Free Death Knell In The Alps (A Samantha Jamison Mystery) by Peggy A. Edelheit Page A

focus on what to do here,” I said.
    “Let’s case the lobby, Betty,” suggested Hazel. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and spot who this Herr Kraus is.”
    “I’ve got to find that cleaning couple,” said Martha.
    “I need to make some calls about Peter,” added Mona.
    They all looked toward me. “And I’ve got to find Hans.”
    Betty paused at the door. “Be careful. Hazel and I will thoroughly case the lobby then walk the grounds out back.”
    Hazel turned to Betty. “ Case is a great word use, Betty.”
    Betty nodded. “Well, in this case , you would normally use the word case as a noun, but I thought using it in its verb form was a nice touch: very apropos in this situation.”
    Martha ushered them out the door, shaking her head.
    “Ladies, this is not the time for old B movie jargon.”
    Betty frowned. “But you see? That’s the whole point.”
    Martha stopped walking. “What is?”
    “Those phrases sum up precisely what we’re doing.”
    “It’s a colorful way to speak too,” added Hazel.
    I faintly heard Martha say, “Well, I’ve got colorful…”
    Mona looked at me. “You do realize those three could screw up everything.”
    I was staring at the closed door, now a little worried.
    “They looked a little tipsy, didn’t they?”
    Mona chuckled. “Who would notice the difference?”
    I shrugged. “They do come up with results, though.”
    Mona reluctantly nodded. “That is what’s so scary.”
    “Good thing they’re walking,” I said.
    “Forget that. It’s the talking, I’m worried about.”

 
     
     
    Chapter 36
    “And Then There Was…”
     
     
    “And then there was…”
    By the time I finished on the phone, running the outline of my new mystery by Sandra, my agent, who miraculously was somehow still my friend, I was met with total silence.
    I’ve been known to stretch the truth a time or two with missed deadlines, stretches of time with no communication and pitching hard-to-believe stories. This usually ended up with her taking the heat from my publisher, who was more interested in his profit margin and what would sell, certainly not speculation.
    Always defending me over the years, Sandra ultimately became a good friend. So I was grateful when she gave me feedback and advice. Besides, I wasn’t close to an ending on this one. I was simply looking for a positive response.
    “…Are you still there?” I asked, thinking maybe we had been disconnected accidentally. But then a second or two later, I figured maybe she’d actually hung up.
    … Silence.
    “…Sandra?”
    “…This actually happened, is happening ? ” she asked.
    Doubt had entered the picture.
    “As far as I can tell…”
    “Sam, talking to you is such a challenge.”
    “…Look, I only have a few loose ends to tie up.”
    I heard a loud sigh at the other end of the line.
    “You have to trust me on this. It shows real promise.”
    “So do a lot of other authors,” she shot back.
    Ouch!
    “I deserved that, ever since…”
    I left the rest unspoken. She knew I was referring to the unexpected death of my husband, Stephen, and what a rough time I had afterward getting through my next book. She was there for me as a staunch supporter, encouraging me with some much-needed tough love and a reality check regarding my contract.
    “Enough said. Go with it,” she finally said. “It’s good.”
    “…You mean you like it so far?”
    “I know I’m going to regret this, but yes, I do.”
    “I knew you’d like the take on this one.”
    “It’s unusual. Just do me one favor, okay?” she asked.
    “Sure, what?”
    “Try not to get yourself carved up like your Spanx .”
    “I’ll be careful. Hey, did I mention I’m skiing here?”
    “Now I’m really concerned.”
    “What do you mean?” I asked innocently.
    “Physically you’re lousy at sports.”
    “But mentally I’m at the top of my game.”
    She laughed. “That’s what has me so worried.”
    “If I didn’t know you so well, Sandra, I’d