Page 50 of Death By Llama
Oliver thought about it.“Some of the actors were here today.They booked a second night.I think they are—or were—planning to go to a theater performance in Southwest Harbor.I heard them talking about a small theater there that was doing a production of Mousetrap.I do know that a couple of them already left, heading back to Boston, but there were still at least three or four who decided to stay another night.”
“I would like a list.”
“Absolutely,” Oliver readily agreed.
“Do you know who was physically in the inn this afternoon?”Justin asked, making notes on a yellow legal pad.
Oliver thought about it for a moment.“Well, I know the one girl—I’m not sure what her name is—maybe Gemma—I can check registration.Anyway, I know she was here because I could hear her laugh.You can never miss her laugh.And I knew that Vance, the older gentleman, was here, but he had said something about going into town for lunch.And Daphne did go into town.I saw her leaving.”
“I saw her too,” I said.“She actually came to Steamy’s Pub.”
Justin made a note of that.“Do you have any idea what time that was?”
I pursed my lips, trying to recall.“Maybe around four.It had to have been around that time because George Sprague came in shortly after, and he always comes around four.”
“And did you see her leave?”Justin asked, as he made more notes.
“No.I was talking to Jimmy, then talking to Hannah in Jack’s stable, so I didn’t see her leave.But I’m sure Brandy or Dave saw her leave.”
Justin nodded, tapping the end of his pen against his pad of paper thoughtfully.
“I also have something you might want.”I dug in my jeans pocket to get the business card.I held it out to him.
Justin took it and inspected it.
“When did you find this?”
“I found it the night of the festival.By the rock wall.Basically right where Peanut fell.”
Justin inspected the card again.“So, we don’t really know when this message was passed along to the recipient.Or when they intended to meet.”
I shook my head.“But I do know that Nick was romantically involved with the co-owner of Opulent Occasions.And also with Daphne.”
Flipping through his notes, Justin found what he was looking for.“Ashley Wells?That’s who I have as the owner of Opulent Occasions.How do you know she was involved with Nick Grayson?”
“I saw them snogging in Bar Harbor today.”
Justin blinked.“That does seem pretty involved.”
“And I saw Nick and Daphne.”Oliver glanced at me, then used my phrasing.“Snogging during their stay here.”
Justin nodded.“Okay, that is interesting.”
“And while Daphne was at Steamy’s she made it clear that she knew about Ashley and she wasn’t pleased,” I told him.
Justin made a face, intrigued.He jotted down some notes.
After watching him log notes for a moment, I finally spoke up.“I assumed your questions mean you think Nick’s death might be suspicious.”
He looked up, his eyes flicking between me and Oliver.Finally, he let out a sigh.“You know I’m not supposed to share information with you.”
I had been prepared for that response.But he paused, studying me before exhaling again.
“But knowing how you are—and knowing you’re going to dig into this no matter what I tell you—then yes, I’ll say it.This looks suspicious.Two people going over a cliff within days of each other?That’s pretty darn suspicious.Not to mention, there are certain marks that don’t line up with the fall.”
I tilted my head curiously.“Marks?”
Justin nodded, then hesitated before continuing.“There’s bruising on his face and scratches.But based on how he landed on the rocks, I don’t see how they all happened in the fall.”
