Snow Place to Die : A Bed-and-breakfast Mystery

has a note stating that if anything should happen to either

of us, those damning proofs will be turned over as soon as

humanly possible to the authorities.”

“Evidence?” Ava wore a bewildered expression.

“You’re bluffing,” Killegrew declared.

“Is this physical evidence?” Gene queried.

“Most definitely,” Judith responded, wondering if Gene

had an inkling about the pillowcase. “Several pieces of evidence, in fact. They’re all in safe hands.”

“Wait a minute,” Max said with a deep scowl. “Who did

you give this stuff to? There’s nobody here but us.” Despite

his statement, everyone turned toward the entrance where

the door still stood open.

Judith was quick to squelch speculation. “We don’t know

where that laugh came from any more than you do,” she said

to the group in general. “As for the evidence—and the

note—we gave everything to the one person we know did

not commit any of these crimes. You know who you are, and

that you are sworn to secrecy. You also know that we have

a note from you, making the same kind of statement to ensure

your own personal safety.” Judith’s gaze floated somewhere

above the gathering. “That’s all I have to say. Thank you.”

Max raised a hand. “Hey! What about Q&A? We always

have Q&A after a speech.”

“We always have cookies,” Russell put in.

But Judith had withdrawn to the other side of the room,

where Renie stood with an inscrutable expression on her

face. “Shall we mop?” Renie asked out of the corner of her

mouth.

168 / Mary Daheim

“I’m tired of mopping,” Judith asserted in a low tone. “I’m

tired of this lodge, and these people, and the whole damned

thing.” She took another big swallow of Scotch.

“What about dinner? It’s going on five.”

“Don’t tell me you’re hungry.”

Renie shook her head. “Not really. But I assume the herd

will want to graze.”

“Let them. I quit.”

“Hm-mm. You’re getting testy, coz. Is it the booze or the

company?”

“Both.” Judith nudged Renie in the direction of the dining

room. “Let’s go in there. We can actually talk above a whisper.”

Once the doors were shut behind them, Renie grinned at

Judith. “That was brilliant, coz. You even managed to stun

me with that part about the note to one of the OTIOSE

gang.”

“It’ll keep them guessing,” Judith said. “I had to come up

with something.”

“I wish we could trust one of them,” Renie said, her grin

fading. “What about Nadia? Could she push Ward Haugland