Room 303: A Marice Houston Mystery, #3

By Dellani Oakes

Marice is back. Like always, trouble seems to follow her around, especially when she gets around her friend, Todd. He's trying to move on, after the incident with Orson Roberts a year or so ago, but finding it hard. Fortunately, he's found a lady friend to help him, Emily. Unfortunately, she's got secrets, which catch up with her. When on their first date, Emily is shot, and Todd's up to his ears in freaky intrigue once more. With the help of Marice and friends, he's doing his best to muddle through and find out what went wrong in Room 303.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pennywise Press
• Release date: Jun 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393089117

Dellani Oakes

Dellani is a happily married mother of four—three boys and a girl. She also has one beautiful, golden haired granddaughter. She lives in the sunny, hot climes of Florida's east coast, not far from World Famous Daytona Beach. Dellani once told her publisher that she had enough books, finished & unfinished, to keep him busy for the next 10 years. He didn't believe her, but he should have. A few years later, she's upped that number. She has 53 finished novels, Conduct Unbecoming is her sixth published novel. Dellani hosts two shows a month on Blog Talk Radio – Dellani's Tea Time and What's Write for Me, which air on the Red River Radio Network. Look for Dellani's shows the second Monday of the month and the fourth Wednesday. Both shows air at 4:00 PM Eastern time.

Book preview

Pennywise Press

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, locations and events are either a product of the author’s imagination, fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any event, locale or person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2020 by Dellani Oakes

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or part in any format.

First Pennywise Press edition published June 2020.

Cover design by Suzette Vaughn

Manufactured in the United States of America

Room 303 is dedicated to my husband, who doesn't mind if I lose myself in my fantasy world as long as I come back long enough to cook supper.

To my daughter, who is, quite simply, awesome.

To my sons, who think their mom is a little crazy, in a good way.

To my granddaughters, who are the light of my life.

And finally, to my parents, who provided me with my early love of the written word.

Chapter 1

Straightening up, Todd held his back with both hands. The advantage to running a motel was that he didn't have yard work. The disadvantage was that something always needed fixing or cleaning. He had a fantastic housekeeping crew and a couple guys who did maintenance, but sometimes things broke and there was no one to fix them but him. This time, the drain pipe on the ice machine had cracked and he had water all over the breakfast room. He'd mended the pipe, though it looked like hell. It was in a closet, so looks didn't matter, so long as it held. Now for the mopping up.

The bell over the front door sounded and he knew someone was in the office. One second! he called. Turning too suddenly, he slipped in the puddle and landed ass over head in a heap. Yelling and cursing, he struggled to rise, but kept losing his purchase. Soaked, sore and humiliated, he sat in the inch deep water to regroup.

Someone trotted into the room behind him. You okay? her voice was husky, breathless.

Marice?

Choosing her steps with care, she picked her way over to him. What did you do to yourself, Mr. Englund?

I'd think that would be obvious, Deputy Houston.

Laughing, she braced herself, putting out a hand. Todd grabbed it and she pulled, but hadn't counted on him losing his balance again. He was taller, weighing half again as much. Both of them splashed to the floor giggling.

I hope Kris isn't here.

He's at the house. I think knees are our best approach, she decided, after assessing their predicament.

Nodding, he waited until she was out the door before following her. Once they were both standing, he offered her a towel.

What did you do?

Pipe broke on the ice machine.

Inconvenient.

Little bit. What brings you south?

Kris had to check on his house. He's thinking about renting. We don't want to sell right now, maybe in a few months.

Significance to the time frame?

Slow market. She gave her friend a once over. You look tired. Life treating you okay?

Better than some, worse than others. You, on the other hand, look half drowned, and still too gorgeous for words. Looks like he agrees with you, he gave a slightly disappointed sigh.

Very much so.

Coffee? he asked with forced brightness.

Thought you'd never ask. You're falling down on the job, Englund.

Literally. He took her towel and tossed it on the floor to help soak up water. Shutting the door, he hoped that some of it would be taken in by the floor drain, but he was afraid it might need snaking. Another job to be done.

Ushering her into his living room, he headed to the kitchen. She followed him, admiring some new décor. He had interesting ceramic pieces on a shelf.

Where'd you get the pots?

Trying my hand at it. It's good, helps me work off some— He didn't complete the sentence.

You need a girlfriend.

Yeah, well the best one's taken.

She frowned slightly, tilting her head to the left. Things didn't work out with Sherlene? I'm so sorry. You seemed so well suited.

"We were—are. The sex is great, but the distance is hard. With her mom sick, and me with this place, neither of us can move. So we hook up once in awhile, but it's been quite awhile."

You got a new machine! She admired his sparkling Keurig coffee maker on the counter. What happened to environmentally friendly Todd?

I have reusable cups, and fill them with my own blend. Their stuff is good.... He set the cup before her, fresh and hot.

Yours is better. Inhaling happily, she enjoyed the dark brew. Strong, mellow, delicious.

Thanks. I'm glad you like the coffee, too. He winked one bright blue eye, when she pretended to take a swing at him.

How's the Marshal business? He stirred sugar and cream into his coffee, leading her to the kitchen table. They were too wet for the living room.

Predictably entertaining. I've just come home from a detail in Florida. Crazy business!

I heard about it on the news. Twenty people all together?

Nineteen. One among the many, was a dupe. The rest, horrible people who deserve to meet Old Sparky.

You mean that? 

I never met so many reprehensible creatures in my life.

How did this happen? Doesn't someone oversee?

The director of that particular facet, was the ring leader. Luckily, not all the people under her were guilty. Most of them are good people, and had no idea all this was going on. She was superb at covering her tracks.

