Page 49 of Death By Llama
“Cameron thought it would be a good idea to have some for the first responders,” I explained.
Oliver didn’t say much other than to make a slight face as he started mopping up the water I had spilled.I noticed he mopped a little more aggressively than necessary.I didn’t think it was because he was irritated about cleaning up my mess.
“Is everything okay with Henry?”I asked.
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
“Did you work through your fight?”I pressed further.
He stopped mopping and leaned on the handle.
“We sure did.We broke up.No more fight,” he said flatly.He began mopping again.
I stared at him for a moment.“Are—are you okay?”
He swiped the floor a couple more times, then leaned on the mop again.He sighed.“I’m fine.I knew it wasn’t working.He’s a good guy—but we just aren’t right for each other.”
I started to tell him I was feeling the same way about Cameron, but decided now wasn’t the time.A, because I didn’t want to take away from his moment.And B, especially because part of the reason why I was contemplating breaking up with Cameron was because I could even consider he might be a killer.Talking about one-upping.
“Of course, I’m upset,” he said, as he returned the mop to its place in the pantry.“Honestly, my bigger concern is that not only do I no longer have a boyfriend, I think it’s pretty safe to say I no longer have a job.”
I made a sympathetic face at him.Given the phone conversation I’d heard Cameron having, even if Oliver had stayed with Henry, I didn’t think he was going to have a job.Cameron sounded ready to sell The Captain’s Inn or just walk away from it, impressive wood and all.But I decided that this was not the time to say anything about that either.
“We’ll figure that out for you down the road.Right now, I guess we have to deal with what’s going on at the inn today.”
He nodded.“This whole grand opening sort of seems like it was cursed.”
“Isn’t there an old superstition in acting about if you play Santa, then you die young?”
“I thought that it was actors who played Jesus.Plus, Peanut wasn’t exactly a spring chicken.”
True.And I had a feeling that Nick was probably older than he claimed to be.He seemed like the type.As soon as I thought that, I immediately felt guilty.It wasn’t nice of me to think ill of the dead.But then again, that ship had already sailed.Nick gave no indication he was a nice guy in any way, although he certainly didn’t deserve to die.But I could see him having more than a few people who might have motivation to want him dead.
I shoved aside my conflicted opinions about the man and focused on the shelf with the french presses.If I was going to make coffee for everyone, I guess I’d better get to work.
I spotted a kettle on the stovetop and grabbed it to fill with water.As I was putting it on the burner to heat up, I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.I fully expected it to be Cameron looking for the coffee.
Instead, it was Justin.
“Hey,” he said.“Can I talk to you both for a bit?”
Oliver and I exchanged a look, then both nodded.
I just expected him to talk to us in the kitchen, but instead, he waved for us to follow him.He directed us to the dining room, where he had set up a command post with his computer, cell phone, and notebook.He gestured for us to take a seat at one of the tables.He settled across from us.
“Oliver, did you happen to hear or see anything this afternoon?Anything unusual?”
Oliver shook his head.“I was busy doing some paperwork in the office.I was also doing some of the housekeeping.I didn’t know anything was wrong until I heard a guest, Daphne, screaming.”
“You heard her?”Justin asked.
“Yes.I had the windows open in one of the rooms while I was changing the linens, so I could hear her when she found Nick.”
“But you didn’t hear a confrontation or hear Nick shout as he was falling?”
Oliver shook his head again.
“And do you know who was in the inn at the time of the incident?”
