Bad Hair Day 7 - Dead Roots by Nancy J. Cohen Read Free Book Online Page A

brushed sand from her legs.
    Champagne hesitated. “The council has to decide if they’ll issue permits for further restoration or allow the current owners to sell the property. I think it would be abominable to build a theme park here, but no one listens to my opinion.” She leaned forward, eyes glistening. “I understand one of your relatives is looking to invest.”
    “Oh, really?”
    “He’s one of the partners in the development company. Why would he destroy your family’s legacy by tearing down the place? This estate has so much history. With proper funding, it could be restored to its glory—the grand hotel, plantation tracts and all.” She glanced behind them and stiffened. “Well, sugar, I hope you have a marvelous stay. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see to our other delightful guests.”
    Marla twisted around to see what Champagne had glanced at, causing her to adopt that falsely bright tone, and stifled a groan. George Butler was chatting with one of the cabana boys, but that wasn’t what dismayed Marla. Rochelle bore down on them with three female friends, whom she promptly introduced as cousins from out west.
    “This is Dalton Vail,” Rochelle said proudly. “He’s a police detective.” She jiggled her body, offering a generous view of flesh covered in the minute bits of fabric teens considered proper swimwear. Marla bristled when Vail’s intrigued glance traveled the girl’s form.
    “We’re just leaving,” she snapped, gathering her towel. “Come on,” she told Vail. “We have to get ready for the cocktail party.” As she marched him away, she called, “See you later.”
    “What’s the matter?” Dalton said, reaching her side.
    “You didn’t have to look at her that way.”
    He took her arm, but she shook him off. Amusement filled his eyes. ‘You’re jealous.”
    “I am not. But in case you haven’t noticed, my cousin is way too young for you.”
    “The poor girl is entranced by the fact that I’m a detective.”
    “Then why don’t you act like one and help me figure out what’s going on around here? Have you noticed the change in Champagne’s personality, like when she puts on her fake gushy act? Who is she trying to fool?”
    “Obviously not you.”
    “She seemed nervous when she was talking to us. I’ll have to catch her alone some other time.”
    Back in their room, Marla called Polly again, but no one answered. “Should I knock on her door?” she asked Vail, worried about her aunt.
    “She’ll turn up at the cocktail party. You can’t expect her to stay in her room the whole time. She’s probably out shmoozing.”
    Reassured, Marla smiled. “You’re right.” She laid her sleeveless black dress, lingerie, and jewelry on the bed, then opened the drawer to retrieve her beaded bag. “That’s funny, I could’ve sworn I’d put it in here.”
    “What’s that?”
    “My evening purse. Didn’t I unpack it from my suitcase and put it in this drawer?” She surveyed the smooth bedspread, dresser top, and desk. Nothing.
    Vail looked at her as though she had a screw loose. “Why don’t you check in there?” He pointed to her luggage on the rack.
    Remembering she had to put away the rest of her things, Marla lifted the lid. Her black beaded purse sat on top of a pair of folded slacks. Feeling a sense of unease, she took the bag and added it to the collection on the bed.
    Promptly at six o’clock, they entered the banquet hall that had been reserved for their family event. You’d never know it was dark outside from the way the room glitters , she thought, admiring the party lights strung in potted palms and the crystal chandeliers illuminating the ballroom much the same as they had in the 1920s.
    Dozens of well-dressed people stood chatting in clusters, their noise level competing with orchestral background music. Circulating waitresses wearing white gloves offered hot hors d’oeuvres, while Marla spotted a table with platters of raw vegetables,