She Tried to Poison Me novel · Chapter 16 of 24

Chapter 16: The Cedar Chest

At ten that morning I walked into the lobby of Kessling Lodge with a deputy on one side and Seth on the other.

The room was full of weekend guests with their suitcases.

A family waited at the front desk with two kids and a cooler.

Behind the desk, a young clerk saw my face and went white.

"I'm here for my grandmother's cedar chest," I said.

"It's in the lodge safe, in the office behind this desk."

"Mrs. Kessling isn't taking visitors," said the clerk.

"Then she can say so to the deputy."

The office door opened before he could answer.

Fern stood in it in a cream suit with her pearls on, her silver hair brushed, her hands folded.

She looked rested.

She looked like a woman who had slept in a clean bed with her lawyer's number on the nightstand.

"Emme, dear," she said, in a voice made to carry. "You look dreadful. Are you taking your medication?"

The family at the desk went quiet.

"I came for my chest," I said.

"Which chest is that?"

"My grandmother's. It's been in your safe since the wedding. You said it would be safer."

"Did I?" Fern smiled at the guests. "My daughter-in-law has been unwell. My son is in a terrible state about it."

"Your son is in the county jail," said Seth.

Every head in the lobby turned.

"For setting fire to my boathouse," he went on, evenly. "With me and Emme inside it."

Fern's smile never moved.

"Seth, darling. You're confused again."

The deputy cleared his throat.

"Ma'am, I have a paper from the sheriff to collect the chest."

"I'd like you to open the safe."

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