Murder at the Mansion (22 page)

Authors: Janet Finsilver

BOOK: Murder at the Mansion

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“Yes, until you started walking toward me.” I smiled at them. “I wanted you to know in case you ever had a ceiling like this above you again.”

“We appreciate it,” Nelson said ruefully. “Life's full of surprises.”

Mary's eyes sparkled. “This could be useful in our investigations. We'll have to see what other places have a ceiling like this.”

Corrigan addressed the group. “Anything else?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“Thanks for coming.” He stood, then said, “Oh, Kelly, good news. I received word the renovation's complete at Redwood Cove B and B. You're in business.”

The Silver Sentinels clapped.

Ivan boomed, “Welcome, new manager!”

We said our good-byes and went our separate ways. Scott was staying for a while. It would be nice to get to know him better, without the tension of a murder case surrounding us.

I drove to Redwood Cove Bed-and-Breakfast, parked, turned off the engine, and sat in the truck for a few minutes thinking about how I'd driven here listening to the song “Walking on Sunshine.” The gray clouds that had covered the happy return had now dissipated.

What I found when I entered the multipurpose room made me smile. Allie and Tommy were taking turns tossing pieces of popcorn to Fred, Jack, and Jill.

Tommy shouted, “Fred won. Five for five.”

Fred did a basset hound dance.

“What does he get for winning?” I asked.

Tommy looked puzzled for a few minutes, then grinned. “More popcorn!”

Helen was folding napkins and stacking them on the counter.

“Good news, Helen. I just found out we're officially open for business.”

“Great! I'll start stocking up on supplies.”

I went to my room, put my purse away, and then went to the conference room. It was back to being a meeting room for ordinary tasksâno longer a place to strategize about finding a murderer.

Rejoining the group in the work area, I found Daniel and Tommy wrestling on the floor, with the dogs jumping into the fray at every available opportunity. Stevie and Allie had pulled out the beanbag chairs and were watching television. I heard a voice from the television call out, “Lassie,” and a dog bark.

This was the life I'd wanted to see and be a part of. The phone rang.

I answered it. “Redwood Cove Bed-and-Breakfast. How may I help you?”

“We've been admiring the rooms on your website. Is the one named The Study available tomorrow and the day after?”

“Let me check.” I opened the registration book. “Yes, it is.” I prepared to write their information in it. My first registration as official manager of Redwood Cove Bed-and-Breakfast.

My new beginning.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet Finsilver
and her husband live in the San Francisco Bay Area. She loves animals and has two dogsâKylie and Ellie. Janet enjoys horseback riding, snow skiing, and cooking. She is currently working on her next Redwood Cove mystery. Readers can visit her website at:
www.janetfinsilver.com

To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

LYRICAL UNDERGROUND BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018

Lyrical Underground and Lyrical Underground logo Reg. US Pat. & TM Off.

First Electronic Edition: June 2016

ISBN: 978-1-6165-0931-6

eISBN-10: 1-61650-931-7

ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-932-3
ISBN-10: 1-61650-932-5