Checking Inn Read Online Free PDF Page B

need.
    And I got drunk last night because I wished Samantha was dead, but at the same time I was so desperate for a good review.    And now look where I am.    I am never wishing for anything again.
    My breathing starts to come in gasps, and between Becky and myself I am no longer sure who is supporting who.
    “Oh Christ,” Detective Gable says and calls the other detective over to help Becky.  I stand in a state of shock, my lungs struggling to open, the oxygen unable to get down my wind pipe, and I start to see black spots appear in my vision.
    My shaky hand reaches inside my jacket pocket until I can feel the cold plastic and my fingers wrap around it. I bring out my inhaler, shake it vigorously, and take a long inhale.    My breathing slowly returns to normal and I reach my hand out to lean on the wall but stop before I touch it.    I’m not supposed to touch anything in here.
    I’m going to have to keep more inhalers on hand this week.  I’ll have to add it to my list tonight.
    “Is everyone in here?” I hear the voice from the hallway, recognize it immediately, and try to block the doorway.  My one arm still clutches my clipboard, my other traps Detective Gable in the room.
    “Oh, there you are,” my mother says as she enters the sitting room.    “You never told me the address in Ridgewood.”
    My eyes dart to Tracy’s face, but she looks completely dumbfounded.
    “What’s going on?” my mother asks, looking at Becky’s limp form held upright by Luisa.
    No one answers, and I swallow down the panic.
    “What is everyone doing here?” she asks again, and her eyes lock in on the inhaler I have grasped in my hand.  “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” I say, shaking my head.  “There’s a fire inspection and–”
    “I’m sorry, who’s  this ?” I hear the Detective’s exasperated voice from behind me.
    “I’m Tara Foster, Kate’s mom.  I own the Inn with her.”
    The detective moves my arm and steps in front of me, going to the suite’s main door and closing it.
    “Okay, everyone listen very carefully.  This is a crime scene. It has already been heavily contaminated.  No one is to move an inch until the team gets here.”
    “Crime scene?” my mother laughs, but everyone’s serious faces force her eyes to seek mine.  “Kate?”
    “There’s been an accident,” I try and explain.
    “That’s not an accident!” Becky finally comes to and yells.  “She’s been murdered!”
    Not helping the situation.
    “What?   Who’s  been murdered?” my mother raises her voice and I wave my arms to try and quiet both of them.
    “The other guests will hear you!” I frantically whisper.
    “It’s Samantha Manning,” Tracy says.
    My mother gasps.
    “We really should get the team in now, Ben,” Detective Rice says from beside Luisa.
    “Is there absolutely no way to do this without a team?” I ask, pleading with Detective.  “Or, could you maybe ask them to dress in firemen’s costumes?  I could just pop to the party store in the next town–”
    “Are you  serious ?” he asks.
    “How long has everyone known she’s dead?” my mother asks, glaring at me.
    “Not long,” I say, trying to calm the outburst I see brewing on her face.
    “Did you know before asking me to pick up the brochures?” she accuses.
    I avoid her eyes and cover my nose again.  “I can’t remember.”
    “I want to go home!” Becky wails from besides Luisa.
    “Si, I go home now too,” Luisa starts crying.
    “I haven’t touched anything, can I go?” Tracy asks.
    “When were you going to tell me?” my mother asks.  “You never let me be a part of anything!”
    “Quiet!” Detective Gable yells from beside me and I jump as he rubs his forehead in exasperation.  “This is insane.  There is a woman in the next room who has been murdered, you have all contaminated the scene, and you’re asking us to dress up as firemen while figuring everything out!”
    I take in his bewildered