The Unkindest Cut - By Honor Hartman Page 0,54

You told her how the cow ate the cabbage yesterday, didn’t you?’’

‘‘Yes, I guess I did,’’ I said, recalling the scene in the dining room when Veronica had tried to embarrass Paula over her credit card.

‘‘She strikes me as someone who’s probably vindictive, ’’ Sophie said.

‘‘She struck me the same way,’’ I said, then laughed at the unintentional pun. Sophie joined in.

‘‘Seriously, though,’’ Sophie said after a moment. ‘‘Who else could it be? Is there anyone else you’ve had a run-in with?’’

‘‘No,’’ I said. ‘‘Unless someone is trying to warn me off from being nosy. Gosh, I feel just like Nancy Drew. She got hit on the head a few times, didn’t she?’’

‘‘Yes, she did, but don’t you start making a habit of it,’’ Sophie said in a wry tone.

I thought of an important question. ‘‘Did you see anyone out here when you came looking for me?’’

‘‘No,’’ Sophie said. ‘‘There wasn’t anyone on the grounds when I walked across to the woods. I figured you might be walking through the woods, so I came straight to them. There wasn’t anyone in the woods either.’’

By now we were approaching the front of the hotel. I paused on the veranda to remove my sunglasses and stick them in my bag. Sophie opened the door for us, and I preceded her inside. Still shepherding me along, she headed for the reception desk.

Monica was on duty, and her eyes widened with pleasure when she saw me. ‘‘Good afternoon, ladies. What can I do for you?’’

‘‘Do you have a doctor on call for the hotel?’’ Sophie was brisk, but polite.

‘‘Yes, ma’am,’’ Monica said, startled. ‘‘Is one of you sick?’’

‘‘Mrs. Diamond fell in the woods’’—Sophie cut her eyes sideways at me, and I gave a slight nod—‘‘and I think she ought to have a doctor look at her and make sure everything’s okay.’’

Her eyes full of concern, Monica stared at me a moment. ‘‘I’ll call the doctor right away. Is it an emergency?’’

‘‘No, probably not an emergency,’’ Sophie said, ‘‘but I think she should be seen very soon. Just in case she might have a concussion.’’

Monica nodded. ‘‘I’ll call now. Why don’t you go on up to your suite and rest until the doctor arrives? Is there anything else I can do for you, or get for you?’’

‘‘No, not at the moment,’’ Sophie said.

‘‘Thank you, Monica,’’ I said, smiling at her.

She returned the smile as she reached for the phone. We left her punching in the number and made our way to the elevator.

Marylou was evidently still playing bridge. Our suite was empty.

‘‘I’m going to take a hot shower,’’ I said as Sophie escorted me into the bedroom.

‘‘How’s your head?’’ Sophie asked as I dropped my bag on the bed.

‘‘It’s okay,’’ I said. ‘‘My head is clear. It’s just my back that’s bothering me a little.’’

‘‘Okay, then,’’ Sophie said. ‘‘But I’m going to pull a chair up close to the bathroom door. You call out if you need anything.’’

‘‘I wouldn’t mind some water before I get in the shower,’’ I said, and almost before the words were out of my mouth, Sophie found me a bottle of water and opened it.

‘‘Thanks,’’ I said, then drank about half the bottle.

Sophie took it from me when I headed toward the bathroom. She was watching me anxiously. ‘‘I’ll be just fine,’’ I said. ‘‘I wouldn’t mind some hot tea when I get out of the shower.’’

‘‘Right,’’ Sophie said. I knew that giving her at least one little task would make her feel better.

I slipped into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar. I knew better than to argue with Sophie about her monitoring me while I showered.

The hot water felt wonderful on my back. The showerhead adjusted to several settings, and I experimented until I found the one I liked best. Then I stood there and let the water beat down on me.

While I enjoyed the shower, I thought back over what I had been doing just before I was hit by the rock.

I had been mulling over the different suspects in the murder. I had reached Paula when I heard a sound from behind me on the trail.

That’s when I was struck by the rock and went down.

The fact that I could recall what happened immediately before I blacked out was a good sign, I knew. I figured the doctor would examine me and say that I just needed to rest for several hours and stay awake. I would have to be aware of the symptoms of concussion,