Part 14 (2/2)
Mrs. Carmine hesitated and then stepped back to let them in.
A good-sized crowd was gathered in the entrance hall. Not only Ellie Carmine and Lucky Smith, but Wendy Wyatt-Yarmouth, and two of her friends, the Quebec girl and her boyfriend.
Wendy looked at Smith, sizing up the police jacket and ski pants, red wool gloves, and matching red hat. She didnt bother to contain a sneer. ”Are you the only cop they have in this miserable town? Every time I turn around youre standing there. Nice uniform though.”
Not that Smith cared much about Wendy Wyatt-Yarmouths opinions. In her short career shed already run into plenty of rich types who considered themselves to be above the law, and plenty of young women who wanted to have the female equivalent of a p.i.s.sing contest with a woman cop. Smith reminded herself to be charitable, that Wendy had just lost her brother, and wasnt handling it all that well.
”You should be pleased Constable Smith is so dedicated,” Winters said. ”Perhaps someone can explain the problem before we go any further.”
”All my money and my credit card 'ave been stolen,” the Quebec girl shouted. ”From my room.”
”Were not entirely sure about that.” Mrs. Carmines face was very pale.
”I am sure, Madame.”
Lucky avoided her daughters eyes and put her arm around her friends shoulder.
Winters asked the standard questions. Smith should be taking notes, but not being in uniform she didnt have a notebook with her.
”Is it possible you misplaced the items, Sophie?” Mrs. Carmine asked.
”Non.”
”Did you make a thorough search, sir?” Winters said to the young man. ”Alan Robertson isnt it?”
”Yes. No. Yes, Im Alan and no we didnt search. Sophie said her money was missing and we came downstairs.”
”This is ridiculous.” Wendy almost stamped her foot. ”That girl is obviously up to no good and I for one refuse to stand here chattering about it”-Smith dearly hoped that Wendy Wyatt-Yarmouth would insist on leaving the scene-”while she spends every penny of poor Sophies money. G.o.d, Sophie, youd better cancel your credit cards right away.”
Sophie gasped.
”Who is 'she?” Winters asked. ”Do you suspect someone of taking the money?”
”No,” said Alan and Mrs. Carmine and Lucky Smith.
”Yes,” said Wendy.
”Go on,” Winters said to Wendy.
”Lorraine whats her name, of course.”
”She means Lorraine LeBlanc,” Lucky said.
”You think Lorraine LeBlanc was responsible.” Winters said. ”Why?”
”Why? Its perfectly obvious,” Wendy shouted. She turned to Smith. ”You saw the state she was in last night. Demanding to be included in my family.”
”I dont see...”
”She was in the house. I saw her myself. I demand you arrest her.”
”Is everyone who was in this house today to be arrested?” Winters asked pointedly.
Wendy flushed.
”Before this goes any further,” Lucky said, ”Id suggest we have another search of the room. Sophie, youre sharing the room with Alan, right?”
The girl nodded.
”When two people share close accommodations and a strange room, its easy for things to get misplaced. And Alan,” she smiled sweetly, ”you did say that you only watched Sophie look in the place she thought shed left the money. You didnt actually search.”
Smith glanced at Sergeant Winters. The left edge of his mouth twitched. It was the only sign of a smile he would allow himself.
”Cant hurt,” Alan said to Sophie.
”Thats a perfectly wonderful idea,” Mrs. Carmine said.
”If we must,” Wendy said. She began to turn.
”While Im here, Ms. Wyatt-Yarmouth,” Winters said. ”Id like to speak to you about your brother and Ewan Williams. Perhaps Mrs. Carmine would allow us to talk in the common room.”
Wendy shot daggers at him with her eyes.
”If its okay with Alan and Sophie, Constable Smith will go with them. You wont a.s.sist with the search in any way, Constable. Just observe.”
”Yes, sir,” she said.
The front door opened and Jeremy walked in. He stopped so abruptly that Rob crashed into the back of him.
”Hey,” Rob said. ”Whats all this? Has something happened?”
”Yes,” Wendys thin chest rose with indignation. ”There has been a theft and these cops refuse to do anything about it. Im going to make a complaint.”
”Oh, put a sock in it, Wendy,” Alan said in a tired voice. ”Hard as it is to believe, this isnt about you.”
Wendy sputtered.
”Where the h.e.l.ld you get to anyway?” Alan said. ”We couldnt find you when it was time to leave.”
”I got a ride back.” Jeremy Wozenack smirked at Smith.
”Coulda told us,” Alan mumbled. He led the way to the stairs. Smith and Sophie followed.
The upstairs corridor was wide enough to have a thin-legged mahogany table up against the wall, holding magazines and tourist brochures. The wallpaper was stripped pink and cream above the wainscoting. Paintings of historical scenes lined the walls. Whiskered men in suits and ties or overalls and women in long dresses and big hats.
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