Judith gasped. “No! Pets aren’t allowed. You know
that; Arlene knows that.”
“Nobody told Arlene about the snake,” Joe replied,
on the defensive. “I didn’t know anything about it until
they got here.”
“What kind of snake?” Judith asked, still upset.
“A boa constrictor.” Joe paused again. “I think.”
“You
ears had pricked up.
“I haven’t seen it,” Joe said. “Nobody has. I mean,
not since the Pettigrews arrived.”
“You mean
“I’m afraid so. His name is Ernest,” Joe added.
“Oh, good grief!” Judith twisted around so far in the
bed that she felt a sharp pain course through her left
side. “How are the other guests taking it?” she asked,
trying to calm down.
“Not real well,” Joe replied. “Of course they can’t
go anywhere else because of the snow. You know
how impassable the hill is in this kind of weather.
Anyway, the Pettigrews insist he isn’t dangerous.”
“They better be right,” Judith said through gritted
teeth. “Why couldn’t the Pettigrews leave Ernest at the
airport?”
“They say he has a very nervous disposition,” Joe
explained. “Ernest suffers from anxiety attacks.
When he has one, they have to put a paper bag over
his head. A small paper bag, of course.”
“Of course.” It was Judith’s turn to heave a big sigh.
“Okay, I guess I can’t worry about it. But I will. I
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Mary Daheim
wanted to ask if you could find out from Woody what
the police are doing about this situation with the three
hospital deaths. Could you check in with him
tomorrow?”
“I already did,” Joe replied. “They’re not doing anything.”
“Woody said there’s no official investigation,” Joe
said. “The county isn’t doing much either, according to
him.”
“That’s unbelievable,” Judith declared.
“I agree,” said Joe.
“It’s also highly suspicious,” Judith added.
“Yes.” Joe suddenly became very serious. “I
wouldn’t get mixed up in this if I were you. I mean it.”
Judith drew in a sharp breath. “Yes.”
“Yes what?” Joe said.
“Get mixed up. In this.” Judith winced.
“Something’s not right,” Joe said, “but it’s not up to
