Page 84 of All You Want
Molly could have pushed Tami onto the body, then snuck back into the hotel, ran upstairs, and changed in the control room. Maybe what Tami saw was a witch all in black. The hard object prodding into her backside was the police baton.
We climb the stairs out of the basement, then take the service corridor through the kitchen and out the service entrance to the loading dock and dumpster area.
“Show me where the cat disappeared.” I run the flashlight beam along the wall where pallets are stacked.
“The corner behind the dumpster.”
I pick up the crime scene tape and wedge my way between a pile of pallets and the dumpster. I’m a big guy, so it’s hard for me to fit, but when I shine my flashlight, I notice one section of the wall is closer than the other section, indicating a narrow passageway.
“I think I found it.” I give the dumpster a shove to move it away from the wall. “There it is. It’s big enough for a man to get through, although he would have to bend over.”
“Can you get through?” Tami looks speculative.
I turn sideways and squeeze myself behind the dumpster, but when I get to the opening, I have to bend down. Bending down makes me bulkier, and since I have to go sideways, I can’t go further.
“Doesn’t look like I can, but it’s easy for a cat or a woman.”
“Not one with big breasts,” Tami observes. “Let me try. On second thought, Molly could definitely fit.”
“Right, so could Diana, even though she’s taller, her shoulders aren’t that wide.”
“What are you saying?” Tami gasps. “That the killer is Molly or Diana because they’re small enough to fit through a gap?”
“The security tapes don’t show anyone coming between the time Viola showed up and you. Which, according to Shane, makes you a suspect.”
“But if the killer came in and out through this little hole, they could have surprised Viola and then got away.” Tami shakes my arm. “Now you believe me? That someone else was here?”
I use my flashlight to peer into the gap. “No bloody footprints in there, but plenty where the body was found.”
“Maybe he changed clothes or was hiding inside the dumpster or he was dressed as a cook taking out the trash or he had another set of shoes stashed away, or…”
Her suppositions get more and more far-fetched as her breathing accelerates into full panic attack mode.
I switch off the flashlight and put a comforting hand on her shoulder and turn her to face me. “Maybe this is nothing. Usually, it’s the simplest explanation that’s correct. The killer was waiting for Viola because he or she told her to meet here at a certain time. He kills her, and then you come on the scene. He has no time to get away, so he hides behind the dumpster. Then when everyone else came by to contaminate the crime scene, he simply pretended to be in on the fun and games.”
“That’s gruesome.” Tami shudders. “It still could be anyone. I’ll have to review the pictures again.”
“The key is the person who sent the message inviting everyone to come to the crime scene and allowing the killer to get away.”
“Molly or Evan,” Tami mutters.
I don’t mention her, although Shane would definitely say Tami timed the message to go out after she hypothetically killed Viola.
I take pictures of the parallel walls and the gap created, as well as the position of the dumpster. “Just to be on the safe side, I’ll have Shane see if he can get through. Let’s go find him.”
We return to the hotel and find Neil rushing toward us. “One of the guests had a heart attack. I think it’s the mayor of your town.”
“Uncle Chip.” I run through the dining room and barge into the Pickaxe Polly Parlor where Chip was staying.
My uncle is lying on the floor with his shirt open and belt loosened, and Shane is giving him CPR.
“Is he okay?” I kneel over him.
“Paramedics are on their way,” Neil says. “It’s a good thing Officer Donnelly found him.”
“Todd, Todd.” My uncle coughs and wheezes. “You have to stop her. Diana. You have to stop her.”
“Uncle, relax. Help is coming.” I wipe sweat from his forehead. His face is red, and he’s gasping like a fish out of water.
