Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, the teens, Mr. Dinello, Chief Colbert and Officer Littlepoole went to the hotel on Rosebud Hill with the key-card they had found. Before they went, the decided that they would simply tell the truth about what they were doing. Upon entering the hotel, they were all impressed with how elegant and stylish the place was. Chief Colbert commented that the hotel was very expensive. They talked for a bit about how the hotel had brought tourists to town who were supporting the shops on Vista Fall’s historic town square. Jenny Littlepoole said she didn’t understand why some people in town still objected to the hotel and convention center considering how much money it had brought to town. Vera grew impatient with their chatting and insisted that they go ask the hotel clerk about the key-card. The hotel clerk, a young man named Riley, took the card and thanked them for returning it, but grew annoyed with their constant questions. After awhile, he demanded to know what was going on. Even though they had vowed to tell the truth, Vera began to panic when Riley showed his irritation. What happened next? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 10
Display Dismay

“How many have lost their card today?” Vera asked.

“None since I’ve been here. But, my shift only started two hours ago.” Riley began to frown.

“Is there a list of people that lost their cards?” Vera asked. “Maybe the people that worked the shifts before you kept a list.”

“What is this?” Riley snapped. “What’s going on?”

Vera began to panic. She hadn’t counted on making the clerk angry. She was afraid that they were all going to get kicked out of the hotel. She wanted to tell Riley the truth about why they were asking those questions, but she feared that the truth would just make him angrier.

Vera’s mind raced. She thought about telling the clerk a lie. She thought about running out of the hotel. She clenched her fists and tried to think clearly.

Vera smiled. “I’m sorry. I know this must seem weird. But, we mean no harm. This is Sam Colbert.” She pointed at the chief. “He’s the Chief of Police here in Vista Falls.”

“I see.” Riley nodded. “Nice to meet you, Chief Colbert.”

Chief Colbert smiled, “Hello.”

“I think Chief Colbert can explain why we’re asking so many questions.” Vera said quickly. She whispered to the chief. “Is that all right?”

“Of course,” Chief Colbert whispered back.

“I would like an explanation.” Riley said, regaining his patience and smiling again.

“Well, as Vera said, I’m Sam Colbert. This is Officer Jenny Littlepoole and Jeff Dinello.”

“Is this an official investigation?” Riley asked.

“No.” Chief Colbert shook his head. “This isn’t police business, really. We’re just trying to answer some questions.”

“Are all of you cops?” Riley asked. “Is this some kind of teen deputy program?”

Jenny Littlepoole smiled. “No, it’s nothing like that. Our young friends have solved a good many mysteries, however. That’s what we’re doing tonight.”

“You see,” Mr. Dinello spoke up, “we saw something strange this evening.”

“Oh,” Riley nodded. “Wasn’t tonight that party at Cascades Park? It was in your honor, wasn’t it, Chief Colbert?”

“Yes,” Chief Colbert blushed. “We were all talking after the party and Vera here,” He nodded toward Vera. “She saw a strange woman—a ghostly woman who resembled the ghost that people around here talk about. It’s a local legend…”

“The Woman in Gray.” Riley nodded. “I know the story. I grew up here. On the east side, in the historic district.”

“So, good, you know the story.” Chief Colbert smiled.

“I sure do.” Riley sighed. “It’s funny that you should mention it.”

“Why is that?” Mr. Dinello asked.

Riley looked uncomfortable. “It’s just that a lot of the locals say that the hotel shouldn’t have been built here on this hill where the Westwick Mansion once stood. They said it would anger the ghost of Theodosia.” Riley explained. “And, then, there’s…” He trailed off.

“There’s what?” Chief Colbert asked.

“Nothing.” Riley shook his head. “So, what’s all this got to do with a key-card you found?”

“Well,” Chief Colbert began. “After Vera saw the strange woman, we all spotted her along Old Martin Creek. That’s when we found the key-card. We thought that perhaps the two things were connected.”

