Sarah knew that place very well. “So, to your knowledge, no one had any problems with her, past or present?”
Melody shook her head again but stopped mid-swing. “When she worked here last summer, she had some kind of problem. She wouldn’t talk about it, though.”
“She worked here?” That was news.
“Only for a few weeks.”
Sarah was reasonably sure that if this interview took much longer, the kid was going to twist her fingers right off. “If she wouldn’t talk about it, how did you know she had a problem? You noticed something different in her behavior?”
More lip-biting. “I sort of walked in on her with my dad once. She was upset. Crying.”
Sarah’s alert system kicked in full throttle. “Walked in where?”
“The office behind the desk.” Melody shrugged. “I asked my dad about it, and he said Valerie wouldn’t say what was bothering her. He told me not to bother her with it.” She stared at the floor. “I don’t think he was very happy that I interrupted. He was really worried about Valerie.”
Was this why the innkeeper was so rude to Sarah? Had tried to scare her off? He had a secret he didn’t want her prying into? Well, well. That certainly shed new light on his behavior.
“Did Valerie have something against your father?” That was about as close as she could get to asking if the two had been involved physically.
Another wag of her blond head. “I don’t think so. They usually got along fine. Valerie worked hard. My dad liked her. It was just that one time.”
“You’re sure there was no one at school who especially didn’t like Valerie.”
“Positive.”
“Not even the people who were up for awards and didn’t win because Valerie did.”
“Nobody ever said anything.”
“What about at church? Did she have any problems at church that you know of?”
Melody glanced anxiously at the door. “I should go before my parents come looking for me.”
“Bear with me, Melody,” Sarah pressed, knowing she was losing ground. “Anything you can tell me might make a big difference.”
Her shoulders lifted as if she intended to shrug but didn’t follow through. “She quit going to church, but I don’t know why.”
Sarah scrutinized her face, her eyes. She was telling the truth. “What about the reverend’s niece? Was she friends with Valerie?”
Melody frowned, shook her head. “I don’t think so. Tamara doesn’t really have any friends. Lately she’s been hanging out with Jerri Lynn.” She glanced at the door again. “I really gotta go.”
Sarah stood and smiled. “Thank you, Melody. If you think of anything else. be sure to let me know.”
Before Melody made it to the door, Sarah realized there were a couple of other questions she should ask. “What about Alicia? Did anyone have a grudge against her?” Clearly reluctant, Melody turned back to Sarah. “Not that I can think of.” She peered longingly at the door once more. “I’m gonna be in big trouble if I don’t get back downstairs.”
“One last question.” Sarah jerked her head toward the open drawer. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
The heat of embarrassment flooded the girl’s face. “I ...” She moistened her lips. “You’re from New York.” She shrugged. “I just wanted to see what kind of stuff ... clothes you had.”
Sarah could see a teenage girl doing that, though she wasn’t so sure this teenage girl was telling the truth. Particularly since her clothes were in thedresser, not the bedside table. “I hope you weren’t too disappointed. I’m not a good example of the latest fashion trends.”
“I”—Melody gestured to the door—“have to ... go.”
Sarah put her out of her misery. “Thanks for delivering my message.”
A quick nod and the girl was gone.
Sarah closed the door and locked it again.
