Read Online Murder in Cottage #6 (Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Dianne Harman - Free Book Online

character
assassination. Said he didn’t have any hard evidence that Dave had ever done
anything wrong. Looks like that snake in the grass covered his tracks, that’s
for sure.”
    “I’m sorry your brother
lost, but I really haven’t been involved in the city elections.”
    “Well, I wouldn’t bother.
It’s obvious people don’t think when they vote or worse yet, don’t even want to
know the facts. Guy has so much dirt on him he’d need a case of bleach to get
himself clean. Cheats on everything from his wife to his taxes. Understand his
wife died in one of the cottages here. Too bad it wasn’t him.”
    “Zack, that’s pretty
harsh. I don’t think that’s something you want to say publicly! If someone
hears you say that, they’re going to want to know where you were when she died,
and right now we don’t even know what happened to her.”
    “Seth says she called it
quits ‘cuz of the affair that slimy husband of hers was having with Darcy
Martinez and as far as where I was, I have no idea. Got to drinking a little too
much on my vacation ‘cuz my brother lost the election, and things are a little
hazy. I’m feeling much better today and ready to get back to work. Anything
special you need me to do?”
    “Can’t think of anything
offhand, but you better check with Bertha.”
    “Think I better start
planting some flowers I bought before my vacation. I’ve got a bunch of empty
pots I can get them going in, because in a few weeks all the ones we have next
to the cottages and on the steps of the spa and lodge are going to need to be replaced.”
    “Thanks Zack. That sounds
good. I love the flowers. They’re a nice contrast to the forest and the ocean.
Tourist season is just around the corner, and we’re always booked solid in the
summer. See you later.”
    “Think it’s a good thing
you got a little protection for yourself with that dog. Strange things can
happen at a place like this,” he said as he started the truck and drove it
towards the lodge parking area.
    That’s a weird thing to
say. Wonder where he was during the night and in the early morning hours
yesterday. Actually, I hope it won’t be necessary to find out. I’m hoping
against hope Barbara died from natural causes. It sure would make my life and
everyone else’s a lot easier if that was the case.

CHAPTER 11
     
    “Okay, Winston. You’ve had the grand
tour of your new home. The only thing I haven’t done is give you the tour of
the van, but I think that can wait until we actually go somewhere. For now, why
don’t you lie down and get comfortable while I check the messages on the
answerphone.”
    So it’s come to this. I
must be getting old. I’m actually enjoying conversing with a dog.
    Liz decided when she and
Joe bought the lodge and spa that Bertha would handle the reservations for the
cottages. After taking a reservation for a cottage, Bertha would transfer the
guest to the spa receptionist who would set up their spa treatments. Liz hadn’t
wanted to get bogged down taking these types of reservations. One of the main
reasons she’d wanted to buy the lodge and spa was so she could cook the family
style meals that were served to the guests. She’d always loved to cook and
entertain and Joe had pridefully maintained that she was one of the reasons his
car dealerships had been so successful. When they lived in the San Francisco
area they’d entertained clients and friends weekly at her infamous dinner
parties, and she’d always enjoyed it. The only difference at the spa was that
every night there was a different cast of characters, all with a different
story, a story she was a master at getting them to tell. Meeting the people,
cooking, and making their stay at the Red Cedar Spa memorable was something she
enjoyed every minute of the day.
    With almost all of the spa
reservations and calls going through Bertha, she knew when she saw the blinking
red light on the answerphone it meant a message had been left, and it