April was at a loss for words. “But that’s . . . I mean, the hotel should have reported it. How?”
“Excuse me, Mrs. Danielson,” I said. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but how do you know all of this?”
“Because I was there. I was one of the first people on the scene after the break-in was discovered.”
April and I exchanged a glance, then we waited for Fiona Danielson to continue.
“I usually work the day shift. There’s only seventeen guest rooms, and typically, not all of them are occupied. Not much needed from housekeeping at night that the front desk can’t handle. But with the Spring Festival starting, we’re full up, and the manager, Mr. Appleton, asked for volunteers to help out.” She sipped her tea. “I’ve been saving up my money for a trip home to visit me mum, so I could use the extra money. That’s why I volunteered.”
The waiter brought our food and verified that Fiona didn’t want anything to eat before he left.
“No point in your food getting cold. Eat up.” Fiona waved for us to eat and then glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot. “The Studebaker and Upton Suites are in the east wing. They’re the best rooms. Mr. Davenport was in the Upton Suite. It’s a mite bigger than the Studebaker, with a private balcony that leads to the outside.”
She topped up her tea and took a sip before continuing. “We had a late checkout in the Studebaker Suite, and I had just about got it finished when I came out into the hall and heard that Mr. Davenport swearing like a sailor. He came out, took one look at me, and then accused me of breaking into his room and trying to rob him. He claimed the Carson Law Inn was nothing but a fleabag shack and . . . well, he just ripped us apart.” She shivered.
“How horrible,” April said. “I’m so sorry he lashed out at you.”
“That’s the way of it. Someone misplaces a pair of expensive sunglasses, and they blame the maid. Drop their cell behind the nightstand, must be housekeeping.” She shook her head. “Well, I told him in no uncertain terms that not only had I not taken one scrap of paper, but I was more than willing to go through a full search.” Her eyes wide, she huffed. “That’s when I pulled out my phone and called the police and then the manager. I demanded that someone come at once and search my cart, my pockets, and, if necessary, I was willing to strip down to me knickers so no one could say I took anything.”
April’s lips twitched, but she got them under control. “That was smart.”
“Then I held up my keys. I have keys to get into any room in this building. Why would I need to break a window?”
“What did Mr. Davenport have to say to that?” I asked.
“Well, he backed down in a hurry. Mr. Appleton was too busy apologizing to Mr. Davenport to take notice of the likes of me. He just kept talking about the reputation of the Carson Law Inn and how nothing like this had ever happened here before. He’s right about that. We never did have any trouble with thieves, but I suppose there’s always a first time.” She sipped her tea. “Anyway, by the time the police arrived, that Mr. Davenport had done a complete one-eighty. He didn’t want a police report. He didn’t want to file any complaints. He even apologized to me.” She leaned forward. “He even tried to buy me off.”
“How?” I asked.
“Smiled real big and said he didn’t mean to accuse me of stealing. Claimed he was just . . . upset. Then, he pulled out his wallet and offered me money for my inconvenience.” She pursed her lips as though she’d just sucked a lemon. “God knows I could have used the money, but there was no way I was letting him clear his conscience. Oh no, I took those bills and left them right there on his desk. Then I turned and marched right outta that room.” She paused. “I have my dignity, and there’s just some things that money can’t buy.”
“I’m so sorry,” April said.
“What happened next?” I asked.
“I told Mr. Appleton, just as soon as I finished cleaning the Tippecanoe Suite, I wanted someone to go in and verify that nothing was missing and then I was leaving and wanted my last wage packet.”
“Oh no,” we said.
She chuckled. “That got his knickers in a twist. Anyway, he comes into the Studebaker suite and follows me around like a puppy, apologizing and begging me to stay.” She shook her head. “I’d calmed down a lot by then. So, I told him I’d stay. I came out of the Studebaker and locked the door, and you’ll never guess what I found in my cart.”
“Money?” April asked.
She nodded. “You got it. That git must have slipped it in the cart while we were doing the other room. Well, that just got me het up all over again. So, I marched over there and knocked on the door, prepared to toss the money back in his face, but the latch must not have caught on the door. So, when I knocked, it just pushed open. That Mr. Davenport was on the phone with his back to the door, so he didn’t hear or see me. But I heard him.”
“What did he say?” April asked.
“Well, I’m not one to eavesdrop on conversations. The Carson Law is very strict about guest privacy.”
“Of course, we know you’d never deliberately listen in on a conversation, but this is really important. And if you heard anything, it would be really helpful.”
Fiona Danielson pondered for a moment.
“It could be really helpful to Leroy,” I said.
That settled it. She glanced around and leaned forward. “I heard him say, I know you took the photo and those papers, and I want them back, tonight. Then he laughed.” She shivered. “It wasn’t what he said, but the way he said it, and then that laugh . . . I can tell you, that sent a chill right down my spine. Well, I just turned around and left. I put the money in an envelope, and I was going to give it back to him the very next day. But . . .” She shrugged.
“But he was killed,” April said.
Fiona turned bright red and nodded. There was something more she wasn’t saying. She kept her head down and didn’t make eye contact with April, but I had an idea.
“Davenport, April’s husband, was dead,” I said. “And you were afraid that maybe the police might think Leroy was involved?”
She sighed and then nodded. “They had to know how he cared for her. And then if they found out that Mr. Davenport accused his mum of stealing and I was found with the money, well . . . I don’t know, but it just seemed like I’d be mucking up dirt that might cause more trouble for my boy.” She leaned toward me. “Leroy’s a good boy. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope. She handed it to April. “I guess this belongs to you now.”
April stared at the envelope as though it were a snake.
“Mrs. Danielson, it’s obvious that Mr. Davenport wanted you to have this money,” I said. “He gave it to you himself. I think you should keep it.”
April slid the envelope back across the table. “Yes. I’m sure that would be best.”
“Do you think I should report it?”
“I think if the police question you, then you should be honest and tell them the truth. However, I don’t think there’s any need to volunteer anything.”
“That’s what Leroy said. When I told him about it, he told me to tell you two and follow your instructions.” Fiona slipped the envelope back into her pocket. She glanced at the time. “I better get to work.”
“Mrs. Danielson, I don’t suppose you know who Mr. Davenport was talking to, do you?”
She blushed. “No idea. To be completely honest, I wondered if he mightn’t have been talking to you.”
April frowned. “Me? What gave you that idea?”
“I heard him say, Don’t deny you took them. I know you too well. I’m sure the people of New Bison won’t be happy if those papers became public, and they might just vote you out on your ear.” She shrugged and walked away.
The color drained from April’s face.
