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, still in the hotel, on their way to the bistro for hot chocolate, the group paused to look at the display of antiques from the Westwick Mansion that were on loan from the Vista Falls Museum. Mr. Dinello explained a bit about what each of the pieces were and noted that they were priceless. After the rest of the group went to the bistro, Jenny Littlepoole and Vera stayed behind claiming that they wanted to freshen their makeup. They ducked behind one of the large columns in the hotel lobby and waited for their friends to get settled in the bistro. Planning to further question Riley, they waited a little while and then slipped out, heading for the hotel desk. Weren’t they surprised to see Chief Colbert waiting for them? Onto their scheme, the chief wondered what they were doing. Did Officer Littlepoole and Vera tell Chief Colbert the truth? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 12
Out of Clerk

Officer Littlepoole and Vera slipped out from behind the column where they were waiting.

“Hello!” Chief Colbert grinned.

“Sam!” Jenny exclaimed, startled.

“You’d think that a hotel this fancy would have a better place for you to freshen your makeup than behind a column.” Chief Colbert continued to grin.

“Oh, we were…” Vera began.

“It’s okay, Vera.” Officer Littlepoole interrupted. “What gave us away?”

“Jenny, my darling fiancée, you don’t wear makeup.” Chief Colbert laughed.

“Oh.” Jenny giggled.

“This is why we don’t let you do undercover work on the force.” Chief Colbert teased.

“So, now, would you two like to tell me exactly what you’re up to?”

“Well, I’m not going to lie to you, Sam.” Jenny Littlepoole smiled.

“I would hope not.” Chief Colbert laughed, “You know, considering we’re going to be married.”

“I’d never lie to you, Sam.” Jenny affectionately and gently patted Chief Colbert’s broken arm. “Vera and I were hoping to talk to Riley some more. He said some things that made it clear that he was hiding something. We figured that he’d be more willing to talk if he didn’t have a dozen people staring at him.”

“I agree.” Chief Colbert nodded. “He did mention a few things that made me curious. There seems to be something going on here that involves the so called ‘ghost’ of Theodosia Westwick. I think he was hiding something. And, he was clearly uncomfortable with all of us listening to him.”

“We should have told you what we were planning to do.” Jenny Littlepoole said sincerely. “It’s just that there wasn’t really a good time to do it.”

“The others would have been upset if they thought they were left out.” Vera explained.

“Well, that’s no reason not to have told them.” Jenny sighed. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

“It’s all right. I understand.” Chief Colbert nodded. “Listen, I’ll go back to the bistro and tell the others what you’re up to. I’m not the only one that wondered what was going on with the two of you.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Jenny Littlepoole chuckled.

“Don’t you want to come with us?” Vera asked Chief Colbert.

“I do.” Chief Colbert nodded. “However, I think that Riley will be more inclined to talk freely without the Chief of Police asking the questions. I might intimidate him, and, after all this isn’t an official police investigation.”

“You’re right.” Officer Littlepoole nodded.

“Come right back,” Chief Colbert grinned at his fiancée.

“We will.” Vera smiled.

“We’ll tell you all about it.” Jenny said brightly.

“Good.” Chief Colbert winked. He then headed back to the bistro.

“Come on, Vera.” Jenny said. “Let’s go to the front desk.”

Vera looked toward the tall desk. “No one’s there.”

“We’ll ring the little bell. Riley will come out.” Jenny Littlepoole said confidently.

They walked to the front desk and rang the bell.

An older man with puffy gray hair came out upon hearing the bell ring.

“May I help you?” The man asked.

“Oh.” Jenny Littlepoole’s eyes widened. “Yes. But, actually, we were looking for the young man that was here earlier. He was very helpful.”

“Young man?” The man asked.

“Yes. His name was Riley.” Officer Littlepoole explained.

“He helped us about fifteen minutes ago.” Vera added.

“Riley, yes.” The man nodded. “Riley is no longer with the hotel, ladies.”

“He isn’t?” Vera asked.

“No, Miss.” The man shook his head. “I’m the night manager, Russell Barrymore. I’m sure I can be of assistance.”

“But, what happened to Riley?” Vera asked quickly.

“As I said, Miss, Riley is no longer employed by this hotel.” Mr. Barrymore shook his head again.

“In the last fifteen minutes?” Vera said, raising her eyebrows.

“Yes, Miss.” Mr. Barrymore answered firmly, making it clear that he did not wish to discuss the situation any further.

“I see.” Jenny Littlepoole began calmly, mostly in an effort to keep Vera from doing something in her usual wild way.

“Are you two ladies guests here?” Mr. Barrymore continued.

“No.” Officer Littlepoole shook her head.

“Were you hoping to check in?” The manager asked dryly.

“No.” Officer Littlepoole responded. “We were looking for some information.”

“I’m the person to ask, Miss.” Mr. Barrymore growled. “After all, I’m the manager. There’s nothing that happens in this hotel that I don’t know.”

“But, we wanted Riley.” Vera grumbled. She looked at Officer Littlepoole with wide eyes as if to say, “What now?”

What should Vera and Officer Littlepoole do next?

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