“Oh, I understand.” Riley nodded. “So, you came here to see if I knew of anyone that had lost their card—anyone that could have been dressed like the ghost from the legend.”

“That’s right.” Vera spoke up.

“Unless of course, it was really a ghost.” Kate said softly.

Chief Colbert laughed, “Kate, ghosts don’t roam the earth.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Riley gulped.

“What do you mean?” Mr. Dinello asked.

“It’s nothing.” Riley sighed.

“Are you sure?” Chief Colbert asked.

Riley smiled and nodded. “Yes, sir.” He took a deep breath, “I apologize for being testy earlier. It’s just that I don’t often have a mob of strangers asking questions at the desk.”

Chief Colbert laughed. “We understand. In fact, we had even thought about that in advance. We were afraid you’d find it odd.”

“You were right.” Riley chuckled. “I wish I could be more help to you. We don’t keep a record of who loses their key-cards. Even if we did, unless it was for an official police investigation, we probably wouldn’t tell you. We’re trained to keep our guests’ privacy our utmost goal.”

“That’s fine.” Chief Colbert nodded.

“I hope you all figure out who or what you saw.” Riley continued.

“So do we.” Vera sighed.

“Listen, if you all want to make yourselves comfortable for awhile and talk about what you’re going to do next, I’ll call over to the bistro over there and have them give you all some hot chocolate—on the house.” Riley offered.

“That would be nice.” Jenny Littlepoole grinned. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” Riley answered. “Have any of you dined at the hotel before?”

“I have with my family.” TJ said. “And, Rick’s mom and dad come here.”

“So, then you know we have three restaurants in the hotel. There’s the French restaurant—Le Fleur Blanche, there’s the bistro for more casual dining and there’s a very nice seafood place called Mordecai’s.”

“Mordecai?” Lucy asked. “Like Theodosia’s lost fiancé? From the Legend?”

“Yes.” Riley nodded. “Some of us thought it was in bad taste to name the place after him. But, that’s what management wanted to do.”

“I guess it’s a nice way to remember the story of the people that were here before.” Ward shrugged.

“That’s what management said. My bosses said that they wanted to honor their memory. That’s why they set up that display.”

“Display?” Chief Colbert asked.

“Over there.” Riley pointed to a corner of the elegant lobby. “Some of the antiques from the Westwick Mansion are on display there with a sign telling about the mansion and the Westwick family. The management borrowed some furniture and a couple of paintings and stuff from the museum. The curator of the museum said she’d let the hotel have the antiques on loan as long as it was to show people the history of Vista Falls and not play up the old spooky legend. But, I think…” Riley stopped talking.

“What do you think?” Jenny asked.

“I think that I’d better stop talking now.” Riley laughed. “It’s none of my business. All I know is that no one around here has forgotten the legend of The Woman in Gray. How could we? I mean, after everything we’ve seen.” He looked nervous. “Well, anyway, I’ll call the bistro and get those hot chocolates set up for you.” He pointed toward a tall set of leaded glass doors. “The bistro is through there. You might take a look at the items from the Westwick Mansion on the way over. It’s some pretty stuff.”

“Thank you,” Mr. Dinello nodded. “You’ve been really nice.”

“It’s my job.” Riley shrugged.

As the group started walking toward the display of antiques, Vera grabbed Jenny Littlepoole’s hand.

“I think he’s not telling us something.” Vera whispered to Jenny, glad now to have made friends with Chief Colbert’s fiancée.

“I think you’re right.” Jenny whispered back.

“What should we do about it?” Vera asked.

What should they do?

Voting results for how the story continues:

Vote!

Vista Falls Ch. 10: What should they do? Jenny and Vera should sneak back and question Riley some more. 48.1% They should talk about it with the others in the Bistro. 44.4% They should ignore it and go on investigating based on what they already know. 7.4%   Version 2.03

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