Free Murder in Aruba: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Paradise Book 5) by Penelope Sotheby Page A

Are you all right in there? Answer me." She knocked louder. "Agatha!"
    The door opened a crack, and Agatha peeked out, clutching her robe around her. "Maureen. Hi." She smiled.
    "Are you all right?" Maureen asked.
    "I don't know what you're talking about."
    "I almost had a heart attack when I heard you scream." Maureen's hand went to her throat, still concerned for her guest.
    "It wasn't me. I didn't hear anything, sorry , ” Agatha, still smiling, said, "Thanks for your concern, though," she added and quietly closed her door.
    Maureen walked back downstairs muttering to herself. "Ten years in the business, and I still haven't seen it all." She chortled to herself. "I know my house, and I know she screamed. If she wants to keep it to herself, then that's her business."
    Outside, Maureen looked at her watch then looked down the long drive to the front gate. She shrugged and picked up her gloves and tools.
     
    * * *
     
    Daniel kicked gently against the back door. Maureen put down her dish scrubber and opened the door for him.
    "You bought out half the farmers market, didn't you?" She smiled and reached into the crate Daniel dropped onto the counter.
    "Only a quarter of it today, dear." He leaned over and gave his missus a peck on the cheek. "How was your morning?"
    "Well, aside from Agatha screaming, it was fine."
    "Agatha Thompson? In the Pine Room?" Daniel put a bag of onions in the pantry. "Was she okay?"
    "She says she didn't do it," Maureen said, and handed over a bunch of kale leaves. "Scared me to death. I ran all that way, and she says she didn't do it. Didn't even know what I was talking about."
    "Well, maybe we're getting to that age…"
    "Hush your mouth, Mr. Bennett!" Maureen elbowed her husband affectionately in the ribs. "I'm healthy as a horse—" she knocked on the wooden tabletop, “—and I plan to stay that way."
    Daniel put his arms around his wife. "I'm sorry she scared you. If you think there's a problem, I can ask her to leave."
    "No, it was probably just something private for her, and we need the business."
    Daniel held his wife closer. "When we make it through this season, and get the golf course finished, we can look into that Mexico trip."
    "From your mouth to God's ears," Maureen said, and they put away the rest of the day's groceries.
     
    * * *
     
    Even an idyllic town like South Bay has its fair share of rainy days, and the next morning cast a shadow over the town with a cool fog. Susan Heaney let herself into the house and peeled her thick, woolen coat from her ample and sturdy frame. She liked to arrive a little early and enjoy a cup of tea before setting about, cleaning the inn.
    Maureen and Daniel came down to the kitchen to prepare their world-class country breakfast for themselves and their guests.
    "Good morning, Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Bennett. How many rooms need attention this morning?" Susan stood at attention.
    "Good morning, Susan," Maureen said. She handed the housekeeper a clipboard with a list of current guests and places in the inn that needed a little extra attention. "We've only two guests today. One checked out yesterday, so that's three rooms. There's also a bit of dust and dirt near the front door. I'm afraid I tracked some in after working in the garden. I'm sorry to put it on you, but —"
    "—No problem at all, Mrs. Bennett. And if I may say, the grounds are absolutely lovely."
    "Thank you. Daniel? Will you bring the eggs from the cooler?"
    "Yes, dear."
     
    * * *
     
    Clipboard in hand, Susan checked off all the supplies she needed and put them in a bucket.
    "Paper towels are out again," Susan shook her head and muttered. "I'll have to let Mr. Bennett know. Poor man barely keeps anything stocked up anymore."
    She consulted the guest list. "I'll do the Pine Room first. The guest should be up by now."
    Like a drill sergeant mustering her troops, Susan marched up the stairs and rounded the corner. She raised a hand to knock on the door and saw that it was partially