Death Takes a Holiday by Elisabeth Crabtree Page B

other.”
    “I don’t think it’s very funny.”
    “No, of course not.”
    “We need to talk to the people I told you about,” Grace said referring to the strange couple Grace had heard plotting a murder earlier. Oddly enough, Henry didn’t seem that concerned.
    “Did you see them enter this room?”
    “No.”
    “Well, then how do you know they were the ones who left the message?” he asked, stroking his mustache.
    “They were talking about killing everyone.”
    “In the observation car?” Henry asked doubtfully. “Where anyone could hear?”
    “Yes,” she admitted hesitantly.
    “Are you sure you didn’t perhaps misunderstand? The train is rather loud.”
    “It’s not that loud.”
    He nry glanced over at the dresser, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Is this yours?” he asked, picking up the framed nursery rhyme.
    “No, I figured it was just decoration.” She looked over his shoulder. “ This is the House Jack Built ,” she read aloud.
    Henry pocketed the frame. “It was probably le ft over from the last passenger. I’m sorry your room wasn’t cleaned. We’re a little short staffed this trip.” He turned back to look at her. “Now, what did you say your name was?”
    “ Grace Holliday.”
    “ Right. Right. Holliday.” Henry pulled out a small notebook out of his breast pocket. “Holliday. Hmm.” He slowly flipped through the pages one at a time. A few seconds passed before he closed the notebook and placed it back into his pocket. “Well, you just stay here. I’ll call the hotel and report this incident, but I don’t want you to worry at all. I’m sure everything’s going to be all right.”
    Grace shook her head. “I’m not staying here. I’m going to find Kyle.”
    “Now, now,” Henry said soothingly. “I’ll find Mr. Drake. You just stay right here.”
    Realizing he wasn’t going to leave until she agreed, Grace nodded her head and sat down on the bed. Satisfied , Henry opened the door still trying to reassure her that everything was okay.
    She figured she’d give the conductor enough time to disappear into the next car before she would begin her own search for Kyle. Picking up her coat, she opened the closet, surprised to see that Kyle had already started to unpack. She made a disgusted noise at what she found inside.
    “Unbelievable.” Reaching out, she pulled out a hideous yellow and purple checkered jacket out of the closet. Grace held out the offending item, resisting the urge to crumple it into a ball. Suddenly, the message on the mirror was a distant memory.
    She quickly hung up the jacket and closed the closet d oor when she heard a soft knock. She opened the door, relieved to see Kyle standing on the other side.
    “Where have you been?” she demanded, worry making her voice sound harsher than she meant it to.
    He waltzed past her. “I’m sorry. I got stuck in the lounge car. I’m telling you it’s a mad house out there, Grace. Really crowded.”
    “Really? ” she asked trying to keep her voice as pleasant as possible. “I thought the maximum amount of passengers the Excursion carried was ten.”
    “Yeah , but when you add in the conductor, the chef and the servers . . . These cars are just so small. It doesn’t take a lot of people to fill them up.”
    “Hmm.” Grace looked thoughtfully at his handsome face. The face of an angel with the heart of P.T. Barnum. “I have an idea. Why don’t we go exploring. Get out of this room for a bit. There’s an observation car—”
    “ But it’s so nice in here. In fact, I feel calmer all ready,” Kyle said leaning back against the headboard. “I think I could spend the whole train ride right here.” Patting the bed, he looked at her seductively. “Here, come sit down.”
    Grace crossed her arms. “ Actually, I’m a bit hungry. I have a great idea. Why don’t I go to the dining car and get us something to eat for lunch?”
    Kyle sat up straighter. “Lunch? Now? It’s only eleven . . . ,” he said