Page 48 of Little Hidden Fears

The spunky teen stayed behind.

“What can I do to help you?” he asked.

“I’m here to see Annie. I’m not sure why the girl from reception got you instead.”

“I’m Clark Fletcher, the manager. Who are you? And what’s your business with Annie?”

Given his curt tone, I had a feeling announcing myself and my intentions for being there wasn’t a good idea, but he’d put me on the spot.

“I was friends with Noelle Winters,” I said. “Before she died, I expressed an interest in becoming a member of the club and taking up tennis lessons. She was going to teach me, but now that she’s gone, I was hoping I might be able to take lessons from someone else.”

He crossed his arms. “What does that have to do with Annie?”

“Noelle and Annie were friends, and I thought Annie might be able to give me advice on who I should take lessons from now that Noelle is ... well, now that she’s passed away.”

“Annie doesn’t mingle much with our tennis instructors.”

“She mingled with Noelle, didn’t she?”

A door opened down the hall, and a woman poked her head out, blinking in our direction. Given Clark’s back was to her, he hadn’t noticed yet. The woman was on the shorter, stockier side, and she was older, in her early seventies, I guessed. Her long, salt-and-pepper hair was braided on both sides.

Clark cocked his head to the side, eyeing me in such a way that told me he wasn’t buying my reason for being there. “You look familiar.”

“It’s a small town.”

“Yes, it is, but where have I seen you before?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t believe we’ve ever met.”

“Not in person, but ...” he paused, then raised a finger. “Ah, I know where I’ve seen you. It was in the newspaper.”

“I can’t remember the last time I was in the newspaper.”

“It was an article about a local detective solving yet another murder. The detective was you. Now, why don’t you tell me the real reason for your visit?”

“I’ve already told you.”

“I don’t believe you’re telling me the truth, and I don’t believe you’re interested in lessons either. If I had to guess, someone’s hired you. Given the police haven’t solved the case yet, it makes sense. Doesn’t it?”

“Can’t a private detective also have an interest in tennis lessons?”

“Are you saying youweren’thired to investigate Noelle’s murder?”

At this point, there was no reason to keep up the ruse any longer.

“You’re right. I was hired.”

“Why are you here? And I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me the real reason this time, if you don’t mind.”

“I know Noelle taught lessons here when she was alive, and I thought it might be helpful to talk to some of her friends, starting with Annie. I also thought Annie would know who else had a relationship with her.”

“The police have already been here. They’ve made their inquiries, and we complied with all their requests. If you’re planning to do the same, and it sounds like you are, coming here is a waste of your time.”

“Why’s that?”

“No one here had anything to do with Noelle’s unfortunate death.”

“To your knowledge. Besides, I didn’t imply that they did. I’m trying to get a better picture of who Noelle was, including her friends.”

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