Murder in the Winter by Steve Demaree Page A

there before
you?”
    “No possibility of that, Lieutenant. Those of us who
work here are the only ones who know how to get to the roof, and no one ever
goes up there except me.”
    “Did you by any chance look out over the parapet while
you were up there shoveling?”
    “I didn’t have time. I just barely got it finished in
time for lunch. Just after that you showed up, and then that woman came. That’s
why I didn’t have the drive shoveled before you got here. It takes so long to
do the roof. See not only do I have to shovel all the way around the roof, but
I have to lift the shovel and throw the snow over the side. Believe me, after doing
that a few times my muscles get sore.”
    “Yes, I can see where they would. Manfred, I understand
that part of your duties at the inn include parking cars and carrying luggage
to the rooms. Am I correct?”
    “That’s right, Lieutenant. Among other things.”
    “Did you by any chance carry Mr. Mycroft’s luggage to
his room when he arrived?”
    “I did, Lieutenant.”
    “That was on the back hallway, away from the other
guests?”
    “That’s right.”
    “Any idea why his room was so far away from the other
guests?”
    “The missus told me that it was because he and Mr. Longworth
had some business to discuss.”
    “Any idea what business that was?”
    “Well, I hope I’m not talking out of turn. I can’t
afford to lose my job.”
    “No, it’s okay to tell me. It’s really not all that important,
and it is just between us. I’m just curious.”
    “My missus says Mrs. Longworth told her that Mr. Mycroft
was an actor, and Mr. Longworth was planning on using him when they started featuring
plays again.”
    “And when is that?”
    “Mr. Longworth acted like it would be soon, but with
Mr. Mycroft’s death, who knows?”
    “Any idea if any of the other guests were here for
that reason?”
    “Sorry, I can’t help you there.”
    “Another question. Did you park Mrs. Dukenfield’s car
when she arrived?”
    “Aye, that I did.”
    “And what kind of car does she drive?”
    “Actually, you might be surprised to know she drives a
truck. I know I was. As a matter of fact, it looks a lot like the truck that
new fellow drove up in this morning.”
    “You mean Mr. Williams?”
    “I guess that’s his name. I didn’t get it.”
    “Well, I’ll have to check his truck.”
    “You’ll have to wait until later. He left a few
minutes ago.”
    “Left? Left the inn?”
    “That’s right.”
    “Did he check out?”
    “I have no idea about that. I just saw him drive away
when I looked out the window.”
    “And how long ago was this?”
    “Twenty or thirty minutes. It wasn’t long after your
man here came down the hall with the boss.  I mean I guess it was him. It was a
dark-colored truck like his or that old lady’s. I couldn’t see who was driving
it.”
    I excused Manfred Mitchuson and asked him to send his
wife in. While he was away, I called the department to see if they could
intercept a dark-colored truck coming from the Precipice Point Road. I didn’t
need to give them any more information. There wouldn’t have been more than one
truck coming from the inn.
    I hung up just as Mrs. Mitchuson knocked. I asked her
the same questions I asked her husband, plus asked if she saw anything unusual
in any of the rooms as she cleaned them. Her answers matched her husband’s and
she saw nothing out of the way.
     
    +++
     
    With nothing going the way I wanted, I needed a break.
It was almost lunch time. Lou and I decided to wait in the sitting room until
lunch was served. In the meantime, we would pray that the food would be
acceptable. I didn’t have time to run in to the Blue Moon to eat, and they
don’t deliver. Well, maybe they would to their two best customers.
    Lou and I sat and ate an uneventful lunch with Tony
McArthur. At least he hadn’t disappeared. He looked much less at ease than he
did the night before. Could he have something to hide? Or is it merely