“Or out of a cave,” Mara suggested.
“We cannot solve this crime.” Kellen stood, legs apart, arms folded over her chest, and spoke the way she had in the past when facing an impossible battle. “We’re not going to waste our time trying. Speculation will get us nowhere. None of us are experts. The body is in an advanced state of decomposition. In all likelihood, this will remain an unsolved murder.”
Mara and Sheri Jean agreed with her.
The others were uncertain, groping for a way to make this come out right.
“What horrible person would kill Priscilla?” Destiny’s voice wobbled. “Priscilla wasn’t happy. She was always trying to make up stuff about herself, trying to make herself interesting.”
“Then she’d forget and contradict herself.” Sheri Jean laughed shortly.
“She didn’t have anyone who loved her. No family. No friends. Then to be murdered…” Destiny jumped off the chair. “I hope the killer’s face is devoured by flesh-eating bacteria!”
“I hope the killer discovers his lover in bed with his best friend,” Ellen said.
Nervous laughter rippled around the room.
“And they both have the clap and he’s slept with both of them,” Daisy said.
Laughter died. They all stared at Daisy with wide eyes.
“You kids.” She shook her head. “I’m old. But not older than sex.”
Kellen broke the icy crust of shock that held them in place. “Everyone, we’ve got work to do, and that includes reassuring the guests, who will undoubtedly hear this news in the most lurid way.”
“I wish Mr. Gilfilen was here,” Ellen said.
“I do, too—” the understatement of the year “—but he left a solid security system in place.” What a lie.
Mara stepped in to support her. “You know Vincent Gilfilen. He’s totally without empathy, but he would never leave us unprotected. Now—my staff has the six Alaskan women coming in for a group spa experience, so, ladies and gentlemen, let’s get to work.”
“The guests will be talking to each of you, so let’s keep the gossip low-key,” Kellen said. “Be encouraging. The death was months ago, we’re horrified and grieved, but we go on as a family. Right? Because we will watch out for each other, won’t we?”
Fear bound the group like glue.
Xander came to his feet again in that don’t-touch-the-floor maneuver that made him look like a cobra rising from a basket. In his overly serene voice, he said, “The universe watches out for us, and we trust the universe to keep us safe.”
“The universe didn’t give a damn about Priscilla,” Frances said.
The employees separated reluctantly, moving toward their stations, arms clasped around their middles. Each of them glanced back as they left the room, and Kellen nodded encouragingly as they did.
Sheri Jean shooed her staff out the door, too.
The last to leave was Destiny. She came to Kellen. “I wouldn’t have left the door unlocked if I’d known a killer lurked close. Captain, I’m so sorry.” She wasn’t asking for her job back. She was apologizing and acknowledging her mistake.
“You understand now. This could happen at any time and to anyone.”
Destiny blew her nose.
Kellen threw caution to the wind. “Mr. Gilfilen will take me severely to task, and he’ll probably override me when he returns from vacation, but for the moment, you can stay.”
“I’ve got my job back?” Destiny’s red-rimmed eyes lit up. “Thank you. If I don’t make money, I won’t go to college next year. My mom works here as a housekeeper—she can’t afford the tuition, and I’m not smart enough to get a scholarship. But college is my only ticket out, and I promise I won’t screw up again.”
Kellen noted that Destiny hadn’t played the sob story card until she was reinstated. Bonus points to her.
To Kellen, Mara said softly, “I told you she was a good kid.” To Destiny, she said, “Mrs. Yazzie specifically requested you for her massage. I substituted a free pedicure, but she wasn’t happy. When she comes in, let her know you’re back and ready to work on her.”
“Okay!” Destiny started to leave but turned back. “What I want to know is—what did Priscilla see out on the tour that scared her so badly she tried to run away?”
11
Good question, kid. Kellen had come here seeking a place to build a home, and now the home had become its own kind of nightmare with friends she didn’t know if she could trust and her own mind that led her through logic and programming and abandoned her when it came to her own memories.
Sheri Jean turned to Kellen. “You are going to call Annie, aren’t you?”
“Right now.” Kellen started for the office.
“What about our meeting?” Sheri Jean asked.
Kellen turned and looked at her in exasperation.
“You’ll come to me after you talk to her,” Sheri Jean instructed. “Tell me what she said.” She left Mara and Kellen alone in the spa waiting room.
“She has a very stern sense of what’s owed to her.” Mara grinned without humor. “Gruesome death cannot change that.”
“I get that.” Kellen had been in so many countries and so many situations where status ruled and wisdom came second to ego. “But it’s hard to bend to tradition when today I’ve seen a mutilated corpse.”
“Mutilated?” Mara bounded to her side. “What do you mean, mutilated?”
Why had Kellen told her that? Something about Mara’s competitive competence had lured her into confession. “Priscilla’s hands had been severed.”
“No wonder you were sure it was a murder. That’s sick. That’s brutal. What else do you know that you didn’t tell us?”
“Nothing. I’ve seen corpses before, in war zones. This is different. Not combat. Cold brutality. The stench of death is different. Less random. More intent.”
“What Lloyd Magnuson knows about police work couldn’t fill a teacup.”
“That’s right.”
“Do you think the people here are in danger?”
“I think—” Kellen faced Mara straight on “—it’s dark and cold and stormy and we’d all be happier if we do as I said and stick together. I don’t think there’s any more bodies out there, but I don’t know for sure, and in the meantime I want Annie to tell me what to do.”
“Sounds good. You up for our run tomorrow and some sparring?”
Kellen stared at Mara in amazement. “No, I’m not up for a run. I’ll be lucky if I’ve had any sleep by then!” She stalked out, muttering, “A run. Really.”
Mara hurried after her and called, “See you at five.”
Kellen faced her.
“Five thirty?” Mara suggested.
“All right, but if I don’t show, go without me.”
Mara jumped and pumped her fist in the air.
God, that woman was annoying.
Just outside the spa, Kellen met the Shivering Sherlocks; she flattened herself against the wall and waved them on. To no avail.
The six ladies surrounded her and peppered her with questions about the corpse.
She assured them their safety was paramount.
They wanted to know the gruesome details.
She made her disclaimers, assured them she knew nothing about police work. They drooped in disappointment, managed to catch her in one group selfie and, when she told them they’d be late for their appointments, hurried into the spa.
Kellen sagged. For nice ladies, they had a real disconcerting interest in murder.
She started toward the office, passed the elevator and backtracked. Mr. Gilfilen had suggested often dropping into the second-floor security center; now was a good time. Brief security before talking to Annie. She took the elevator up, used her pass card to unlock the door and found:
AXEL RASMUSSEN:
WHITE, MALE, 30, 5’10”, WEIGHT 275 LBS., EMPLOYED AT RESORT 9 MO., CURRENTLY ASLEEP IN CHAIR IN FRONT OF THE MONITOR ARRAY. SNORES—APPROX. 90 DECIBELS.
Obviously, she needed a camera in the security center to make sure the employees were even conscious. She walked up behind Axel and clapped her hands as loudly as she could.
He jumped hard enough to almost fall off the chair, then stood up and whipped around, ready to fight.