The Extinguished Guest (A Lexie Starr Mystery, Book 2) by Jeanne Glidewell Page A

vacate the room. Now I had no choice but
     to risk being caught in Boris's bedroom because I had to retrieve the papers, if at
     all possible.
    I rushed up the hall, nudged open his door again, relieved to discover the door to
     his restroom was still closed. What I'd have done had he been standing stark naked
     in the middle of his room, I'm not sure. Fortunately, for me, that wasn't the case.
    I heard sounds coming from behind the still-closed bathroom door. It sounded as if
     Boris was hanging a towel on a towel rack and stepping into bathroom slippers. I grabbed
     the file off the bed and headed back out the door in one swift motion. As I stepped
     into the hallway, I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of the bathroom door
     opening. I felt lightheaded after my frightfully close call as I unlocked the door
     to my room and quickly stepped inside.
    I stashed the papers in the outer zippered pocket of my suitcase, and collapsed on
     my bed. My knees were shaking, and it took me several minutes to calm down. I went
     to the bathroom sink, splashed cold water on my face, and ran a brush through my hair.
     When I looked in the mirror I saw curly, highlighted hair that appeared dull and dry,
     and bloodshot, light-brown eyes with dark bags beginning to form beneath them. I was
     stunned by my own appearance. I needed a good night's sleep to recharge my internal
     battery.
    Finally, I felt collected enough to make my way toward the parlor. I looked through
     the glass doors, as I passed the library, and noticed Alma Turner removing a book
     from the history section. Harry was not with her.
    In the parlor, Rosalinda Swift was conversing with Cornelius Walker as they sat on
     high-backed chairs in front of a roaring fire in the fireplace. I heard Rosalinda
     titter after Cornelius said, "You see, I've always felt I was a lesbian trapped in
     a man's body."
    I gave Cornelius's statement some consideration and then asked the pair if they'd
     seen Harry Turner recently. I soon realized Rosalinda wasn't tittering with amusement
     from Cornelius's quip, but rather, she was tanked out of her gourd. "Tarry Hurner?"
     she asked, as she tried to focus on me with her glazed and bloodshot eyes. "Tarry's
     not in dis woom white now, Wexie."
    "Uh, yes, I can see Harry's not in the parlor, Rosalinda. Do you happen to know where
     exactly he is?"
    Cornelius draped his arm around my shoulder, and pulled me toward him. "Rosalinda's
     had a long afternoon, my dear," he said. "Harry's out on the back porch, I believe.
     Would you like me to take you to him? Perhaps we can duck into the hall closet on
     the way. We should spend a few minutes getting better acquainted."
    "No thanks, Cornelius. I can find him on my own. You stay here and keep an eye on
     Ms. Swift. She seems to be a bit under the weather."
    "Don't worry, Lexie, she'll be all right. Doctor Walker will take care of Rosalinda."
    I pulled away from Cornelius's embrace and excused myself. I was relieved Harry was,
     indeed, resting on the back deck, and he was alone. He was bundled up in a thick woolen
     scarf and a heavy parka, and was staring off into space, seemingly deep in thought.
     He stood next to the dirt-filled planter Otto had run his fingers through.
    "Good afternoon, Mr. Turner," I said, in greeting. "Mind if I join you?"
    "Not at all," he said, turning his attention toward me. "How are you feeling today,
     Lexie? You had us all worried last night. I can't imagine how you would come to swallow
     a poison like tansy oil. That's highly unusual."
    "I know. I can't imagine it either, but I'm fine now. Thanks for asking. Do you mind
     if I ask you a personal question? It's something that's just come to my attention.
     It has me perplexed and more than a little curious."
    "Depends on what you want to know, but I'll try to answer your question if I can."
    "Harry, I can't explain how right now, but I've discovered you've been making a monthly
     stipend to D&P Enterprises. A