“If her sister, a convicted felon, is any indication, then not very well,” Mercedes said.
“The head of EC Security Services is a convicted felon?” Tori gasped. “Oh dear. I thought security staff had to pass a rigorous background check.”
“One would think,” Carlita murmured. “Elvira has her own way of doing things.”
“And not always the right way,” Mercedes chimed in. “So I guess Elvira is on our list to question.”
“Let’s head upstairs. Thank you for the note, Byron.” Tori grabbed the handrail as they ascended the steps. When they got to the top of the landing, their host paused. “Which room is yours, Mercedes?”
“This one.” Mercedes eased past Tori and opened her bedroom door. She made a beeline for her overnight bag and the small handgun bag inside. After opening the bag and checking to make sure it was there, she joined her mother and Tori in the hall.
“I’m good to go.” Mercedes slung the strap over her head and patted the front. “I feel much safer now.”
The trio toured the remaining guests’ rooms, all of which were identical to Mercedes and Carlita’s rooms, except for the room at the very end of the hall.
“This is the master suite.” Tori swung the doors open, revealing an expansive master suite.
To the left was a reading nook, complete with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a marble fireplace and an overstuffed chaise lounge.
To the right was a compact kitchen. It sported a mini-fridge, granite countertops and a stainless steel sink. Above the sink was a small microwave and in the corner was a wine fridge.
Mercedes let out a low whistle. “Check it out. I could live in your bedroom.”
“It’s convenient,” Tori said. “William and I made a deal. I got my book nook and he got the kitchenette. I still use it on occasion, when I’m feeling under the weather, but for the most part, it goes unused. Would you care to see the master bath? It’s my favorite part of my room.”
“Lead the way.” Mercedes rubbed her hands together. “I love your home, even if it is most likely haunted and a replica of the Clue house.”
“Thanks, I think.”
The women made their way down a side hall. It opened to a spa-like master bath. The floors were an Italian marble. Front and center was a massive claw foot tub.
“Check this out.” Mercedes stuck her head inside the shower.
“It’s a walk-through shower. You can walk through if you’d like,” Tori said, a twinkle in her eye. “Only a handful of people have ever been inside my private quarters.”
“Can I?” Mercedes strolled through the shower, taking in every detail, from the wall of showerheads to the rain showers hanging from the ceiling. She exited the other side. “You must need an owner’s manual just to figure out which handle goes to which showerhead.”
“I only use the one inside the entrance. It seems like such a waste.” Tori shrugged. “I remind myself I have to think about resale value. If I ever needed to sell my home, I have plenty of upgrades to entice potential buyers.”
“Would you ever consider moving?” Carlita asked. She couldn’t picture Tori moving from her magnificent estate, unless, of course, she couldn’t afford it.
“No. I can’t imagine selling it. It would be like getting rid of a part of me, of William. Shall we continue?”
The trio retraced their steps. Tori pulled the double doors shut and they meandered down the long hall and then down the main staircase. Lucien and Byron were gone and the hall was empty.
“I believe Iris is in the kitchen with Mrs. O’Brien. If you think it would be useful, we can talk to her to see what she remembers,” Tori said.
“Yes. That would be perfect. We’ve already spoken with Mrs. O’Brien.”
“Let’s head to the library, and I’ll have Iris bring us a light lunch. Are you hungry?”
“I’m starving.” Mercedes patted her stomach. “I was so excited about our stay that I didn’t bother eating, although the cookies were delish.”
“We shall take care of that posthaste.”
There was a fire burning brightly in the fireplace and Carlita and her daughter settled into two of the wingback chairs while Tori walked over to a side table and picked up the phone.
She spoke briefly to someone about serving a light lunch in the library and thanked the person on the other end before replacing the receiver. “Mrs. O’Brien prepared a bacon and cheese quiche this morning. Iris will bring that, along with a tray of croissants and sausage and gravy biscuits, made from scratch, of course, and a bowl of cut fruit.”
Carlita’s stomach grumbled and she realized she hadn’t eaten, either. “I guess all of this sleuthing made me hungry.”
The women chatted about the storm, about Ava’s death, and then the conversation drifted to Tori’s employees. Carlita wondered if Tori was subconsciously protecting her “family” and was guarding what she said.
Carlita admired the woman’s loyalty to her employees, but someone had committed murder and that someone needed to be brought to justice.
The conversation shifted to the upcoming Christmas season, and the Cathedral of St. John’s Christmas Eve service.
“If you don’t do anything else during the Christmas season, you must attend St. John’s Christmas Eve service. It’s stunning,” Tori said. “Back to this EC Security Service Company. Ms. Cobb…the second Ms. Cobb is Elvira’s sister.”
“Correct,” Carlita nodded.
“The woman is a convicted felon?”
“In the State of California,” Mercedes said.
“Obviously, I’m all for second chances.” Tori grasped one of the pearls on her necklace and began twisting it. “Still, if I hire a security company, I want to feel secure.”
A light knock on the door interrupted their conversation and Iris, followed by another young woman Carlita didn’t recognize, entered the room.
“Thank
