The Inn at Holiday Bay: Clue in the Clam, Kathi Daley [early reader chapter books TXT] 📗

Annabelle continued to ask questions, and Chris continued to answer. It was an interesting discussion, but I really wanted to talk to Sydney again before she left for the airport, so I suggested a walk.

“It must be fun to have so many different guests, each with their own story to tell,” she said as we set off down the bluff with the dogs.

“I have to admit that I’ve met some very interesting people since opening the inn. Several of our guests have decided to stay in the area, and I consider them to be friends, and others send notes and emails after returning to their homes. Georgia really tries to get to know each guest.”

“Georgia reminds me a lot of my sister, Emily. Given its location and the amenities offered, the resort at Castaway Bay has always been a very cool place to visit, but when Emily moved home, she brought something more. She’s the frosting on the cake that seems to give the resort its heart.”

“Does she take the time to get to know the guests?”

Sydney nodded. “Not only that, but she has this very calming and nurturing side to her. Emily’s not only a fantastic mother, but she’s the domestic diva of the family as well. She loves to cook and sew, and she’s always planning parties and events. Emily does crafts with the guests, which many declare is the reason they come back every year. And most importantly, she has a knack for remembering the little things about each guest, like their favorite flower or favorite meal. She just has that special something that makes a great place to vacation feel like coming home.”

I smiled. “I get that. Georgia is the same way. I think the ability and desire to connect personally with everyone you meet is a trait you’re born with. I’m interested in our guests, and I want them to have a pleasant stay, but it’s Georgia who makes everyone who stays with us feel like family. I’d love to meet Emily someday.”

“You should totally come and visit the resort. It’s really something special. And bring Georgia if you can both manage to get away at the same time. I’m sure she would get along great with Emily. They really are very similar.”

“I’ll try to work it out to make the trip west, and I hope you’ll let me know if you come back to Maine in the future.”

“I will. I’ve really enjoyed my short stay. I wish I could have stayed longer, but duty calls.”

“You mentioned that you’ve been called back early to deal with a different serial killer than the one you came here to investigate. Can you talk about that case?”

She hesitated. “I suppose I can tell you the parts that have already been reported by the press. None of that is a secret, and it’s all information you can find on your own. Beyond that, I can’t really share the details about an ongoing case.”

“I get it. That’s fair.”

She slowed her pace a bit as she began to speak. “The serial killer I’ve been called back to deal with hasn’t been identified yet. What we know is that someone killed a woman named Patricia Taylor in June of two thousand eleven. She was twenty-eight at the time and had worked as an insurance agent. Her body was found floating in the bay, and her killer was never identified. Then in March of two thousand twelve, the body of a cocktail waitress named Crista Allen was also found floating in the bay, as were Lois Starlight in December of two thousand thirteen, Jessica Hamilton in two thousand fourteen, and Michelle Post and Ellen Pomeroy in two thousand fifteen. Following that, Fran Martin was found in April of two thousand sixteen, Aileen Waters was found in October of that same year, and Rena Stewart was found the following December. In all, there were nine women found between June of two thousand eleven and December of two thousand sixteen.”

“I remember that,” I said. I’d been living in San Francisco at the time. The women’s deaths had been all over the news once it was suggested that a single person had carried out all the deaths. “Each of the victims had a new tattoo on their shoulder when their body was found. A Roman numeral number two.”

Sydney nodded. “Yes. Each victim did have a new tattoo which law enforcement believe was part of whatever process this killer adhered to. You probably also remember that the killings stopped after Rena’s body was found in December of two thousand sixteen. At least for a while. Then, in March of last year, a woman named Josie Stanton was found floating in the bay with the same tattoo.”

“Might you have a copycat on your hands?”

“We considered that, but there were other details I can’t comment about that led us to believe that Josie was killed by the same person who went on a spree beginning in two thousand eleven.”

“And have there been others?” I asked.

She nodded. “After Josie, Tracy Longinese was found floating in the bay in November of last year, and Susana Parks was found in April of this year. The body of a nurse’s aide was discovered this past Tuesday. The remains fit the same MO as the other women.”

“Which is why you were called home.”

She nodded.

“I know you probably can’t say much beyond what you’ve already told me, but do you have any idea who might be doing this?”

She frowned. “Who? No. But after Josie turned up dead, I went back through the notes of everyone who’d worked on the case, and I found something no one had noticed before. Actually, I found a couple somethings, and while I can’t comment on what I found, I can say that I think we