The Extinguished Guest (A Lexie Starr Mystery, Book 2) by Jeanne Glidewell Read Free Book Online Page A

has nothing to do with botany. It concerns my other interest—restoring
     historic homes. How to do it properly so as not to destroy the innate historical quality
     of the structure. There's nothing more distressing than finding an old Tudor mansion
     decorated with Victorian furniture from a later period, or any historic home being
     restored with features from a different era than when the home was actually built.
     Did you know the flying buttress evolved during the Gothic Era?"
    "No, I didn't, but I do see your point. It sounds like such an interesting subject.
     I'm sure your book will do extremely well once it hits the book stores."
    "I doubt it, but it stands to do better, now that Mr. Prescott is deceased."
    "Huh?" I asked, taken back by his unexpected remark. "What do you mean by 'now that
     Mr. Prescott is deceased,' Otto?"
    "He was working on a book about the same subject, but he'd progressed much farther
     than I in its completion. It looked like his book would hit the market well in advance
     of mine, thereby diminishing the success of my book. A first-rate publisher had just
     offered him a contract, in fact. I haven't even queried agents yet."
    "Did he begin his book first?" I didn't mean to imply that Otto had stolen Horatio's
     idea or was being a copycat, but he seemed offended by my question. Even Patty appeared
     irritated, but this was more likely spurred by her annoyance at my display of interest
     in her husband's book, a subject she obviously found boring beyond belief.
    "He certainly did not!" Otto said, with more emotion than I'd have thought he possessed.
     "I started my book weeks before Prescott even thought of the idea. In fact, I truly
     think he got the idea from me. Unfortunately, Horatio required much less sleep than
     I do. Maybe three or four hours to be completely refreshed, but I require a full eight
     hours of rest each evening. He told me once that he awoke at about four most mornings
     and worked on his book until breakfast and then off and on, whenever he could throughout
     the day. My job doesn't allow me such luxury. I can only devote a few hours each evening
     to my writing. His book's progress soon overtook mine."
    "I see," I said. The main thing I suddenly "saw" was the reason Mr. Prescott was already
     up and dressed for the day at 5:08. He must have been up working on his manuscript
     about restoring old homes when the killer entering his room interrupted him. There
     was a ballpoint pen in his hand at the time of his death. I didn't recall a manuscript
     being discovered at the crime scene, however. I would have to inquire about this,
     whenever the opportunity arose.
    "Shut up, Otto, you're boring me plum to death," Patty said. She pointed a half-eaten
     glazed doughnut at me. "And her too, I'm sure."
    "Yes, dear," Otto replied, and resumed his sifting through the potting soil in the
     planter.

 
     
     
    Chapter 5

     
    I stood up, made a couple of comments to the Poffenbargers about the weather, frostbite,
     and having work to do in the kitchen, and walked back into the inn. Passing the door
     to the parlor, I heard Crystal speaking to Boris Dack. I was shocked to hear venom
     in her voice as she said, "If you weren't so self-absorbed, Mr. Dack, you'd see I
     was busy pouring coffee refills."
    "What'd you say?" he asked, obviously surprised by her uncharacteristic attitude.
     "You cheeky, little—"
    "You heard me! If you need an ashtray, go to the kitchen and get one for yourself.
     I spend half my time trying to keep them cleaned out, as it is. Some people don't
     appreciate the smell of nasty, old cigar ashes, you know."
    I was as taken aback as Boris. I would've never expected Crystal to stand up to the
     domineering man the way she had. She was usually very patient and able to brush off
     anything and everything demanding guests said to her. She probably was in desperate
     need of a little respite, I concluded. The young woman had been rushing around all
     morning in