Free Killing the Carnations (A Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery) by Cindy Bell

Maybe,” Emily said more quietly. She seemed to begin to realize that she was getting caught in a trap.
    “ It must be so hard, someone as beautiful...” he glanced up at Vicky briefly with an apologetic look before looking back at Emily, “as you are, to have to see someone like Amanda with the man you love.”
    “ What?” Emily asked, her eyes widening. “What are you talking about?”
    “ It's okay, Emily,” Mitchell said calmly. “We know what really happened.”
    “ What do you mean?” she demanded.
    “ Maybe you were hoping that he would leave her for you. Maybe the two of you argued, and you just couldn't help yourself. I know what it's like to feel like things are one-sided, it's like getting slapped across the face.”
    Vicky stepped closer to the butcher's block. She tried to meet Mitchell's eyes, but he was too busy holding Emily's gaze.
    “Did you see Amanda with Charleston? Is that what got you so upset?” he asked with quiet confidence.
    “ Charleston?” Emily shuddered at that very idea. “You think I was in love with that slob? Please, he's nothing like Jeremy.” After she said his name, she reached up and cupped her mouth with her hand. She stared wide eyed at Mitchell, and then looked over at Vicky.
    “ Jeremy?” Mitchell repeated. It was obvious that he had been in the dark on that one.
    “ Jeremy Minkle,” Vicky supplied, “the CEO of Ballant Industries. He and Emily have been having an affair.”
    Mitchell shot a cool look at her, and she knew that he was wondering how long she had known about that.
    “I'm sorry, Vicky,” Emily said quickly. “It just happened last time he was here, and then...”
    “ And then when he came back, it picked right back up?” Vicky suggested and then shook her head. “Emily, we just want to figure out what happened here. Just be honest with Mitchell.”
    “ I'm trying,” Emily promised, she was now very flustered.
    “ What do you know about Charleston's death?” Mitchell asked pointedly. He was taking advantage of her being a little off balance.
    “ Nothing,” Emily said swiftly. “Nothing at all. I'm telling you, nothing,” she insisted.
    Mitchell narrowed his eyes and pulled out his notebook , he jotted something down on it and then looked back up at Emily.
    “ If you know nothing, then you'd be okay with me taking a look around your room?” he asked calmly.
    “ Of course you can,” she shrugged a little and lowered her eyes. “There's nothing for me to hide anymore.”
    Vicky was surprised by this. She knew what was in Emily's closet. She was certain that it was the murder weapon. So why would she be so comfortable with Mitchell looking in her room? Before she could think about it for too long Mitchell was standing up.
    “Let's get that ice cream in the freezer, and go have a look around,” he suggested. His tone was still friendly enough that Emily willingly agreed.
    “ I'll take care of the ice cream,” Vicky volunteered.
    She needed a moment alone to try to piece together the puzzle. Mitchell nodded and led Emily out to her room. Vicky already knew what he would find in her closet. She also knew that it might lead to Emily's arrest. But she was sure that Emily had not committed the crime. What motive could she have to kill Charleston? She didn't seem to have the strength to kill him with a corkscrew. She knew something wasn't quite right. She took the time to sort through all of the information she had swimming through her mind.
    Everything led back to one name. It didn't make sense to her, but it did lead back to only one name. It was a hunch she decided to investigate on her own.

Chapter Seven
     
    Vicky rode the elevator up to the third floor. It was very quiet in the hallway, the sun had not even risen yet. The guests had not begun to wake up. But when she paused beside one door in particular she heard footsteps. Slow, deliberate footsteps. Vicky narrowed her eyes. She considered knocking on the door, but the knob began