CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A police car rolled through the gates.
I walked down the front stairs to greet the two officers inside. Living in a small town like Sabal, most policemen were known to us. Today was no exception. I spoke to Becka Santos and recognized her partner, Joe Bennett.
“Thank you both for coming quickly. The deceased person is in the Presidential Suite. Rhonda and I ask you to please not make a commotion when you go inside the hotel. We don’t want our other guests to know what’s going on.”
“I understand, Ann. We’ll park the car, and you can lead us to the person,” said Becka. “Who is it?”
“Everly Jansen. As sorry as we are for this to happen to her, we need to be careful about the hotel’s reputation. You know how she loved publicity.”
While they parked their car, I waited for them to join me. Drug use at the hotel hadn’t been much of an issue. We’d certainly never had anyone die from an overdose on the property.
Becka and Joe followed me into the hotel, and we walked quickly to the set of stairs leading to the Presidential Suite. A security guard stood at the bottom of the stairway and moved aside as we came closer.
When we got to the suite, Bernie greeted us at the entrance. “The medical examiner is on his way. Nothing has been touched.”
The officers went to the master bedroom where a security guard stood by.
“I need to go home and tell Darryl what has happened,” I said to Bernie, as Rhonda joined us.
“I’m sure you’ll be free to go after the officers take a statement from you,” said Bernie. “It’s a good thing Darryl is staying at your house, away from here. Maybe he can help us. We need to notify the family.”
“That’s another reason I need to talk to Darryl. He may know who to call,” I said.
“I’ll speak to Becka to see how they want to handle this,” said Bernie.
He left Rhonda and me alone.
“This is such a freakin’ mess,” said Rhonda. “Hopefully, they’ll wait to remove the body until most of our guests are busy at dinner.”
Becka and Joe returned.
“Things seem to be in order here,” said Becka. “We’ve put a call into our DVD officer. Drugs and Vice Division. In the meantime, we can take notes from you about what you saw when you arrived here.”
“The drug officer may also want to talk to you, too,” said Joe. “But we can get as many of the facts as we can right now.”
“Let’s sit in the living room,” I said. “We’ll be more comfortable.”
Rhonda and I took seats on one couch while Becka and Joe sat on another, facing us.
“Okay, start at the beginning,” said Becka.
Rhonda and I took turns telling about our arrival at the Suite and each moment following the discovery of Everly’s body, assuring them we’d touched nothing.
“I did lean over to place my hand in front of Everly’s nose and mouth but there was no breath and it looked like there wouldn’t be any,” I said, hunching my shoulders as a shiver traveled down my back. I’d never forget what I saw. It was an ugly death.
“Did you go into the bathroom?” asked Joe.
Rhonda shook her head. “Neither of us did. But Bernie and a security guard did. Annie and I just wanted to get out of there.”
“Can you tell us who Everly had been seeing?” Becka asked.
“No. She certainly liked publicity, but I don’t recall any visitors,” I said.
Rhonda and I looked at one another as we both realized something.
“What is it?” asked Becka.
“Brock Goodwin mentioned that he was going to see Everly today,” I said.
“He made a big deal out of being photographed with her,” said Rhonda. “He told us they were helping one another. He’s such a liar that it’s hard to know what’s real with him.”
“We both saw his photograph with Everly in the newspaper,” Joe said to Becka.
“We’ll inform the DVD officer, and he can take it from there,” said Becka.
“Is it possible for me to go home?” I asked. “I have guests staying with me.” For now, I’d keep Darryl’s whereabouts private. But if one of the officers needed to talk to him, I’d let them know.
“You’re free to go. I think we have all the information we need for now,” said Becka. “I’m sure you have things to take care of.”
I went to find Bernie to tell him I was leaving, and a DVD officer was arriving. After giving him a complete update, I headed home. Rhonda would stay behind with Bernie.
###
When I arrived home, Darryl and Abbie were sitting on the lanai reading while Robbie sprawled on the floor, playing a video game on his iPad. Liana had left for her college class.
