Murder Mystery Part 9-2

The second half of yesterdays entry. Sorry about all these half-entries. I'm fairly certain I know how this is going to end now. Tomorrow (or the day after) should be the exciting conclusion.


Avery bumped into Adam just outside of the restaurant.

"Adam? Did you need something?"

"What? No. I'm just trying to hide from someone?"

"Paul?"

"No, some girl I knew in High School."

"Christine Prim." Avery remembered telling her now was a good time to for Adam to be surrounded by friends. "Sorry, Adam. I ran into her outside your room. I thought you could use a friend."

"A friend I could use, she's more like a stalker! She moved all over trying to get my attention! It wasn't until I lied and told her I was moving to Florida that she left me alone."

"Really? Didn't she notice you didn't move?"

"She moved to Florida. Apparently she's been looking for me since."

Avery shook his head. "Again, sorry about that Adam. I need to go talk to the manager."

"Careful, that guys a dick! He and Kim got into a fight when we checked in. Wouldn't let her bring her dog! We had to put it up in a kennel." Adam stopped for a moment and seemed to be lost in thought.

"Thanks for the information." Avery waved and walked off toward the Manager's office.

"I need to ask you some questions." Avery paced in front of the manager who sat behind his desk looking all too annoyed. "What did you know about the victims?"

"Nothing about the girl. Glen worked for us as a photographer. His job was to take pictures of guests having fun, make it look like our hotel was the place to be for vacation."

Avery stopped pacing his monogram poised ready to jot down anything important. "Didn't you and Kimberly Douglas have some sort of disagreement when she checked in?"

"About her dog yes. She wanted to bring her dog into the resort. We have a strict "No Pets" policy."

"And where's the dog now?"

"In a kennel just up the street. It's very good, all our guests leave their pets there."

Avery sat down in the very comfortable leather seat across from the manager. "What can you tell me about Glenn Endritch?"

"Nothing more than I already told you."

"Didn't you tell him to avoid a certain area of the hotel last night?"

"Yes. How did you hear about that?"

"I'm a detective, it's my job to find these things. What area did you want him to avoid?"

The manager took a deep breath and carefully thought out each word he was about to use. "I understand this will sound suspicious but I asked him to avoid the area where the girl's body was found."

"When did you have this conversation?"

"Around this time yesterday. I had good reason to keep Glen away from there."

"And what reason might that be?"

"Privacy."

"For whom?"

The manager leaned forward and for the first time ever he looked somewhat menacing. "I am a hotel manager for a very prestigious resort. I realize this information makes me look like I have something to hide. I am no murderer. I'm saddened to have lost Glen and even more saddened that a client was murdered while staying at my hotel. I want to do everything I can to clear this issue up, but I cannot answer that question."

"If you wanted this investigation solved quickly you'd give me all the information you know. You wouldn't let possible suspects leave the hotel. You'd answer my questions!"

The manager slammed his fist against the desk. "I'm doing my damndest to keep this resorts reputation afloat! I have to run damage control! Not just with you, but with the guests and the media! Do you have any idea what kind of pressure I'm under? Do you know what it would take to overshadow the fact that not just one, but TWO murders have happened here?"

"Why wasn't Glen allowed to take photos in that area last night!"

"Because we have a very reclusive celebrity staying in that area! I assured her we'd give her all the privacy she needed and to keep the other guests and staff from bothering her!"

"Who's staying here?" Avery was surprised and feeling a bit star struck. A celebrity was hiding out on the resort HE was staying at. Maybe he could get her autograph when he was finished.

"Is that really necessary to your investigation?"

Avery shook his head. "No. No it's not."

"I need that celebrities endorsement of our resort to keep our name afloat. If word spreads that people were murdered here no one will come and we'll be forced to close down putting hundreds of people out of a job. But if people here that an A List celebrity stayed at our resort and enjoyed it, more people will flock to our location!"

"Even if there was a murder here they'd come for the chance to see a celebrity." Avery tapped his pen on his chin. "Thank, I believe I have all the information I need." Avery flipped his notebook shut and headed to the beach to clear his head.