Laina Turner - Presley Thurman 07 - Cupids & Crooks by Laina Turner Page B

lobby I was greeted by a young women passing out what appeared to be a fruity drink of some sort, which I gladly accepted and I took a drink.
    “Ummmm…rum punch. Now I am starting to feel refreshed.”
    “Why don’t you have a seat and enjoy your drink and I will get us checked in.”
    “Thanks, babe,” I said kissing him on the cheek. “You’re too good to me , you know that?”
    “Right. I’ll remember that next time you ’re mad at me,” he joked.

Chapter 2
    “Are you ready?” I asked Cooper, who was still in the bathroom doing who knows what.
    “Just about. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you up and ready to go so early and so fast.”
    “That’s because it’s easier to get up and get dressed when I’m looking forward to my morning coffee by the pool overlooking the ocean. Now hurry up!”
    By the time we had got checked in and to dinner last night the sun had been already going down, so this morning I was excited to enjoy the beautiful sunshine out by the pool followed by a day of doing nothing but laying by the pool drinking beverages appropriate for the time of day. I was thinking mimosas, followed by bloody mary’s, and then moving on to wine. Of course interspersed with naps and reading; I had a new book by one of my favorite authors, Richard David Bach, downloaded on my Kindle ready to go.
    “You look nice. Is that a new suit?”
    “Yep,” I said, happy that he noticed. My new black polka dot two piece bathing suit and black maxi dress I had over the suit fit well considering I hadn’t been to the gym in longer than I could remember. I had thought I had a few more months before needing to don a bathing suit and then this unexpected trip came up. Goes to show you should always be ready.
    “Poolside breakfast?” Cooper asked.
    I looked at him sideways.
    “OK, stupid question. Poolside it is. I assume you wish to relax by the pool today?”
    “Of course. What else?” I replied, putting on my oversized sunglasses to prepare myself for stepping off the elevator into the open-air lobby.
    “Then I assume you won’t mind if I sign up for the golfing excursion?”
    “Not at all. Golf away.”
    The elevator doors opened and we stepped out, but instead of the relaxing tranquility of the main floor we experienced yesterday, and that I had been looking forward too today, the place was crawling with cops and the area of the foyer, which led into the main pool, area was cordoned off with police tape.
    “What the hell is going on here?” I said to Cooper in a loud whisper. I couldn’t help but wonder. These things always got my interest.
    “Let’s not worry about it. We’re on vacation remember? We should be relaxing without a care in the world.”
    “I know that, but aren’t you the least bit curious?”
    “No,” he said.
    “Folks, I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but our poolside area is currently closed. If I could escort you to the patio overlooking the golf course we have a full breakfast buffet being set out as we speak,” a handsome concierge told us.
    “What happened?” I asked him as he led us to the other side of the hotel?
    He was silent for a minute. “Well I’m not supposed to say, but there was a murder this morning,” he said in a hushed tone.
    “Really?” I said leaning a little closer to him.
    “Yes. Lucia Vegas,” he said with a bit of awe in his voice.
    I had no idea who that was and my face must have shown that because he continued.
    “Lucia Vegas is a famous soap opera star here in Mexico. She was staying here for a few days. But you didn’t hear it from me,” he added as an afterthought.
    I made a show of zipping my lips. “They won’t hear it from me.”
    We made it to the patio and Roberto, that’s what his name tag said, waved his arms in the direction of the empty tables. “You can have a seat anywhere you’d like and help yourself to the buffet. Enjoy.”
    “Thank you,” Cooper said.
    After settling down with a cup of coffee and a plate