Chapter 6: The Folio

On Monday morning I went back to Willow Creek by the front door.

Rhonda had given me one job before our first meeting.

"Cory's lawyer will say it was a joke that got out of hand," she said. "Get the hotel's own record of when the wedding was booked."

I was a joint account holder, so the hotel had to hand it over.

The woman at the front desk went to find someone.

I stood in a lobby with a fountain and a chandelier, and I held my bag in front of my stomach.

On Friday I had come in by the staff entrance.

Now I saw the guest book on its stand, and the sign by the conservatory that said Wedding Today.

"Mrs. Kester?"

A man came out of the back office.

It was the one who had held the door.

He wore a gray suit now, with the same badge on the lapel.

Garson Hartigan, Owner.

"I'd rather you didn't call me that," I said.

"What should I call you?"

"Beth."

"Beth." He nodded once. "I'm Garson. I run the hotel."

"Then you know who I am."

"I know you were at the door on Friday."

I waited for him to say sorry or ask if I was okay.

He did neither.

"You'll want the folio," he said. "I printed it myself so nobody has to read it over your shoulder."

He led me into his office and shut the door.

Two chairs, a desk and a window onto the lake.

No photographs of himself.

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