Murder at the Miramar (Augusta Burnette Series) by Dane McCaslin Read Free Book Online

braving the chill, splashing and running through the waves, but for the most part we were alone. Emmy was quiet, pensively sipping her wine as we walked. The moon, just coming up over the cliffs, shone golden in the sky, and a light breeze had kicked up, making me glad I’d thrown on a sweatshirt.
    ‘What do you think happened back there tonight?’ I motioned with my chin toward the resort and the floodlights.
    ‘I wish I knew.’ Emmy’s voice was quiet. ‘He was a friend, AJ. I knew Miguel for a long time. I’d even gotten the job for him when he worked here.’
    That was news to me. I had no idea he’d worked at the Miramar before. Maybe I’d misunderstood.
    ‘You mean the gig tonight?’ I glanced at Emmy as I sipped my Pinot Grigio, waiting for her answer.
    She shook her head. ‘Miguel worked here for a few months in the springtime, but … well, things happened and he left. I didn’t blame him, though,’ she added hastily. ‘Miguel was a good man, a family man. His wife will be so sad.’ She shook her head.
    ‘Life can be truly crappy, Emmy. I hope whoever lets her know is nice about it.’ I could picture Detective Fischer’s dry delivery of the facts, not knowing what to do with a weeping woman. Detective Baird would know exactly what to say and do, of that I was sure. How could a man with a dimple ever be unkind?
    ‘What kind of job did Miguel do when he was at the Miramar?’ My inability to let something go had kicked in, and I was curious why anyone would leave the resort.
    Emmy slowly took another mouthful of her Chardonnay, eyes fixed on the horizon. ‘He was my assistant.’
    I took that in for a moment, letting the words chase one another around my addled brain. He was me? Or rather, I was now him? What in the world might have sent Miguel off to find employment elsewhere after working at the Miramar? I wasn’t complaining, mind; I was glad to have this job. I just couldn’t imagine a dust-up with Emmy, though, especially not after seeing them talking together earlier.
    A filigree mist was slowly curling in from the water and the breeze had quickly developed into a sturdier version of its former self. I shivered, pulling the sweatshirt’s hood over my head. I could never handle cold ears, and mine were definitely in the icy range.
    Emmy shivered slightly, drawing a thin cardigan more firmly around her body. ‘Maybe we should turn back now, AJ. It’s getting colder and I still have so much to finish this evening.’
    We strolled back toward the Miramar, past the floodlit patio with its reminder of the evening’s tragic events. I shivered, too, but not from the cold. Miguel’s death made me think I hadn’t heard everything there was to hear about his past employment and relationship with Emmy.
    And Detective Baird made me shiver for altogether another reason.
    I have a healthy belief that passing the buck can be both good and bad, and I have had extensive practice in both. However, my first day at the Miramar was beginning to feel like one huge experiment in the blame game. Emmy blamed herself for Miguel’s demise, Detective No-Personality Fischer had hinted at everyone being a suspect, and I was beginning to think I’d blundered into a B-rated crime movie, which, of course, was Ellie’s fault. If she hadn’t encouraged me … well, between that and David’s irritating behavior. I sincerely hoped his wife would take him back and let me off the hook.
    After I’d returned to my room following our impromptu beach stroll, I considered Skyping Ellie again and decided against it. I was tired, I was a bit tipsy, and I was ready to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow would be a regular day at the Miramar, since my first day certainly wasn’t. I hoped.

Chapter Seven
    I could sense light in my eyes. Something had awakened me and I lay there for a moment, slightly dazed and trying to decide if it was already morning. I thought I could hear movement, a shuffling noise, and oddly enough, the light