Murder in Vail by Judy Moore Read Free Book Online

keys.”
    Lance looked depleted. “Well, where are Yvette and I supposed to stay?”
    “Take my room,” Stephen said. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
    “There’s a new pullout couch in the study down the hall,” Sally offered.
    “That sounds fine,” Stephen said.
    Lance was clearly still upset. “I appreciate your giving up your room, Stephen, but Yvette is not going to be happy. Our winter boots and ski clothes are in there, and we were counting on wearing them.”
    Lance gave his brother a hard look. “I want her out by morning.”
    Then he knocked on the door again. “Listen up, sweetie!”
    For the next five minutes, Lance proceeded to give Rachel a detailed list of objects in the room that she was forbidden to touch or move and implored her repeatedly not to smoke inside the room.
    “And make sure all the smoke has been cleared from the balcony before you re-enter the room,” he said finally.
    “Lancie.” Yvette’s feminine voice came from the bottom of the staircase. She was sitting on the bottom step. “Duchess is getting tired. She needs a nap.”
    “Be right there, darling,” Lance cooed. He announced to all of them before hurrying down the stairs, “Yvette is not going to be happy.”

Chapter Twelve

    Sally went to the kitchen to check on the progress of dinner. A wonderful aroma floated out from the kitchen—Helga was preparing a huge prime rib in mushroom sauce. She could hear Helga banging pots and pans around in the sink.  The minute Sally opened the door, she knew something was wrong.
    “Helga, are you still upset about what Gwen said? I told you how sorry I am about that.”
    Helga didn’t look up from the sink.
    “Yes, I still angry. Very angry,” she said. “And I not cleaning up after that Playboy lady’s dog.”
    Yvette! Sally thought. Every time that woman is around, she upsets somebody .
    “Yvette and Lance both try to make me clean up after dog. I not do it.”
    “I didn’t know she was bringing their new dog,” Sally told her. “And you certainly don’t have to clean up after it.”
    “Dog look like rat,” Helga said. “Why her rat get to stay out and our dogs get put away? Our dogs live here. This their home too.”
    “I know, Helga, but the little Yorkie is afraid.”
    “Goldie and Silver not hurt that dog. They friendly. Your children treat your dogs like dirt, and they treat me like dirt too.”
    Sally didn’t know what to say. She knew there was truth in what Helga was saying.  “Helga, I’m so sorry. I’ll speak to them.”
    “It do no good. They always like this. Even after all these years, they still treat me this way.”
    Helga dried her hands and turned to look Sally squarely in the eyes.
    “I sorry, Sally, but I quit.”
    Helga was quick to anger and slow to forgive. But this time seemed different. She had never quit before.
    “No, no, Helga. Please don’t quit. They’ll only be here a few days, and then they’ll be gone.”
    Helga shook her head stubbornly. “But they always come back. They your family. I not. I sorry, Sally. I finish cooking dinner, but I not serving them.”
    “You don’t have to serve them. That’s fine. But please don’t do this, Helga. What would I do without you? You’re my best friend.”
    A tear rolled down Helga’s cheek. Sally had never seen her friend cry before. “You my best friend, too, but I can’t be treated like this. I have dignity.”
    Sally stepped forward to hug her, but Helga turned away. “I going to pack tonight and leave in morning.”
    No matter how much Sally tried to convince her housekeeper to stay, Helga was determined to leave. Sally felt sick.

Chapter Thirteen

      An hour later, Glen stood in front of the small mirror above the bureau brushing his hair. He leaned forward and examined the thinning hairline above his forehead. More seemed to fall out every day. It was fine in the back, but the top! His full head of black hair had always been his best attribute. The ladies loved it.