Read Online The Corpse Wore Cashmere by Sylvia Rochester - Free Book Online

reservations or are you here to enjoy the casino?”
    Another employee greeted A. K. with the same enthusiasm.
    Susan stood eye to eye with the modern-day cavalier. “The manager, Mr. Fleming, gave us permission to set up a costume shop for the festival. I’m Susan Griffin, and my business partner is A. K. Williams.”
    His dark eyes sparkled even brighter. “Mr. Fleming told me all about you. When I saw the van, I was hoping you were the costume lady. Serious gamblers don’t usually arrive in such a wagon.” He grinned, showing straight white teeth against his olive complexion. “I am so ready to pick out my costume.” His lips curled.
    The man’s demeanor was far from macho, and his unpretentious attitude appealed to Susan. She took an immediate liking to the fellow. “And you are…?”
    “I’m Miguel Santos, manager over the desk clerks, but right now, we’re all doing whatever we can to accommodate visitors. We’re booked solid, so the festival should be a real blast.” He turned and motioned to other male employees at the front doors. “Need help here.”
    A. K. unlocked the back door to the van, and Miguel pulled out the loading ramp. Standing on tiptoes, he leaned forward and ogled the hanging outfits. “My, my, look at all the goodies.”
    He reminded Susan of a little boy in a candy store. “Mr. Fleming said he would provide a kiosk for us on the mezzanine.”
    “It’s ready for you. I’ll have everything delivered to your location, along with your luggage. You and your friend can check in at the front desk and join me when you finish. Mr. Fleming has provided complimentary rooms for each of you close to your kiosk, and you needn’t worry about security. There will be hotel personnel on duty at all times, and the kiosk can be locked. Leave your keys in the ignition. The valet will park your vehicle.”
    “Wonderful,” A. K. said. “Now, all I need are directions to the slots.”
    “A girl after my own heart,” Miguel said, patting his pocket.
    Stepping into the lobby of the hotel was like stepping into the past. Giant palms rose twenty feet high against fake stone walls. Distressed trestle tables, topped with lanterns and surrounded by wooden captain chairs, transformed the contemporary lobby into a dock-side tavern of the seventeen hundreds. Barrel fountains and exotic birds in cages added sound to the illusion.
    “Far out, huh?” Susan said, gawking at the surroundings as she approached the check-in desk. It had to have cost a fortune for the decorations, way beyond her budget.
    “All that’s lacking are people in costumes.” A. K. nudged Susan. “Take a gander over there. I wouldn’t mind dressing up that hunk.”
    A tall man with bulging muscles beneath a skin-tight tee shirt returned A. K.’s stare.
    “Bet he’s a bouncer.”
    “Probably, but despite all that testosterone, I’d settle for Jack in scrubs any day.”
    Ever since Jack had come into A. K.’s life, it was obvious that her friend’s flirting meant nothing. One had only to watch the two together to realize things were heating up between them. Susan expected any day for them to make the big announcement.
    Susan was happy for them. And more than anything, she longed to spend the rest of her life with Wesley, but one obstacle stood in their way—his job. She wanted a long-term relationship, and his line of work couldn’t guarantee that. She had only to look at Melanie to know what could happen.
    Susan plopped her oversized purse on the counter. “Susan Griffin and A. K. Williams to check in,” she said to a wisp of a girl with a baby face. Why was it with each passing year, kids looked younger and younger, while her mirror told another story?
    “Oh, you’re the costume ladies! Mr. Fleming is anxious to meet you. I’ll be right back.”
    A few steps down from the counter, the girl knocked and entered another door. Seconds later, she returned, followed by a man who could double for Agatha Christie’s Hercule