Murder's Last Resort by Marta Chausée Read Free Book Online

you?”
    Mona flashed that megawatt smile and her long, tanned legs peeked out from the slit on the side of her sequined, ruby, sheath. How a compact guy like Vacaar ever scored a retired, super model wife like Mona was a mystery to everyone. He never took his eyes off her. Maybe that was part of his charm for her. As I air kissed Mona, I stole a sidelong glance at Vacaar. What would a man like Luzi stand to gain by Torrey’s death? Was there anything in it for Mona?

Chapter 15
     
     
    “Look who’s here!” Jake and Lily whispered into my ears at the same instant, causing me to bounce up from my truffled risotto appetizer. There stood Alana Torrey, framed in the grand entry doors to the ballroom and bathed in soft chandelier light. Shimmering like liquid gold as she approached, she glided, she floated. No other woman moved with her poise.
    She was a goddess in motion. Her gown was a slender silhouette, champagne colored, dripping with bugle beads that swayed ever so gently with each step. Her bag matched her shoes and gown. Her clear complexion was complimented by her crown of thick, shoulder-length, rich girl hair. She was regal and that was the reason she reigned as the queen of Sapphire Hotels and Resorts. The only things missing were her scepter and crown.
    “Oh my gosh!” slipped from my lips, as I looked at her in wonderment.
    Lily asked in a whisper, “Bollocks, has she come downstairs to join us at this party, no matter what? ‘The show must go on’ and all that rot?”
    “Stunning!” came from Jake’s mouth. His gaze was almost envious.
    She either has the discipline of ten Olympian athletes or she’s not distraught because she knows who murdered Red—she did!
    As she approached the table next to ours, I rose and intercepted her.
    “Alana! I never expected to see you here tonight,” I said, giving her an air kiss and a little hug.
    Her whisper in my ear was soft but clear. “I want everything to appear normal. Just because Redmund isn’t here doesn’t mean I can neglect our guests. Besides, I want to find that murderer as much as anyone else—more than anyone else. Maybe someone won’t be able to look me in the eye tonight. It wouldn’t help Redmund for me to stay up in our suite, crying like a whiney baby.”
    I smiled at her and said, “Got it.” She and I understood each other. She was a steel magnolia and I stood in awe of her.
    Sitting at a nearby table were the Trotters, Philip and Chloe. Philip was second in command to Torrey and, as such, Torrey’s right hand man. He was Executive Vice-President and he oversaw the entire Sapphire Hotels and Resorts nation, all ninety-two properties.
    “Alana, come sit next to Chloe and me right here,” I overheard him say as he stood up to greet her, ever the British gent. As always, he was solicitous of Alana. Certainly more so tonight, I observed , since she’s alone.
    He’s so ambitious. He and his sparkling wife, Chloe, were both as polished as ivory chess pieces. Philip relied on his British accent and his Southern belle wife to push them both forward in life. The two of them stood to gain a lot with Torrey gone.
    After the entrée, it was time to dance. Jake excused himself to pick a beauty out of the crowd, while Lily and I chatted about this and that, all the while observing those around us, as though we worked for the CIA. Many of the servers and security people passing through the room were Rick’s deputies. While serving soufflés, they were also taking mental notes, I supposed.
    “May I have this dance?” a deep, rich baritone enveloped me. I looked up into the warm brown eyes of Brett Fitzpatrick, one of my favorite men of Sapphire Resorts. His wife, Diane, could be a bit of a pill. Maybe I would be, too, if my husband had shoulders so wide he had to go through doors at an angle and women threw themselves at him. And he were constantly catching them, midair.
    “Of course, my friend!” I answered, thrilled to jump to my feet, not