Scott set down the grinder. “I never paid for any events.”
“I know, but I’m pretty sure that neither Jennifer nor Tara Delamont will feel like joining us. You could take their place. We planned the refreshments for the number of guests, and we’ll be missing two.” I grimaced at the thought of Lincoln lying in some morgue. “No, three. So you’re welcome to join us.”
“I’ll think about that. I have read a bit of Tey. A while ago, but maybe I can remember enough to add one pithy comment to the discussion.”
“Frankly, I think your presence would be a welcome addition. It might balance out the dynamic between the lodgers and the locals.”
“Thanks, but you didn’t have to add the disclaimer.” Scott cast me a crooked grin. “I like to think I’m a welcome addition at any event.”
I stared down at my hands, which were clasped tightly at my waist. “Of course. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.”
“Don’t worry. I was just teasing you.” As Scott speared his eggs with his fork, the yolks pooled around the ruffled edges of the whites.
Like a halo.I shook my head at this fanciful thought. “I suppose I should get back to the kitchen. I do hope your day turns out much better than yesterday.”
“Not too hard to achieve,” Scott said, glancing up from his plate. “If anyone asks—like the police—I’ll be visiting a friend at the Maritime Museum today. He has some information that might prove useful for my book.”
“Okay.” I flashed him my practiced hostess smile before leaving the room.
Entering the kitchen, I was surprised to find Damian slouched against one of the counters.
“What are you doing here so bright and early?”
“I got called in by the cops. They wanted to ask me about some stupid coat and hat, and”—Damian shot a fierce glance at Alicia—“a missing kitchen knife.”
“And key,” Alicia muttered, without turning away from the sink.
“Right, those clothes they found out in the garden bin near the carriage house.” I kept my tone light, having no interest in enflaming the animosity brewing between Alicia and the young chef.
“Just as I did last night, I told them I left Chapters before that fellow was murdered,” Damian said. “Lots of people saw me storm off after that argument with Pete Nelson. Pretty sure that’s when Lincoln Delamont was still alive and kicking, so I don’t know why I’d be considered a suspect.”
Because you could easily have grabbed both that key and the knife, and you live close enough to sneak back without any difficulty.I bit my lower lip to prevent me from voicing those facts out loud.
Alicia turned around. “Don’t be silly. They have to check into you, same as the rest of us. Everyone who was here last night is a suspect.”
“Including me,” I said. “I’m sure I’ll be grilled again as well. It’s what the authorities have to do in these situations.”
“It still ticks me off.” Damian crossed his arms over his chest. “Why would I want to kill some stranger? It’s not like I knew the guy. You all had more interactions with him than I did. I only caught glimpses of him at dinner last night.”
As I examined Damian, I noticed the tension tightening his shoulders and jaw. “You never encountered him in Beaufort before? When he registered, Lincoln told me he’d made several previous visits. I thought, since you’ve temped in several restaurants in the area—”
“What? That I stabbed him because he sent a dish back one too many times?” As the words exploded from Damian’s lips, Alicia shot a questioning glance at me.
“Of course not. But I thought maybe you’d seen him somewhere, since you’ve worked so many different places.” I spoke in the soothing tone I’d perfected in dealing with hormonal teenagers. “If so, even if it’s something you only remember upon reflection, I think it would be better to tell the police that up front, rather than have them find out later.”
I didn’t add that I was suggesting this because I myself hadn’t mentioned Lincoln’s hints of blackmail. I’d have to deal with any fallout over my own omissions. I didn’t want Damian to face the same problem.
“I didn’t know the guy, okay?” Damian strode across the room and stared at the broken ice machine. “Sorry about this. Like I said, dock my pay to cover the repair.”
“Trust me, I will. The next time you chef for us.” I met Damian’s gaze and held it. “Yes, I will hire you again. Your talent overrules some of your bad behavior.” I raised one finger as he opened his mouth to reply. “Some. But don’t break anything of mine again or I might change my mind.”
“I promise to watch my temper in the future.” Damian cast Alicia a sharp glance as she snorted at this comment.
“Good. Because I want to work with you, but I can’t afford to replace kitchen appliances on a regular basis.”
“Cheaper to replace chefs.” Alicia turned away and made a great show of rattling the pan lids she’d pulled from the overhead rack.
The noise covered the sound of someone entering the kitchen from the hall.
