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“Leeza and Bethany are very good friends. If anyone knows what those two are arguing about, it’s Leeza. As for the guys, as far as I know, they have a back-slapping kind of friendship. If they confide in each other, they certainly don’t when I’m around. It’s just a lot of playing video games, watching sports, and drinking. Manly stuff,” he said sarcastically as he puffed out his chest.
Sasha rewarded him with a little laugh.
“Anything else we should know?” Leo asked.
Brian hesitated for a moment, balled both hands into fists, and stared down at the table. “There is one thing.”
Leo’s interest sparked and he leaned forward. Beside him, Sasha did the same.
Brian addressed the table. “After Annette found her brother’s body, I was able to get a signal—briefly.”
“Did you call for help?” Leo asked.
“I tried. The emergency lines were overloaded. I figured everyone was calling 911 about the blizzard. So, I found a phone book behind the reception desk and tried the number for the local police station. I spoke to an Officer Duncan. I told him there was a dead man, but while I was explaining where we were, the line went dead. I haven’t had a signal since.”
“How long was the call?” Sasha asked. “A guess is fine.”
“No longer than thirty seconds. Probably shorter,” Brian replied. “Is that long enough for them to get a location?”
Sasha looked at Leo.
He shrugged. “Hard to say. They’re likely not set up to trace.”
“Listen, please don’t mention this to the others. They don’t know.”
“Why didn’t you tell them?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. But I’m glad I didn’t. If one of them did kill Rex, I don’t want to put a target on my back or Annette’s. Can we keep this between us?”
Leo frowned. Under the table, Sasha pinched his leg. Hard.
“Sure thing,” he muttered.
“I appreciate it,” Brian said with a relieved sigh.
“I’ll walk you back,” Sasha told him, popping out of her seat.
CHAPTER11
Sasha walked Brian back to the parlor and smiled as they neared the door, and a familiar sound filled the air. Her heart swelled. Chris was playing the song he’d composed as Sasha and Leo’s wedding gift.
She nodded to Daniel as they entered the room. “I was hoping your husband would play this song this weekend. Not necessarily under these circumstances, though.”
Daniel gave her a wry look. “I have to say, you might have the worst luck when it comes to celebrations.”
“You think?”
“It’s looking that way.”
“How are people’s spirits in here?” she asked as Brian bolted across the room and embraced his wife.
Daniel scanned the gathered people with a practiced eye. He was not only a hand-to-hand combat instructor; he was a former military officer. “They’ve calmed down a lot. The initial adrenaline’s wearing off, the shock is sinking in. Maisy’s chatting them up and asking them about their childhood pets and favorite movies. And not for nothing, but it sounds like their friend was a peckerhead. They’re talking about him, some. Nothing major yet, but I’m keeping an ear out.”
“That’s why you’re in here,” Sasha told him, “to gather intel. And to make sure Maisy stays out of trouble.”
“I’m good, Sasha, but I’m not a miracle worker.”
They shared a laugh. And as if she knew they were talking about her, Maisy traipsed over and wrapped an arm loosely around Sasha’s waist. “There you are, sugar. You want to have a drink?”
