Seductive Suspect

Victor’s bright smile never wavered. “Mr. Steele, why don’t you tell us about your latest film project out in Hollywood? I’m sure it’s fascinating.”

Someone at the other end of the table cleared his throat and started talking about the fictional movie his character directed. While listening for any important bits, I took the opportunity to study the other people I’d be spending the weekend with. Mr. Steele was a clean-cut, average-looking guy who played his role well enough. Next to him sat a thin, lanky man with shaggy hair whose hunched posture prevented me from getting a good look at his face and made me wonder what he was hiding. The third male guest towered over the people around him with his bulky frame. Light hair, buzzed short, contrasted with ruddy cheeks, and he gulped his drink in between asking loud, enthusiastic questions.

Victor set a plate down in front of me and whisked away the lid to reveal prime rib with mashed potatoes and mixedvegetables. Not bad at all. I cut into my meat and turned my focus to the women at the table.

The mousy woman across from me nibbled at a green bean. Maybe she looks more like a rabbit, I thought, especially with the fur collar on her dress. A redhead in a tight blouse, whose vivid hair color most likely came from a bottle, took a sip of wine, her lashes fluttering behind black rimmed glasses. The last guest sat with her back stiff and hands folded as she waited for her food. Her long blonde ponytail and pert nose gave off the impression of cheery youth, but something about her posture and how she stared at each person who spoke told me she had no interest in making friends. Whatever the reward for solving the mystery, she came here to win.

We gradually slipped into our assigned roles during our meal. I answered any questions posed to me with an airy giggle and a tale of Stella’s latest caper. I didn’t know if it was possible to fly over the entire state of Nebraska in a hot air balloon, but it sounded fun when I said it, and no one doubted me. Whenever a lull in the conversation slowed down our game, Victor interjected to keep us going.

I tried to take note of everything I heard and get a clearer image of the characters around me, paying more attention to the stories they told instead of keeping their aliases straight. Ponytail alluded to being some sort of anthropologist or explorer. Shaggy portrayed a reclusive writer venturing out of his home for the first time in years. Big Guy seemed eager to share everything about his fictitious life, while Rabbit and Redhead acted more reticent and coy.

Once everyone finished dinner, the three staff members led us to a large room in the rear of the lodge. The vast library rivaled the size of my apartment. Leather armchairs and sofas formed a sitting area in one half near tall bookcases, and the other side held a pool table and an ornate chess set. The soundof a torrential downpour sluiced through the heavy curtains. In the dining room, the house had muffled the thunder, but here, it rattled the windows and floor like we were in the center of the storm.

“Please, make yourselves comfortable,” Victor said. “I will need some time to prepare this evening’s organized activities, but Babette is available to serve you in the meantime.”

Carrying my wineglass, I took a seat on one of the couches. Colonel Mandrake sat beside me, leaving no more than a few inches between us. Rabbit, Shaggy, and Ponytail joined us, each selecting one of the armchairs, while the others ambled over to the pool table.

Another boom of thunder caused the overhead lights to flicker.

Rabbit glanced upward, and her nose twitched. “That’s not good,” she murmured.

On the opposite side of the room, Big Guy let out a roar of laughter. “Hope this place has plenty of flashlights. Though I bet I can beat all of you in the dark!”

Ponytail sniffed. “In the jungles of Africa, we didn’t even have electricity.”

I had to admire her commitment to not breaking character. “Africa is one area of the world I haven’t been to yet,” I said. “Maybe I’ll ask my father to organize a safari for me sometime soon.”

She shot me a withering look. “It’s no place for trifling games. Don’t you think you’d have more fun somewhere else?”

“Hey, now.” The colonel leaned forward. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to expand your horizons, see new things.”

“I’m glad someone understands.” I turned toward him, assuming he’d offer more enjoyable conversation than the humorless Ponytail. “And what about you, Colonel? I’m sure you’ve seen all sorts of exciting places during your service.”

He chuckled. “Always searching for your next thrill, aren’t you, Miss Harrington?”

I crossed my legs and inched closer to him. “You already know me so well.”

“And I can’t wait to learn more.” He patted my knee, letting his hand linger for a moment.

Ponytail rolled her eyes but said nothing further.

Babette approached our little group and stood in front of Shaggy. “Another glass of cabernet sauvignon, monsieur?”

His gaze traveled from her stiletto heels, over her fishnet stockings, up to the hem of her short, fluffy skirt. I tried not to giggle at how she mangled the pronunciation of the wine.

“Sure, thanks,” he said. “I mean,merci.”

The billiard balls clattered together, followed by a whoop of victory. “Told you I’d win!” Big Guy grinned. “All right, who’s in for the next round?”

“I’ll play.” Ponytail stood up and beckoned to Rabbit. “Come on, let’s go.”

Before I continued my flirtatious game with the colonel, I saw I’d reached the bottom of my glass of cabernet. I searched for Babette, but she stood on the far side of the room, delivering a drink to Mr. Steele. “I guess I need to get my own refill.” I pushed up off the sofa. “Can I get you anything while I’m over there?”

He rose to his feet. “I should be the one fetching you a drink.”

“I don’t mind.”

Those charming dimples appeared again. “I’ll go with you anyway. Might as well see the whole selection of what they’re offering here.”