Penned In - Lynn Cahoon Page 0,20
the question. “You’re not going to believe this but he wore an executioner’s hood. It has to be the one in the display room for the gallows.”
“But you knew it was a he?” Angie pressed. Maybe there were clues that would limit the number of suspects.
“Yeah. Well, I guess I thought it was a man. He held a knife and motioned us into the closet. Then I heard him rummaging around the room.” Bridget looked up and smiled at Marty. Marty sat cold drinks in front of her and Glen, who joined them at the table.
“This is supposed to be an acting job. You tell the stories, give the tour, then watch until people leave in the morning. No one said I was going to be locked up in a broom closet.” Glen opened his soda with a crack. “I’m beginning to think I need to look for another job.”
“Don’t jump too soon. This job is fine. Well, as long as no one gets killed. And besides, we don’t know that Pat’s death had anything to do with the prison. Maybe one of those people out there had it in for him. The guy could be a real butt.” Bridget put a hand on Glen’s and Angie saw a look pass between the two.
“Well, I’m glad we found you. We were beginning to worry.” Angie nodded to the door. “We’re going back to the great room. What about you guys? Are you staying in here?”
“Why, so we can get locked up again? I think not.” Marty grabbed a soda out of the fridge and nodded to the door. “Come on lovebirds, let’s go join the group.”
Angie smiled as she walked back out to the common room. She’d been right about Glen and Bridget. They were involved. There were many connections within the group. Glen and Bridget, Marty and Pat’s ex-wife, Marty and Pat. Was it that simple? Had Marty killed Pat in a fit of rage? She shook her head, ending the mental gymnastics. Marty just didn’t fit the killer mold. At least in her mind. This would be one investigation she’d love turning over to the police just as soon the doors opened later that morning.
The guards/hosts were met by a round of welcomes and where have you beens. Angie and Dom moved over to the table where Ian sat watching them.
“So you found the missing few.” He nodded to the guards who were now talking to an agitated Tad. “That guy is going to give himself a heart attack if he’s not careful.”
“Once we’re out of here, it’s not our problem.” She sat next to Ian. Dom inched under the table and laid down with his head on her foot. “Anything interesting happen here while I was gone?”
“Not a thing. Except Estebe snores like he’s cutting logs back there.”
Angie glanced back at the cells, grimacing. “He gets up super early and goes to work out at one of those 24/7 gyms. Then he does his real estate investing stuff. Then he comes to work. And, I hear he spends a few hours a week volunteering with the Basque Community Center Men’s group. The guy is always moving.”
“He makes me look like a slacker.” Ian grinned. “No wonder I like the guy. We’re poster children for Over Achievers Anonymous.”
“You balance me out nicely.” Angie rubbed his arm and laid her head on his shoulder.
Ian chuckled. “You? You’re the president. You’ve had not one but two successful restaurants straight out of college. You don’t do that if you’re a slacker, and you are no slacker.”
She thought about her old boyfriend and former partner in el Pescado, her first restaurant. He’d been a slacker, but he’d picked two over achievers for partners. And he walked away with a large profit from that first venture for very little work.
Angie and Ian played cards for the rest of the time. Finally, he glanced at his watch. “Sorry to leave you, but I’ve got to get some z’s. Do you want me to wake up Felicia?”
“Let her sleep for fifteen more minutes.” Angie glanced at her watch. “I can handle a few minutes alone. I promise I’ll wake her up right at the hour.”
“You better.” He kissed the top of her head. “See you later today.”
Angie focused on the game of Solitaire she spread out before her. But then she heard a noise. Thinking it was Felicia, she didn’t look up. She pulled her sweater close as the air seemed chilly. “I was going