided Pippa over to the body.

  The shriek that escaped Pippa as she looked at her husband silenced everyone.

  “Rick! Rick! Who did this to him?” Pippa cried out.

  Mary’s heart raced as she tried to piece together what might have happened, and how to fix it. Only, there was no way to fix it. She couldn’t turn back time and stop this from happening.

  The detective’s questions drew her focus.

  “Did anyone see this happen?” he asked.

  Mary noticed the careful way he chose his words as his gaze traveled briefly over Pippa who was being evaluated by the paramedics.

  Esme stepped forward. “I just saw him fall.”

  Another woman spoke up. “I walked outside just as he hit the ground.”

  Mary recognized her as Tanya, the consultant they had met in the elevator. However, as she thought back to the presentations, she couldn’t recall seeing her there.

  “You know him?” The detective made a note on his phone.

  “We all do. He just gave a presentation a short time ago,” Suzie said.

  The detective began questioning the other people in the crowd. Mary opened her arms to Suzie.

  As they hugged, a loud voice boomed above the chaotic conversations that had grown in urgency and volume.

  “Attention, everyone! Attention!” Martha waved to them all, then did her best to direct them away from the crime scene. “Please, if you’ll join us in the lounge, we’d like to make an announcement to all the guests.”

  Mary hesitated. She wanted to stay right there to find out more about what had happened.

  “She’s right to clear the area, and louder than I could have ever expected.” Suzie guided Mary toward the building. “The sooner the detective can have a look at the crime scene without distractions, the better.”

  They were swept up by the rush of the crowd into the lounge.

  “Thank you all for gathering here.” Martha clasped her hands together in front of her and looked over each of the shocked guests. “I’m so terribly sorry. This special event has turned into a tragedy, and I want all of you to know that we’ll do our very best to make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible. The police have asked me to inform you that no one’s to leave until they’ve had a chance to speak with them.”

  A few discontented murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  “I know it’s not ideal. After what’s just happened, I’m sure you’re eager to go back to your rooms. Until the police find out more, they’re asking everyone to stay at the inn.” Martha gestured around her. “I know this will be difficult, so we’d like to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. All drinks and meals will be free, and all the activities we’d planned will go on, as long as the police approve them. Chef Antonio is preparing a lovely dinner. If anyone’s hungry, it will be available shortly. The police officers will be coming around to speak with everyone.”

  The room buzzed with uneasy chatter as people moved toward the lounge seating, waiting their turn with the officers.

  After Suzie and Mary had given an officer their statements, Mary ordered sparkling water for herself and Suzie, then turned to watch the group of people milling around them as the officers continued to make their way through the crowd. They’d all participated in an icebreaker exercise between presentations, where they’d introduced themselves and shared something interesting about their property, but she’d already lost track of most of their names.