Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

perfect fit for this place.”
    With a hopeful expression, Bev grabbed onto Olivia’s hand. “If I could just have some help, I might actually enjoy owning this yellow monster.”
    Olivia smiled. “Say the word and we’ll review your expenses. I know all the local wholesale suppliers.”
    Bev’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
    “Hey, I’ve got plenty of time if you want to get to work right now.”
    Bev nodded. “I do. I really do. It’ll keep me from focusing on the cops, and maybe it’ll keep this place afloat. Oh, I am
so
grateful that you showed up here today.”
    Feeling slightly guilty for manipulating the naïve young woman, Olivia vowed to do her best to help The Yellow Lady turn a profit.
    “Do you mind if I let my dog in while we work?” Olivia asked after Bev returned from her office carrying a stack of file folders and a pile of loose papers. “This might take a while.”
    Bev pulled aside the sheer curtain covering the nearest window and cried, “A poodle! I had one when I was a little girl. Pollyanna was the smartest, sweetest, most wonderful dog ever. By all means, bring her inside.”
    “Haviland’s all male,” Olivia corrected gently. “And he’s very agreeable, so feel free to pet him.”
    Bev delighted in Haviland. She stroked and scratched him while Olivia reviewed the inn’s finances. It quickly became clear that the Kellys could save money in several areas, thus enabling them to hire a part-time housekeeper and possibly a lawn service as well. When she was through, Olivia was too hungry to think any more, but she was loath to leave. If Bev knew intimate details about her guests, now was the time to ask her.
    “I hate to leave during our moment of triumph,” she told the younger woman. “But I have to eat something. I’ve been up since dawn and am running on two cups of coffee.”
    Bev’s hands flew to her mouth. “Where are my manners? Please, come on back to the kitchen. I have tons of food left over from breakfast because, well, half of my guests had to leave with the police. Would a quiche, fresh fruit, and turkey sausage suit you?”
    “Sounds delicious,” Olivia said and meant it. She was starving. Not only that, but she hoped that by having gained Bev’s trust and gratitude, she could get her to open up about the storytellers and Thursday night in particular.
    It didn’t take long. The women had finished their quiche slices and were enjoying a summer berry salad when Olivia broached the subject.
    “I’m sorry that your current guests have been stressful,” Olivia began. “I guess we can attribute it to their artistic temperaments. I hope they’ve been respectful to you at least.”
    “Oh, they’ve been very polite,” Bev said. “In fact, they’re so charming that I can’t believe any of them could be involved in this murder.”
    “I guess the police will have their suspect as soon as they find out who visited Violetta’s room Thursday night.” Olivia lowered her voice even though they were the only people around. “I only know she wasn’t alone that night because Mariah told me.”
    Bev speared a strawberry with her fork and pushed it around her plate. “I wish I knew who the man was, but our room’s downstairs near the kitchen. The only thing I heard wouldn’t help the police, so I didn’t bother mentioning it.”
    “Oh? What was that?” Olivia asked casually.
    “Well, even though I was exhausted Thursday, I had a hard time staying asleep. So I got up and went to the kitchen to make a cup of decaf tea. I like to drink it on the porch when there aren’t any guests around—sometimes it’s hard to share your house with a bunch of strangers—and that’s when I heard a man talking to a woman.”
    Olivia pointed toward the front of the inn. “Near the check-in desk?”
    “That’s where the guests were, yes. I sat out by the kitchen door, which means I was right around the corner from them. I was already sipping my tea when they came out, and I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I was too tired to move.”
    “After the workday you put in, I’m amazed you ever got up,” Olivia said with a grin.
    “Exactly!” Bev’s relieved smile told Olivia that they were now confidantes. “But honestly, I don’t think what I heard means anything. The man was just complaining. He kept saying, ‘She used me
again
. Tonight. For the last hour. She used me and threw me away like I was trash. She took everything I had and turned her back on me. Do you