“Hi, Mom! Liana made us stuff for a taco dinner like she usually does on class night,” said Robbie.
“Perfect,” I said, relieved I wouldn’t have to worry about that. When Vaughn was home tomorrow, he’d be glad to grill some steaks.
“That sounds wonderful,” said Abbie. “Something different.”
“Liana uses her grandmother’s recipes, and her food is delicious.” I grew somber as I said to Darryl, “I need to speak to you in private. Will you join me in the living room?”
“Sure. Is everything all right?” he said, getting to his feet.
“No,” I managed to say and held back a sob.
We walked into the living room, and I indicated Darryl should sit on the couch.
I took a seat nearby and faced him. “I have some terrible news. We found Everly dead in her hotel room. She apparently died from a drug overdose. It’s being investigated now.”
Darryl closed his eyes and let out a long breath. “What a damn waste. I’m sorry it came to this. I can’t say I’m surprised though. It was one reason we broke up. She liked to party, and I didn’t. Still don’t. Not with drugs.”
I shook my head sadly. “I’m sorry. I really am. I hope this doesn’t bring you more trouble.”
He gave me an unhappy look. “Thank you.”
“I’m offering you a place here for as long as you’d like,” I said. “You certainly don’t want to be at the hotel.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Darryl’s eyes filled. “It’s all unnecessary. She wouldn’t get help.”
“Do you know who should be notified?” I asked him.
“Everly’s sister, Veronika, lives in New York City. We’ve stayed in touch. I’ll call her,” said Darryl. “You can give the number to whoever needs it.”
“I’m sure newspeople will want to get a statement from you.”
“Okay. I’ll call my agent and have him make a statement for me. I don’t want him or anyone else to know where I’m staying.”
“I think it’s best. Now, let’s go speak to Abbie. She’s welcome to stay here until Tina returns.” I couldn’t help smiling. “Things seem to be going well with your training sessions.”
He returned my smile. “I can’t say enough good things about it. Abbie’s a taskmaster, but I’ve never been happier to do the work.”
“It’s certainly paying off,” I said. “You must feel great about that.”
“I do. I’ve never felt better,” Darryl said, rising. “Abbie’s agreed to continue working with me after her contract is over with Tina.”
“That’s nice,” I said, forcing myself not to overreact. Maybe Rhonda would have reason to celebrate their relationship sooner than we thought. That conversation would come at a later time. Now, we had to deal with Everly.
When we got to the lanai, I said to Robbie, “Please come here. I need to talk to you about something, and then we’ll give Darryl and Abbie some time alone.”
Robbie glanced at Darryl and got to his feet.
Cindy followed us into Robbie’s room.
I explained that a friend of Darryl’s had died and that while he was staying with us, we had to give him privacy.
Robbie nodded. “Okay.”
I hugged him. He was such a good kid.
Rhonda called on my cell. “How’s it going there?”
“Okay. I told Darryl, and he wasn’t surprised. Saddened, though. He’s going to call Everly’s sister in New York and tell her what’s happened. He’ll be staying at my house for the foreseeable future. And he doesn’t want anyone to know that.”
“I agree he should remain out of sight. I met with the drugs officer. He may want to talk to us tomorrow. He was very interested to learn about Brock’s interaction with Everly. I couldn’t think of anyone else who may have had contact with her. The housekeeping staff and front desk people will be interviewed and anyone else who might’ve seen anything.”
“Are you going home?” I asked her.
“Yes. I’m on my way. This has been one effing day. Thank God, Will has already fed the children. I need to relax with him and talk about rescheduling our vacation.”
“I don’t think it’ll take long for this situation to calm down,” I said. “It’s pretty obvious what happened. Where Everly got the drugs is a mystery that might be difficult to trace. Where does that leave Brock?”
“Hanging by his balls,” said Rhonda gleefully. She let out a hearty laugh. Thinking of all the rotten things Brock had tried to do to us in the past, I couldn’t help joining in. Maybe this time, he’d learn a lesson or two.