Chapter 10
I couldn’t help stealing a few glances at Charles’s face as we left a jewelry shop where he’d had me pick out a set of earrings for the gala.
He glowed with a warm energy that pulled me in like a moth to the flame.
His eyes smiled when he was happy, and hope flickered in my heart.
I wanted to let it take over, but I reined it in, keeping it safely within my control.
“I feel a little guilty about all these things you’re buying.” Though I’d never been great with money, I knew he had to be paying for these items on his own. I doubted a ballgown and silver teardrop earrings could count as legitimate tax write-offs.
Charles’s eyes widened like a puppy’s. “Oh, no. Don’t feel guilty. That’s the last thing I’d want. You’re helping me and my company out. I certainly couldn’t face this alone, and who knows who I can trust at Haven Corp at the moment.”
“I wish I knew.”
We stopped again at the caramelized-almond vendor. “Do you think your aunt would like these?”
“I’m sure she would. She’s got a sweet tooth like my mom.” Growing up in a bakery wasn’t always the healthiest environment. Though in a way it was good. To me, healthier foods were such a treat, and I never saw sweets as anything special.
Charles clapped his hands together and ordered another sleeve of warm almonds. “Will you give these to her?”
I couldn’t help flirting just a little. “I don’t know, Charles. She already thinks you’re pretty perfect. This might just seal the deal.”
He chuckled. “Works for me.”
Me too, Charles.
The warmth and magic of finding the perfect ballgown faded as Charles and I crossed a busy intersection toward the hotel.
For a moment, I’d forgotten we were involved in a murder investigation, but the massive limestone building reminded me.
The setting sun left the New York streets freezing, and I rubbed my gloved hands together.
With all its grandeur, The Grand Lakes Hotel wasn't as welcoming as it had been the first time I’d arrived.
Buildings cast long shadows across the roads, but the city lights had yet to come on.
People passed us in the street without so much as a hello.
I fought the impulse to grab Charles’s hand and convince him to run away from all of it with me.
“We have an hour before dinner. You and your aunt have helped so much, maybe you two should go get facials or something—my treat. You know—to thank her for her help.” Charles gestured gallantly toward the rotating doors, indicating I should enter the building first. So, I stepped through the carousel door and into the lobby.
Instrumental music, a massive fireplace with a roaring fire, and the thirty-foot tree encircled by the grand staircase all combined to create an idyllic facade.
I wanted to enjoy it, but part of my heart still held back.
It was too perfect to be true. As a small-town girl who worked in a bakery for years, I felt like I’d be more in my place with the housekeepers than at the side of Haven Corp’s CEO.
Like Cinderella at the ball, I only had a little time before I’d have to return to reality in Austen Heights.
Charles stepped up behind me, continuing the conversation. “What do you say? Take your aunt to the spa for a bit?”
“Oh, yes. That’s a great idea. If she’s anything like my mother, her nerves are probably shot. She’d love it. Thank you.” It would be good to focus on someone other than myself for a while, and enjoying the moment might help me disengage from my self-pity party.
We crossed the lobby, and Charles pushed the elevator buttons for us. “Perfect—it would ease my conscience a bit if you both enjoyed some of your time here. Just charge everything to the room.”
Of course, Aunt Penny happily joined me at the Great Lakes Radiance Spa. Tranquil music filled the essential oil-scented air. A well-groomed gentleman in a white tunic with tan pants greeted us at the counter. “Good evening ladies, what can we tempt you with today? Massage, mud bath?”
“Oh, I was thinking of a pedicure,” I answered and looked at my Aunt Penny.
“And I’d like a facial.” She smiled and shrugged at me. “Hey, it’s free.”
Apparently, spending Charles’s money thrilled her.
“I suppose you’re right. Thank you again for coming to help.” I wrapped my arm around my aunt and gave her a squeeze.
We wore fluffy white robes and reclined in leather easy chairs, silently agreeing not to talk about the case until the facial technician finished her magic.
For our pedicures, I chose some delicate silvery-pink polish, and Aunt Penny chose a wild mix of purple and yellow stripes and gold glitter. It fit her personality beautifully.
“So,” I whispered to her as we waited for our toenails to dry. “Did you learn anything interesting while you were, um… out and about?”
“Oh, Jane,” she raised an eyebrow at me. “Do you know me at all? Of course I did!”
“Well?”
“Well, it was hard to get close to the staff at first. I mean, you really need to work at a place to get the inside scoop. So I said to myself, why not? And I marched up to the concierge desk and asked for an application.” A smug smile formed on her lips.
“You didn’t?” I gaped.
“Of course I did. So they asked me about my work experience and all this—well, I figured I could tell them anything I wanted since I wasn’t actually applying for the job.”
“Oh, Aunt Penny!”
“I mean, I wore my disguise. So I told them I was new to the city, and I’d come from a cute little town where I’d owned a bed-and-breakfast for years…
told them my name was Penelope Pleasant.
They loved me.” She flicked her wrist as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“So the concierge—a lady named Belinda, said I had to meet the manager. Of course, you’d already pointed him out to me before I had my disguise, so I worried he’d recognize me.
So to be safe, I used my Southern accent—I’m quite good at it, you know. ”
“Are you?” I shook my head, not sure I wanted to know where she was going with this story.
In a perfect Southern drawl, she continued, “Well, the manager wanted to see me right away since I was obviously so qualified, and they’re looking for an assistant manager right now. I should have brought a resume.”
