Free Untimely Death by Elizabeth J. Duncan

and guest book. Phil dinged the bell, and a moment later, a door behind the desk opened and Harvey Jacobs presented himself.
    “Oh,” he said, peering from one to the other, “how may I help you gentlemen?”
    “We’ve come to pick up something from Charlotte Fairfax,” said Ray. “If you would please let her know we’re here?”
    “Yes, of course.” Harvey picked up the phone on the desk, entered four digits, and waited. “Oh, Aaron, it’s you. Is Charlotte there?” He listened for a moment. “No, just tell her I’ve got two police officers in reception to see her. They’re here to pick something up.”
    He replaced the receiver. “If you’d like to have a seat, she’ll be right with you.”
    “That’s all right,” said Phil. “We’ll stand.”
    “Very good. Well, if you don’t need me for anything else, I’ll get back to my work.” Jacobs disappeared back through the door, leaving Phil contemplating several rows of old-fashioned pigeon holes and dozens of room keys hanging from little hooks. He placed his forearm on the reception desk, leaned on it, and turned to Ray.
    “I remember those days,” he said in a low voice, “when you’d get your room key and then leave it at the desk when you went out so they’d know when the room was unoccupied. I didn’t know hotels still had proper keys. Thought they all had swipe cards now.”
    “Apparently not,” said Ray. He stiffened at the sound of approaching footsteps, and a moment later, Charlotte, carrying Lauren’s black tote bag, trotted into the lobby. She smiled a hello at both of them and asked after Phil’s family.
    “I didn’t really go through it,” she said as she handed the bag to Ray. “Just checked the wallet to make sure it was hers. That’s when I saw the different name. Leah Patricia Kaplan. Aaron told me she and her group of mean girls bullied his cousin to death about seven years ago.”
    “Jeez,” said Ray. “Really? That’s terrible.”
    “And I looked for the Tylenol, as you asked.”
    “Okay,” said Ray. “Phil’s going to take the bag over to the hospital now and see if Lauren’s up to talking to him. She’s the only one who can tell us what happened.”
    Charlotte said good-bye and disappeared back into the building as the two police officers left. When the lobby was empty, Harvey Jacobs remained where he was, his mind whirling, and then closed the little panel that served as the false back to a pigeonhole. This wasn’t the first time he’d been grateful to his father for installing the peephole that let him see and hear what was going on at the reception desk and in the lobby without being observed.
    *
    “She’s showing a lot of improvement this morning,” said the nurse as she led Phil to Lauren’s room. “In this type of situation, once the patient turns the corner, recovery can be very quick. Especially if she’s young and fit and the amount of drug taken is below a certain threshold. She’s very lucky, though, that she hasn’t suffered any organ damage. In fact, after the doctor’s finished his rounds, she could be discharged later today. We don’t like to keep anyone in longer than necessary.”
    “Good to hear,” said Phil. “Before we go in, could I just ask you a few questions about this Tylenol overdose?” The nurse answered his questions and then opened the door to Lauren’s room. Phil followed her in and waited while she took Lauren’s pulse. The nurse gave him a brief nod and then spoke to her patient.
    “Sergeant Phil Davenport from our local police would like to ask you a few questions, Lauren, if you feel up to speaking with him.”
    “Sure.”
    “Don’t be too long,” the nurse said to Phil as she prepared to leave the room. “We don’t want to tire her out.” She lowered her voice and with her back to her patient, added, “If she shows any signs of distress, you should stop.”
    Lauren was wearing the pale yellow nightdress Charlotte had chosen for her that Ray