Page 39 of Nightcaps at The Beach House Hotel

“It’s sad,” said Rhonda. “I’ve already talked to my kids about the danger of drugs. They don’t understand all about the deaths because of their ages; they simply know it’s bad for them.”

“Robbie’s at an age where we talk seriously about drugs killing people. His school is aware of any problems and is quick to report them.” After seeing what had happened to Everly, I wanted to cry at the thought of anyone in my family being caught up in addiction. Whether Everly killed herself on purpose or it happened because of her use, it was such a terrible, terrible waste.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A police car rolled through the gates.

I walked down the front stairs to greet the two officers inside. Living in a small town like Sabal, most policemen were known to us. Today was no exception. I spoke to Becka Santos and recognized her partner, Joe Bennett.

“Thank you both for coming quickly. The deceased person is in the Presidential Suite. Rhonda and I ask you to please not make a commotion when you go inside the hotel. We don’t want our other guests to know what’s going on.”

“I understand, Ann. We’ll park the car, and you can lead us to the person,” said Becka. “Who is it?”

“Everly Jansen. As sorry as we are for this to happen to her, we need to be careful about the hotel’s reputation. You know how she loved publicity.”

While they parked their car, I waited for them to join me. Drug use at the hotel hadn’t been much of an issue. We’d certainly never had anyone die from an overdose on the property.

Becka and Joe followed me into the hotel, and we walked quickly to the set of stairs leading to the Presidential Suite. A security guard stood at the bottom of the stairway and moved aside as we came closer.

When we got to the suite, Bernie greeted us at the entrance. “The medical examiner is on his way. Nothing has been touched.”

The officers went to the master bedroom where a security guard stood by.

“I need to go home and tell Darryl what has happened,” I said to Bernie, as Rhonda joined us.

“I’m sure you’ll be free to go after the officers take a statement from you,” said Bernie. “It’s a good thing Darryl is staying at your house, away from here. Maybe he can help us. We need to notify the family.”

“That’s another reason I need to talk to Darryl. He may know who to call,” I said.

“I’ll speak to Becka to see how they want to handle this,” said Bernie.

He left Rhonda and me alone.

“This is such a freakin’ mess,” said Rhonda. “Hopefully, they’ll wait to remove the body until most of our guests are busy at dinner.”

Becka and Joe returned.

“Things seem to be in order here,” said Becka. “We’ve put a call into our DVD officer. Drugs and Vice Division. In the meantime, we can take notes from you about what you saw when you arrived here.”

“The drug officer may also want to talk to you, too,” said Joe. “But we can get as many of the facts as we can right now.”

“Let’s sit in the living room,” I said. “We’ll be more comfortable.”

Rhonda and I took seats on one couch while Becka and Joe sat on another, facing us.

“Okay, start at the beginning,” said Becka.

Rhonda and I took turns telling about our arrival at the Suite and each moment following the discovery of Everly’s body, assuring them we’d touched nothing.

“I did lean over to place my hand in front of Everly’s nose and mouth but there was no breath and it looked like there wouldn’t be any,” I said, hunching my shoulders as a shiver traveled down my back. I’d never forget what I saw. It was an ugly death.

“Did you go into the bathroom?” asked Joe.

Rhonda shook her head. “Neither of us did. But Bernie and a security guard did. Annie and I just wanted to get out of there.”

“Can you tell us who Everly had been seeing?” Becka asked.

“No. She certainly liked publicity, but I don’t recall any visitors,” I said.

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