“But you’re not really quali… never mind. So how did the interview go?”
“Well, I got the job.” She smiled like a peacock.
“Penelope Pleasant got the job,” I chided.
“She nailed it.” Aunt Penny chuckled to herself. “So I told the manager the only way I’d accept the job was if he assured me everyone working here was trustworthy.”
I saw where the story was going, and clapped my hands over my face, shaking my head. “You spoke to a lot of people, didn’t you?”
She resumed her Southern accent. “Well, yes, sweetheart. You know I did. I patted the manager’s arm and said, ‘Why don’t you let me try my hand at the desk and you can judge for yourself’.”
“And just like that, you were an employee for the afternoon?” I shook my head.
“Just like that.” She overdramatically batted her eyelids and fluffed her hair.
“Of course, it’s a good thing I took some acting classes in college.
I smiled sweetly at the hotel guests and agreed to whatever they wanted.
The manager said I was doing superbly, so he let me continue.
Then I chatted with everyone at the desk and listened to their conversations.
Did you know there’s another entrance into the suite?
You know how they have those connecting double doors on the main floor.
Well, there should be another set upstairs. ”
“I didn’t think of that as a possibility. But if that’s the case, whoever got in would have to be a hotel employee, right?” I furrowed my brow.
“You’d think so, but it turns out someone from Haven Corp had booked the adjoining suite under Armond’s name.
It’s the suite on the opposite side from yours.
In fact, whoever booked it may have done so to access the Charles’s suite with no one knowing.
” Aunt Penny folded her arms across her chest and smiled smugly.
“Wow, I’m impressed, Aunt Penny. That creates a problem for me, though. Because if Armond and Lance were arguing about the extra room charge, then it might rule out Lance as a suspect.” I drummed my fingertips on my chair’s armrest.
“I don’t follow.” Aunt Penny shook her head.
“Well, if Lance put a fake charge under Armond’s name, he wouldn’t go get mad at Armond about it. He would want to keep it as quiet as possible. Right?” Charles did go check on my reservations when I arrived at the hotel, but I don’t think he would have put it under Armond’s name.
“I suppose you’re right. But it’s possible Armond found out about the extra room booked under his name. Could Armond have started the argument with Lance?” Aunt Penny raised an eyebrow. “Someone needs to hear Lance’s side of this argument.”
“Maybe—” I wanted to sneak a truth serum into everyone’s drinks, but was hesitant to take such extreme actions. The nail technician lingered within earshot. “Maybe we should go test out the sauna before we leave the spa?”
Surprise crossed Aunt Penny’s face, so I subtly gestured toward the nosy technician.
“You know, that is a splendid idea. I could use a good detox.” She flashed her brilliant smile.
Still outfitted in our fluffy white robes and flip-flops, we walked around to the poolside of the spa to the corner where the wooden steam sauna sat. A few other people lounged in chairs at the far end of the pool. But we had the hot tub and sauna side to ourselves.
“This is exactly what I needed.” I leaned my head back on the oak bench and let myself melt into my seat. After being out in the freezing autumn air, the sauna was heavenly.
“What were we talking about?” Aunt Penny asked. She rested back with her eyes closed, already drenched in the steam.
“Oh, right. I know we’re not supposed to use truth serums without consent. But to catch a killer, it would be worth the risk.” My nerves must’ve been getting to me because I swear I saw a shadow move across the window on the sauna door.
“Hmm. I may have something at my place you could try. It’s not a truth serum, but it is a dishonesty inhibitor, which is almost as good,” Aunt Penny mumbled, eyes still closed.
“But…”
“I know you worry about your family’s reputation. But no one will know, and there aren’t any real consequences if we’re caught." Her body shook as she chuckled to herself.
“If you’re okay with my using it, I might like to try it tomorrow.” The idea made my stomach clench. I never broke or even bent the rules.
“Of course. We’ll need to go get it.”
“Thanks for sticking your neck out there and investigating, Aunt Penny,” I said.
“Oh sweetie, you know you’re like a daughter to me.” She smiled. “Plus, if your mother found out I’d left you on your own to investigate a murder, she’d kill me. You are her pride and joy.”
“She loves all of us,” I said, shaking my finger at my aunt. I didn’t believe my parents had favorites.
“Of course she does. But you haven’t given her nearly as much stress as your sisters.”
“But Mom thrives on drama.” I closed my eyes, listening to the gentle hum of the radiator. “I’m not always as fun as my sisters.”
“Your mom’s an extrovert like Lydia and Kitty.” Aunt Penny patted my hand. “Introverts never completely make sense to extroverts. They can’t see the full depth of your mind.”
“No, they can’t.” I pulled in a breath of humidified air.
“You know,” Aunt Penny ventured. “I wonder if the security footage will show us who snuck in or out of the room Armond booked. Or the killer could have entered through the doors that adjoins your rooms.”
“Unfortunately, the police said there weren’t any clues from the hall security camera.” I frowned because my door was visible when they watched the feed.
“You don’t think an invisibility potion?” Aunt Penny asked.
“They still would have seen the doors open on the footage. But nobody entered or left the other rooms aside from me going into my suite.” I shuddered to think of being alone in an enormous suite. “I’m getting pretty hot. Ready to head back?”
I stood to open the sauna door, ready for a breath of fresh air. I turned the handle and pushed to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. Nausea washed over me.
“The door is stuck!”