Digging for Dirt (Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mystery Book 9) by Cindy Bell

you’re right,” Sarah agreed.
    “Okay, so if you can man the front desk to field questions, I’ll wait here by Freida’s room in case anyone needs anything.” Vicky tilted her head towards the end of the hallway. “Trevor is out walking, but you might want to stop by Roman’s room and let him know what is happening. He will want a heads up if any media shows up about this.”
    “You don’t think he’d try to spin it into some kind of campaign promotion do you?” Sarah scrunched up her nose with disgust at the idea.
    “I don’t know, but I think it’s best we warn him.” Vicky looked towards the closed door of the room that she knew Roman was staying in. She was surprised that all of the commotion hadn’t drawn him out of his room already. Thinking of that, made her wonder where Ida was. She was always the first to show up when there was drama. Hadn’t she heard the scream?
    “Can you handle it, Vicky?” Sarah asked.
    “Sure, of course.” Vicky nodded. Sarah headed off down the hallway. Vicky nervously walked up to the door. She hadn’t really spoken directly to Roman Blade since he had arrived. She was used to dealing with the wealthy, and even some celebrities, but this was the man who, if elected, would be making decisions for their entire state. She walked up to the door and knocked lightly, twice.
    As she waited for an answer, she caught sight of something fluorescent yellow out of the corner of her eye. She turned her attention fully to it and discovered that it was Ida dressed in the brightest jogging outfit that Vicky had ever seen. Right by her side was Roman Blade, dressed in a much more conservative, navy blue jogging suit.
    “Aunt Ida.” Vicky hurried to her side. “Were you two out jogging this morning?”
    “Yes.” Ida looked at her with concern. “I saw the coroner’s van pull up. What’s happened?”
    Vicky looked from her aunt, to the man standing beside her. She didn’t think about it, she just blurted out the truth.
    “Freida Frans is dead.” She stared at Roman. “We found her this morning.”
    “Oh no!” Ida clasped a hand over her mouth in shock. Roman returned Vicky’s steady stare.
    “How did she die?” he asked.
    Vicky was a little startled by the question. It wasn’t what she was expecting from him.
    “We’re not sure. But most likely from natural causes.” Vicky continued to study Roman intently. “I thought you should know, in case there is any media attention.”
    “Good thinking.” He nodded. He flashed her a brief presidential smile. “I’d better call Trevor and let him know.”
    “Let him know what?” Trevor asked as he walked down the hallway towards them.
    “Oh Trevor, just who I wanted to see.” Trevor looked at Roman with a puzzled expression. “Freida Frans is dead.”
    “What?” Trevor grew pale. He moved out of the way as the fruit basket and food were carried past them. He looked at them with wide eyes.
    “Come to my room so we can discuss this.” As they walked away from Ida, Vicky watched them enter Roman’s room. When she turned back Ida was peering into Freida’s room.
    “How awful,” she sighed.
    “It is.” Vicky frowned. “Sarah is not taking it well.”
    “Of course not.” Ida swept her hand back through her hair and pulled off her bright yellow headband. “Poor Freida. It’s so shocking when someone in the prime of their life suddenly passes.”
    “It is.” Vicky nodded.
    Vicky stepped aside as Freida’s body was wheeled out of her room. She was relieved that there were no guests out in the hall to see it. The officers followed behind her.
    “Just a precaution in case this wasn’t a natural death,” one of the officers said as he put police tape across the door.
    “We’d better take a quick look at the room, make sure everything is in order,” Ida spoke casually once the officers were out of earshot. Vicky couldn’t help but smile a little. She knew that her aunt wanted to get into the room and snoop