Killing the Carnations (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

into the lobby.
    “ It's no problem, we're used to Amanda,” he shrugged mildly. “Poor Charleston has no idea what he's getting into though. At least he'll be CEO so he won't have too much to complain about,” the man headed off towards the stairs. As soon as the elevator doors closed behind Amanda, Vicky wondered if it was a mistake to let her go upstairs alone. Would she even be able to find her room? She knew that Amanda wasn't going to accept help from her, but she hoped that she would from someone she obviously liked. She dialled Aunt Ida's cell phone, which was a device she was still getting used to. She answered on the third ring.
    “ Hello?” she asked, and then before Vicky could answer she growled. “Is this thing on? I can't even tell! Is that you Vicky?”
    “ Yes it's on, it's me, Aunt Ida,” Vicky tried not to laugh. “Can you do me a favor?”
    “ Of course I can,” she replied.
    “ Where are you?” Vicky asked.
    “ Uh,” there was a pause, and then Aunt Ida muttered something under her breath. “I'm just leaving Mr. Brendan's room,” she explained. Vicky's eyes widened at that, she had been up there for quite some time.
    “ Oh really?” she asked with a gossipy tone, but then she remembered that there was business to attend to so she moved on. “I just need you to see if you can find Charleston's fiancée, Amanda, remember you met her earlier today?”
    “ Yes I remember, how could I forget such a beautiful dress?” she sighed at the memory.
    “ She just headed up to her room, room 309, in the elevator but she's more than a little intoxicated so I'm worried that she won't make it to her room,” Vicky explained, her voice fluttering a little with the anxiety she felt.
    “ Don't worry, I'll look after her,” Ida assured her. When Ida hung up the phone she turned back towards Nicholas. The call had interrupted them just as he was leaning towards her. Ida was fairly certain he had intended to kiss her.
    “ I'm sorry but duty calls,” she said nervously and twisted her fingertips through some of the material of her blouse. She hadn't felt so awkward since she was just a teenager.
    “ I understand,” he said calmly, his eyes still locked to hers. “I hope that I'll have the chance to spend a little more time with you before this weekend's over.”
    “ I would like that,” Ida replied with a slow smile, “very much.”
    As she walked toward s the door she heard him following her. He reached past her to open the door for her, showing he was a true gentleman.
    As she turned to say a final goodbye, she found him waiting there for her, his lips poised to embrace hers. Ida was startled and swept away by the abrupt but soft and sweet kiss. It made her shiver with surprise and elation.
    “I-I have to go,” Ida stumbled over her words. He had her very flustered.
    “ I hope to see you again soon,” he murmured and smiled at her as she hurried off down the hallway.
    She heard him close the door and let out a long sigh. She had to pause for a moment to regain her composure. She thought the flirting had been fun, but he had been so bold as to kiss her, and that she had not expected. She reminded herself that Vicky still needed her help with Amanda and forced herself to start walking down the hall. She was almost at the elevator. Her heart was still racing from her encounter and the kiss that she had just shared with Nicholas. With her mind swimming she didn't notice the dark crimson stain at first, not until she stepped down in the middle of it, and the carpet gave a squishing sound. Her heart stopped in that moment and she looked down at the spreading circle that was a very different shade to the tan carpet that covered the hallway.
    “ Is that?” she asked herself nervously. She hoped she was wrong, and that what she saw was wine, but it didn't look like it was. She glanced up at the door it was spreading out from under to find that it was not quite closed all the way. When she tried to