Page 85 of Dead Serious Case 4 Professor Prometheus Plume
“Bertie had the most genius idea!” he announces. “I mean, we were thinking about what you said. How the hotel might not be doing too well and what would happen if we couldn’t get any guests and had to close. Well, we’ve already had a murder, which is brilliant.” He glances over to Professor Plume, who is sitting in one of the waiting-area armchairs next to Dr Walsh, who is still snoring loudly on the sofa and clutching his empty decanter. “I mean, not for you, obviously,” he says to Professor Plume, who has apparently passed through all the stages of grief and arrived atsalty as hellas he glares at them.
“Anyway, what we needed was a gimmick. You know, to bring guests in,” Roger explains with glee. “And what’s more exciting than a haunted hotel?”
Bertie looks inordinately pleased with herself. “We thought if we freaked out the fleshies, they could go and spread the word. This place will be booked solid before you can sayBlithe Spirit.”
“So brilliant,” Roger declares in admiration as he looks at Bertie.
“Thank you, Roger,” Bertie says smugly.
“Will you two stop congratulating each other and tell the others to tone it down before they hurt someone?” I hiss.
“You said you needed us to help, lad.” Bertie frowns. “I must say, we’re getting very mixed signals from you.”
“That’s not what I said,” I snap. “And I meant for you to stop shooting people’s car windows with a double-barrelled shotgun, stop interrupting meals, and stop moving furniture around. I didn’t say go full-on Amityville.”
Bertie stares at me blankly. “Is that a place in Wales?”
We duck as a vase comes flying at us and smashes on the wall behind, showering us with bits of porcelain.
“I say!” Bertie shouts. “Be more careful! Leona, put down the Carlson, that’s been in the family for generations.”
She stalks off abruptly with Roger skipping after her amidst the destruction.
“They’ve gone completely mad,” I say faintly.
I feel Danny grab my arm and tow me out of the lobby. Some of the others move to follow, but Danny holds up his hand to stop them. “No, you stay here. I need to speak with Tris in private.”
He opens the nearest door and pushes me into what turns out to be the library. Closing the door to shut out the insanity, he falls back against it before leaning over and bracing his hands on his knees. I see his shoulders shaking and my belly swoops.
Oh my god, I’ve pushed him too far. He’s finally had enough. He’s going to end up breaking up with me and going and finding a nice, normal partner.
“Danny?” I swallow against the sudden dryness in my mouth. “Danny?”
He lifts his head and I see tears in his eyes, and it’s only then that I realise he’s laughing.
“Danny?” I say again, warily. “Are you okay? Have I broken you?”
He sucks in a deep breath and pushes away from the door, stepping towards me and talking my hands.
“This place…” He laughs again. “This weekend… It just sums up our whole life. I keep waiting, trying to find the right moment to tell you…”
“Oh my god, youarebreaking up with me.” My stomach clenches and he releases my hands to cup my face.
“No, Tris, I’m not breaking up with you. Where on earth would you get an idea like that?”
“Because this whole insanity isn’t going to get any better,” I burst out. “It’s going to keep following me wherever I go. You can’t ever have a normal life with me.”
“I don’t want normal,” he says fervently. “I want you. I–”
I turn my head slowly to find Dusty standing so close to us we’re almost in a group hug. Her eyes are wide in anticipation and her smile is almost frightening as she clutches her hands to her chest and watches with an avid gaze. In fact, she’s got the same expression of anticipation she gets when watching the closing scenes ofDirty Dancingat the point where Patrick Swayze says,Nobody puts Baby in a corner.
“What are you doing?” I mouth.
“Oh sorry,” she says and steps away. “Nothing. I’m just… I’ll just go over here for a moment and find a book on…” She scans the nearest bookshelf. “Uh…Going Round the U-Bend, a Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Plumbing.” She reaches for the book, but it doesn’t seem to budge even though she has the ability to easily move corporeal objects.
Trying to tune her out, I turn back to Danny, aware that she now has her platform-clad foot braced against the shelf and is tugging on the book.
Wow, she must really want to know about unclogging drains.