Page 8 of Death at Inishmore Castle

Outside the door I heard people talking excitedly. Nora and her husband entered. She put on the overhead lights and gasped.

“It’s true,” she said. “What do we do?” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I don’t understand.”

“I tried to call the detective in Shamrock Cove, but the cell towers must be down,” I said. “We tried the landline on the desk, but it didn’t work either.”

“That happens when we have storms,” Gordon, her husband, said. “I’ll drive into town and collect the detective.”

“You can’t go in this weather,” his wife said. “It’s too dangerous.”

“I know, love, but he’s dead. We can’t just leave him like that until the storm clears,” he said. “There is no telling how long that might be.”

“I can come with you,” Scott said.

Gordon nodded, and they took off.

“What should we do?” Nora asked.

“Go back to your guests and don’t tell anyone what’s happened. I’m going to stay here until the detective arrives,” I said. “We need to make certain no one disturbs the scene.”

Nora looked from the priest to me and shook her head. “I don’t suppose there is any chance he just fell on that letter opener.”

I understood her train of thought. She didn’t want to think about a killer being in our midst.

“One can only hope,” I said. “But I doubt it.”

“I cannot believe this is happening. It’s my worst nightmare come to life.”

“It’s not your fault,” Lizzie said, and she put her hands on the other woman’s shoulders. “My sister will figure this out. She’s not just a great mystery writer, the police often have her consult on cases. She’s helped solve quite a few murders.”

Only by sheer dumb luck, but I had a feeling Lizzie would keep that bit to herself.

“Rob and I will stay here and make sure no one enters the crime scene while we wait for the detective.”

“Are you sure?”

“Like Lizzie said, Mercy writes mystery books and works with the police on cases,” Rob said. “She knows what to do and is quite knowledgeable about police procedures.”

Nora glanced at each of us and nodded. “Thank you,” she said. “I’m not sure how I can act like I haven’t had the shock of a lifetime. I don’t think I’m that good of an actress.”

“Just think of playing your role as hostess. For everyone’s sake, try to keep the guests together,” I said. “Until we know what happened—well, it may not be safe. It is important to stay calm. You’re doing it for your guests. It helps no one if people become hysterical.”

I felt sorry for her. It was obvious she and her husband had gone to great lengths to refurbish the castle and the grounds. A bad review involving a murder on their first weekend wouldn’t exactly be great for business.

“It is crazy this is happening. That poor man. He wasn’t the nicest person, but no one deserves to go like that. And to think we have a killer here.” She shivered, as did my sister.

Mr. Poe pawed at Lizzie’s leg, and she scooped him up. He snuggled into her as if he sensed her unease. I don’t think she even noticed what he was doing.

“What if someone asks where he is?” Nora said.

“Just say he’s indisposed.”

“That’s a good idea,” Rob said.

“Did you know much about him?” I asked. “Like, how did he come to be here? And did he and the nun, Sister Sarah, come together?”

“He booked his stay about a month ago,” she said. “From what I understood, he was touring Ireland on holiday. And no, they didn’t come together. She showed up the day after him. But…”

“But what?” I asked.

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