“Sorry, I just wanted some coffee,” Tara said without looking at me.
“Of course. Please help yourself.” I moved away from the counter and motioned toward the percolator and mugs. “I think I’ll just go check on a few things.”
As she walked away, I noticed how pale and drawn she looked.Haunted, I thought.Which isn’t surprising, considering her father’s untimely passing.I frowned as I pondered Jennifer Delamont as a prime suspect in Lincoln’s murder. If that turned out to be true, it would be tragic, not just for Jennifer—and Lincoln, of course—but also for their daughter.
After stepping out into the hall, I pressed my fingertips against my temples for a moment. I might suspect everyone at Chapters, but I couldn’t allow those thoughts to cloud my mind. Yes, it was possible that Jennifer had stabbed her philandering husband, but it was also possible that the killer was someone else.Someone like Scott, I thought, glancing over at the open door to the dining room.Someone Lincoln cheated or swindled.
I sighed. Apparently, Lincoln had been the type of person a lot of people might have wanted dead. Which wasn’t going to make discovering his killer a walk on the beach.
Chapter Ten
“Can I help?”
I peered through the laddered back of the chair I was holding. Todd Rowley stood in the hall, the front door standing open behind him. “Yes, thanks. If you could close the door and then grab a couple of the chairs from the dining room, that would be great. I’m afraid there isn’t enough seating in the library for this evening’s book discussion.”
“Kelly will be along in few minutes. She forgot her notes for tonight and went back to the yacht for them.” Todd shut the front door before lifting a chair with each hand. “I’m surprised you expect a good crowd after last night. Honestly, one reason Kelly and I decided to join in was because we were afraid no one would show up.”
My hands still gripping the chair, I blew a lock of hair away from my eyes. “It is a bit surprising, but everyone except Jennifer and Tara agreed to attend. I guess they wanted something to take their minds off yesterday’s tragedy.”
“Or to check out the other guests, looking for any telltale signs that one of them is the murderer.” Todd strode past me, the chairs swinging in his grip. “Library, you said?”
“Yes, thanks. Just drop them anywhere. I’ll arrange the seating later,” I said, following him.
“I hope you don’t mind that we decided to move back to the yacht.” Todd set down the chairs and turned to face me. “It’s nothing against you or your hospitality.”
I set down my own chair before replying. “Don’t worry, I totally understand. Honestly, I think if I could stay somewhere else for a few days, I would.”
“It must have been quite a shock.” Todd’s gaze was as sympathetic as his tone.
“Yes, murders don’t occur here every day.” I offered him a wan smile.
“Ironic to have it happen during an event honoring a murder-mystery author.” Todd looked over my shoulder. “Oh hello, sweetheart. Find your notes?”
I turned toward the door, where Kelly Rowley stood, clutching a notebook to her chest.
“Yes, just where I left them. Hello, Charlotte. I hope you aren’t feeling too bad today. Yesterday was so horrible.”
Kelly’s honey-blonde hair was hanging loose, making her thin face look more angular than usual. I examined the younger woman, noticing her extreme pallor and chapped lips.Of course, I reasoned,that’s only natural. Not everyone has dealt with a shocking death before.“I hope you recovered your cloak in all the confusion. Your costume was so lovely. I’d hate to think you a lost part of it.”
Kelly blinked rapidly. “My cloak? Oh yes, I got it. Thanks.” She used both hands to sweep her hair behind her shoulders. “Anyway, as Todd may have told you, he and I decided toparticipate in any events you host this week.” Kelly moved to her husband’s side. “I mean, we really doubt that Mr. Delamont was killed by one of the staff or a guest. It could’ve just as easily been someone from the outside.”
Todd slipped his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Yes, we talked about it, and the truth is, Delamont was at the carriage house, which is hidden from view if you’re in the main house or even on the patio. Anyone could’ve snuck into that section of the backyard without the rest of us noticing.” He tightened his arm around Kelly. “That’s partially why we were determined to be here tonight—to show that we don’t suspect any of the staff or guests.”
“Thanks for that. But I worry that a few others won’t be quite so understanding.” I tipped my head and looked over the entrepreneur and his wife. “I suppose you’ve heard Tara Delamont’s claim that I’m the killer?”
Todd waved his free hand as if shooing away a bothersome insect. “Yes, but we dismissed it as the ravings of a young girl who’d just received a terrible shock. I’m sure she’ll apologize once the investigation clears you.”
“I don’t even care about that. As you say, she was probably in shock.” I scooted one of the chairs across the floor and placed it at the edge of the Oriental rug that covered the center of the room. “I just hope the authorities discover what actually happened, sooner rather than later.”
“I’m sure they will,” Todd said.
Kelly turned aside, staring at one of the bookshelves. “I don’t know. Lots of murder cases go unsolved, you know. It’s not like in books.”
“Yes, life is never quite so neat and tidy.” I dusted off my hands. “Thanks again for the help, but I won’t keep you. I’m arranging the seating now just to have it done, but the discussion won’t start for”—I glanced at my wristwatch—“another hour and a half.”
The Rowleys offered further assistance with setting up the room, but I waved them off. “No, you’ve done enough. You are guests, after all. Please—feel free to stop by the kitchen if you’d like a drink of any kind. Alicia is putting together refreshments for later, but I’m sure she’d be happy to open a bottle of wine or whatever else you might like. If you just want to relax, the front-porch rockers are available, or you can use the parlor.”
After Todd and Kelly left, I took a moment to lean against the desk, taking a deep breath to shake off a surge of panic. Every time I spoke to any the guests, my mind questioned their innocence, and although it seemed unlikely that either of the Rowleys could’ve been involved, I still couldn’t strike them off my suspect list. Which made talking about the murder with them unnerving.
