It’s true, I’ve confronted more than one suspect all by my lonesome.
“And now”—Cormack looks past me into the boisterous crowd as they dance to the egregiously loud music that’s making the walls buzz to the rhythm—“I’m going to nail Stassi Maxwell to a murderous wall.” She stalks off and my mouth falls open. I glance back to Slater and Ariella, but they’ve already stepped into the lobby, holding hands, laughing softly to one another.
Mayor Nash comes up and takes Carlotta by the hand. “Let’s show these kids how it’s done.” He winks my way. “You’re looking great, Lottie. Keep up the good work.”
And in a flash Carlotta and Mayor Nash disappear into the office behind the registration desk.
“Wonderful,” I mutter.
Nell sighs at the sight. “She’s not very reliable, is she?”
Lil’ Mama expels a few aggressive barks. “We don’t need her, Lottie. If it’s one thing Mrs. Albright always said, it’s that a woman is perfectly capable of taking care of herself—once she’s secured her husband’s millions.”
And to think I was about to agree with her.
Slater pulls Ariella to the left, and soon they’ve ducked into the same room with Mayor Nash and Carlotta. After tonight, my mother just might want to rename that the coital closet. Not that she has any authority as to what to call anything these days, other than calling Cormack and Cressida boss, that is.
I don’t waste any time as I waddle over in the direction of the office myself.
“Lemon?” Everett’s familiar voice calls from the door and he’s by my side before I know it. “Is everything okay?”
“You tell me. Did you find that woman?”
He shakes his head. “No, but I will. I promise. I don’t want you to worry about anything. I’ll make sure you’re not in any danger from her.”
“Maybe not her, but these two I’m not so sure about.” I take up his hand and lead us into the office that both amorous couples just ducked into. Oddly, there’s no sign of Carlotta and Mayor Nash, but we’re sure as heck treated to Slater and Ariella making out like a couple of teenagers.
“Slater?” Everett’s voice is tight. “Ariella?” He sounds bewildered as he says her name. “I’d ask what the hell is going on, but I think I know.”
The sharp ding of a bell sounds from our left and all four of us look that way.
Seated at the rickety old desk of my mother’s is the ghost of Greer Giles with her dark flowing mane and that pristine white dress she never seems to change out of. And next to her is her steady Eddie, Winslow Decker, watching as she taps away at the typewriter before her. A stack of papers sits to her right as she busily clacks away at the keys and I marvel at her intensity for a moment.
Winslow looks my way a moment. “Oh hey, Lottie. Greer and I have got a solid plan we’re working on.”
“That’s right,” Greer calls out without looking up from her secret project. “I’ve got more dirt right here than all of Honey Hollow has underneath its feet.”
Nell floats that way and reads whatever it is Greer is whipping up. “Oh dear. That Cressida Bentley is one naughty girl.”
Greer taps away at that typewriter at lightning speeds and papers go flying.
A choking sound comes from Ariella. “What the hell is that?” Her eyes are agog at the sight, and come to think of it, so are Slater’s.
“It’s an antique my mother found.” I shrug their way. “It’s kind of like a player piano, but it’s a player typewriter.”
“But there’s paper in it.” Ariella shakes her head with a look of abject confusion. “I think it’s actually writing something.”
“Don’t pay it any attention,” I say. “Besides, you look as if you had other things on your mind—like each other.”
The two of them exchange a dark look just as Lil’ Mama comes this way barking up a storm.
Everett’s chest expands. “So it was you, Ariella. You were the other woman.”
“I knew it!” Lil’ Mama yips. “It’s always the best friend.”
“No.” Ariella is quick to deny it. Her eyes bulge wide as her breathing grows erratic. “I just…this is something stupid and impulsive. I had too much to drink. We got carried away. Cormack—she found the killer. She’s out there now trying to get a confession from Stassi. You should go, Everett. She might need you. She might be in danger.”
“I’ll go with you,” Slater volunteers.
Lil’ Mama roars right at him as he takes a step and walks right through her.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I tell him. “Ariella, you are the other woman. That perfume you’re wearing? It’s Enchanted by Vera Veragamo. Cormack smelled it on Slater that night of the grand opening out in Hollyhock. You had seen each other that day, and I bet you were doing exactly what we’ve caught you doing here.”
Ariella’s mouth falls open before she lifts her chin. “Come to think of it, I did see Slater that day. I might have given him an embrace. We’re friends. I’ve embraced Everett, too. Are you going to accuse me of having an affair with your husband, too, Lottie?”
“No, just Jasmine’s. You must have hugged Slater the night of the murder, before it took place because he had the green glitter from your dress all over him. In fact, it’s still on him. He’s wearing the same jacket.”
Ariella’s face goes white as she gives a few blinks. “So what? My husband’s suit had the same thing. I was practically shedding the stuff that night. It still proves nothing.”
“Maybe. But why did you deny keeping Jasmine’s food service? You not only kept it, but you changed its name.
