Seductive Suspect

“The lodge and all its amenities are available to you. Just…” Victor’s brow creased and he rubbed the side of his head. “Like I said, be careful.”

Since I’d grown tired of being scrutinized while wearing nothing but a bathrobe, I pushed away from the table and stood. “I’m going to get dressed. If anyone else is going back upstairs, we can travel together and hope for the best.”

Isabel and Dylan followed me. I opened the door and was greeted once again by Mary’s cold, dead eyes. My stomach churned, but before the wave of revulsion fully settled, the front door to the lodge opened with a bang. I yelped in surprise.

Paul stepped inside, his clothes drenched. He shut the door, and a puddle formed beneath him, the edge creeping toward us across the wooden tiles. He wiped the moisture from his face with both hands and grimaced.

“My car won’t start.”

Chapter Three

While I changed out of my bathrobe into more appropriate clothing, I reviewed what I had learned about the other guests. Last night had been a game, but now my life depended on these details. I concentrated on remembering their real names and thought about the stories they’d told. Nothing stood out to me as unusual or questionable. All of us seemed like normal, professional thirtysomethings who’d accepted the opportunity to get away for the weekend and have some fun.

Except one of us was a murderer.

Since I no longer played the role of a rich heiress, I didn’t spend much time on my hair and makeup. I threw on slacks and a plain green blouse and left my room. When I got to the top of the stairs, Adam came through the front door. After he hung up his wet coat on a hook beside an enormous bronze bear, I met his gaze from across the foyer. He shook his head, answering my unasked question. I’d had a feeling none of our cars were currently operable.

Descending the steps, I noted someone had moved Mary’s body. I breathed a sigh of relief, and then felt another pang of guilt over her death.

Adam met me near the entrance to the dining room. “Whoever’s doing this thought of everything,” he said. “The weather is bad luck, but they definitely had a plan to keep us trapped here for as long as possible.”

I nodded. “I’m not going to even bother checking my car. And I’ll bet whoever is behind this sabotaged their own vehicle, too.”

“You’re probably right.” Facing me, he reached for my shoulder, his fingertips brushing my sleeve. “Are you okay? You looked a little green this morning after…what happened.”

“I won’t lie, I am a bit rattled.” I exhaled. “But no more or less than anyone else, I’m sure, save for the obvious exceptions.Thanks, though.”

A spread of fruits, bagels, and pastries greeted us when we entered, along with most of the other guests. Ruth came through the kitchen door, carrying a tray of croissants.

“Why don’t you sit and eat with us?” Isabel said. “Brittany and Victor, too. With everything going on, you shouldn’t be expected to wait on us.”

“How very kind of you.” She set the tray on the table and smoothed her apron. “Let me get another cup of tea, and I’ll be right in. Can I get anyone some tea or coffee?”

“I’ll take a cup of coffee,” Dylan said. “Cream, two sugars.”

Laura made a disgusted noise. “Wejustsaid she doesn’t have to wait on us. You can’t fix your own coffee?”

“She offered!”

Though I agreed with Laura, I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to add to the argument or call more attention to myself.

Paul bounded through the door, dressed in a dry set of clothes, and plopped in his chair. “What did I miss?”

“Not much.” Laura rolled her eyes.

We engaged in bland small talk while we ate breakfast. Paul asked Isabel if her firm ever handled medical malpractice cases and got a curt negative reply. Questions about Dylan’s website received a similar response. When Ruth returned, followed by the other staff members, Laura inquired about their history working at the lodge. The rest of us picked at our meals and made vague complaints about the weather. My stomach hadn’t settled yet, but I choked down half a bagel and a glass of orange juice.

Once everyone had finished eating, Victor ushered us into the library, where we sat on the sofas and armchairs. The open curtains offered a view of the surrounding forest. The thick green foliage and swaying branches appeared so serene, I almost forgot what had transpired in this room the previous night.Jeremy’s body had also been taken elsewhere, and a rug covered the bloodstains. I briefly wondered about any evidence that may have been disturbed and then remembered we were stuck here by ourselves.

“I must say, I don’t know what our best course of action is.” The butler stroked his chin. “Like I said earlier, we need to be careful. But before I leave you to your own devices, it might be worthwhile to review any information we have about these unfortunate deaths.”

“What, you think whoever’s the killer is going to confess right now?” Dylan scoffed.

“Probably not. However, we might be able to eliminate some people from suspicion, or remember details pointing to a particular person.” Victor’s jaw tightened. “If we can solve the mystery, perhaps we can band together and stop this dangerous criminal.”

Adam leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s not like we have anything better to do. And I, for one, would like to walk out of here alive.” He tapped his fingers together. “Where do we start?”

“Let’s work backward,” he said. “Did anyone hear anything out of the ordinary this morning?”