Brutal Brûlée (Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Book 11) by Leighann Dobbs Read Free Book Online Page A

really? Who was that?”
    “That’s the thing,” Mrs. Pendrake said excitedly. “No one entered Leonard’s room. No human, that is. Which leaves only one answer—it was the ghost of Wellington Manse.”
    A look of excitement spread on Danny’s face. “Really? You guys think Leonard was killed by the ghost?”
    He didn’t wait for an answer. He’d already pulled his cell phone out and was punching in numbers. As it rang, he turned back to them. “This is perfect! It makes the documentary much more interesting. I’m sure the home office will give us the green light to go ahead now!” He walked off down the hallway with a spring in his step.
    Helen and Ida raised their brows at each other and Ida said what both of them were thinking, “That sounds like motive to me.”

Chapter Ten
    L exy and the ladies were heading toward the library to go over the clues in private when they heard the familiar clackity-clack-clack of stilettos behind them.
    “I saw you all in Violet’s office,” Gloria said. “What was going on in there? Does Inspector Garrity have any new clues?”
    “We were going over the surveillance video,” Ruth said.
    “Surveillance?” Gloria looked at them with blank eyes.
    “Violet has a security system installed and one of the cameras happens to point to the hallway outside the room Leonard was staying in.”
    Gloria looked toward the ceiling as if she were searching for a camera. “I didn’t know there were cameras everywhere.”
    “They aren’t everywhere. Just the hallway and stairs, as far as I know,” Ruth said.
    “We thought we would see the killer on the video,” Ida added.
    Gloria’s perfectly plucked brows shot up. “And did you?”
    Nans shook her head. “Unfortunately, no.”
    “So who do they think did it?” Gloria shifted on her feet. Lexy didn’t blame her for trying to take the weight off. Those stilettos looked mighty uncomfortable.
    “We don’t know.” Nans’ face turned thoughtful. “Karen said she brought you a drink in the conservatory. Is that right?”
    “Yes. A martini.”
    “And who were you with in there?”
    Gloria laughed. “Nobody? Unless you count the cat.”
    “How long did you stay there?” Nans persisted.
    “Oh, about an hour.”
    “And did you see anyone else walk by in the hallway or outside?”
    Gloria pressed her bright red lips together, the wheels behind her eyes turning slowly. “No.”
    “What did you do after?”
    She shrugged. “I went to bed.” Then her eyes widened. “Oh! But I did see someone on the way to bed.”
    They leaned forward with excitement. “Really? Who?”
    “Danny Manning. I was crossing the front foyer when something up in the hallway caught my eye. I leaned back to look up through the spindles. It was Danny.” She put her index finger to her pouty red lips, her forehead wrinkled in concentration. “He was going to Leo’s room and he looked around behind him as if looking for someone or to see if anyone was watching, but he didn’t see me because I was down below.”
    Nans had been listening with rapt attention. “And then what happened?”
    She shrugged. “Nothing. I continued on to the back stairs.”
    “Back stairs?” Ida asked.
    “Yes. I spent a lot of time here in my younger days and I know the mansion inside and out. My room is on the opposite side of the hall from Leo’s at the back. So, I just take the back stairs. I know Violet doesn’t like guests to take them, but I like them better since they seem less formal.”
    “I take those sometimes,” Lexy said. “They come out near the kitchen.”
    “That’s right.” Gloria’s brow furrowed. “I wonder what Danny was doing at Leo’s door.”
    “Maybe killing him?” Ida suggested.
    Gloria’s eyes widened. “You don’t think so, do you? I probably should’ve said something before. Do you think it’s important?”
    “Umm ... yeah,” Helen said.
    “Maybe I should tell that nice inspector Garrity.” Just as Gloria said that,