Page 24 of The Girl Who Knew Too Much

“Unfortunately, no,” Oliver said. He sounded grim. “There are several keys to the spa because various departments have reason to go in at various times—housekeeping stocks the robes and towels, the maintenance people have a key, and several members of the spa staff have keys.”

“In other words, someone who wanted to borrow a key for a short time could probably figure out how to do it.”

“Yes.” Oliver hesitated briefly. “Something else has come up. My security people talked to the housekeeping staff.”

“Why?”

“The maids are one of the front lines when it comes to hotel security. No one ever notices them.”

“I see what you mean,” Irene said.

“One of the housekeepers witnessed what was evidently a very hot quarrel between Tremayne and Miss Maitland the day before Miss Maitland died. The maid didn’t catch all the details, but Tremayne appeared to be threatening Maitland.”

“Very interesting,” Irene said.

Oliver watched her intently for an endless moment.

“What?” she finally asked.

“There is one other possibility that should be considered.”

Irene did not move. “Are you about to suggest that I stole the key?”

“It did occur to me.”

“For what it’s worth, I didn’t take it.”

“For what it’s worth,” Oliver said, “I’m inclined to believe you.”

“Really? Why?”

“As far as I can tell, you had no motive to kill Gloria Maitland.”

“All I wanted from her was information.”

“As I said, I’m inclined to believe you.”

“Be still my beating heart.”

Oliver stretched out his bad leg and contemplated her with an unreadable expression. A shiver of knowing iced her nerves. He was waiting for her to make some small slip.

“I’m sure you’ve heard that Nick Tremayne has a fairly good alibi for last night,” she said. “Miss Picton told me he was at a nightclub here in Burning Cove.”

Oliver nodded. “The Paradise Club.”

“You checked?”

“Last night, after you left.”

“Miss Picton said that Tremayne spent the evening there and that several people saw him.”

“People who had been drinking heavily all evening are not the most reliable witnesses. But, yes, it seems he was at the club for at least some portion of the night. Would you care to talk to someone who can provide more details?”

“Of course.” She raised her brows. “I take it you have a witness in mind?”

“The owner of the club, Luther Pell.”

“I would definitely like to ask him a few questions, although he has no reason to tell me the truth.”