What triggered it?

Agent Olivia Perez pulled the wrong strings, when she tried to liberate her lover from federal custody.

He must be a hell of a guy.

She. The second deadliest woman I've ever met. The only one worse was Director Finetti.

He shuddered and took a sip of his coffee. Cheerful subject. He flashed a million dollar smile. I have good news. Patti found a man, and she's only taking local runs now. Jaret graduates in the spring and he's been working with me nearly full time. Once he's done with school, I'm hoping to take a vacation.

Good. You need a break. Plans?

Travel. I haven't been out in the real world for ages. I've got an old college buddy who lives in Idaho and another in Virginia, so I think I'll just make a loop.

Big loop.

I have other friends along the way, and Patti said she can set me up with her contacts, and the best route. I plan to take an entire month, maybe more.

I think that's a great idea. Are you planning on going back to teaching?

He shook his head sadly. Not at the college, per se. Too many bad memories. However, they've opened an online forensics class, and hired me to do lectures on video. I don't have to grade papers or anything. They set me up in a lab, and let me talk while they film me.

Why isn't the professor doing it?

He chuckled, shaking his head. He's the most boring man alive. He's brilliant, but monotone, like the dude in Ferris Bueller.

Not to mention, she gestured at him like Vanna White. Eye candy.

Blushing, he ducked his head. Thanks for noticing.

I may be engaged, I'm not blind.

Kris doesn't mind that you're here?

She didn't reply, but sipped her coffee.

Or he doesn't know that you're here?

He knows.

But he's pissed about it. Dammit, Marice. You can't jeopardize that relationship for me.

I'm not. He has to get over being jealous of you, sometime. He can't keep thinking that every man I meet wants to bed me.

"But every man you meet does want to bed you," he teased.

Marice made a face at him. He fails to realize that if any man takes a notion of pushing his affections, I'll club him.

Todd burst out laughing. White, even teeth flashed in a huge grin. Blue eyes twinkled behind his black framed glasses. His hair stuck up in even more bizarre points than usual, after his dousing in the puddle, and subsequent toweling. He was very handsome, something she managed to downplay when she was away from him. She had, briefly, been very attracted, but she was extremely happy with Kris.

They talked about an hour, having another cup of coffee in the meantime. She drank entirely too much of it, but working the hours she did, she had to. Even on her days off, she poured too much caffeine into herself. Todd's coffee was too good to pass up, though. Her phone chimed and she looked at a text from Kris. It was a giant question mark.

Summoned? he asked, tone slightly chilly.

Requested. You'll be okay with the water now, won't you? I don't have to supervise?

I'm fine. I'll wait until Jaret gets here, in case I take another spill.

You aren't hurt, are you?

No. Just my pride. I hated that you saw me like that.

The good news is, you could win a wet tee shirt contest at the drop of a hat. Or pants.

Waving saucily, she strutted out, leaving him damp and horny. He still wasn't dry everywhere, which was causing chafing. He changed clothing, and greeted Jaret as his nephew came in.

Did I see Marshal Marice here?

Just left.

Her man okay with that? He dropped on the couch, his feet on the coffee table.

Todd slapped his legs over. More or less.

So—no. You have to move on, Unka Todd.

Is there a point to his intrusion into my personal life?

What personal life? You've got a bottle of lotion and a porn stash. That's not a personal life.

The front bell rang.

Go get to work.

Yowsa. He saluted and went through the adjoining door to the lobby. Hello, sir. How can I help you?

Todd quit paying attention, not even noticing who was at the desk, until he headed to the breakfast room the check the water level. A tall, imposing, steel haired man stood in the lobby. He wasn't their run of the mill customer, rather he was many cuts above. Here was a man who had no place in a small city like Pittsburg, Kansas. Nor did he belong in a modest establishment like this one. Yes, it was clean and well kept, but it wasn't the Hilton. The man gave him a hard eyed glance as he passed through the office behind his nephew, and took the door to the breakfast room.

Perhaps you can tell me a good place to eat, the man addressed Jaret, his tone as cold as his eyes.

Sure. What do you like?

Oh, I'll eat just about anything.

Carry-out?

Tonight, I'd rather dine in.

The conversation continued for a few minutes, with Jaret offering ideas and giving directions. Todd worked on the water, which had pretty well drained away. He mopped up the rest and set a fan blowing over it, leaving the door ajar.

Who's the Ice King? he asked Jaret after the man had left.

The young man looked at the computer screen. John Smith. Seems legit. He snorted, flicking it with his index finger.

They shared a laugh, but it held an uneasy edge. After the events last fall, they were a bit leery of mysterious strangers. Marice had stayed with them for the weekend, when she came down to visit for her college reunion. By odd circumstances, she had left her weapon in Todd's safe, and he'd used it to kill a man in self-defense.

Does he seem okay? Todd asked. He didn't want more trouble with the police.

Not so bad, I guess. Kind of hard edged. Looked maybe ex-military. Or a spy. You suppose he's here to kill someone? Or maybe he's on the lam, running from an assassination.

Sure to be the case. All of it.

You're no fun today, Unka Todd.

I have to run a few errands. You'll be okay on your own?

Sure. If Smith comes back while you're gone, I'll stick to him like glue.

Don't bother. Just cause he's got the cheesiest name in the world, doesn't mean he's a bad guy.

But he had an uneasy feeling down his spine. His stomach clenched, and he honestly felt like vomiting. Silly reaction to such an inconsequential meeting. Still, he couldn't help thinking that a man such as Mr. Smith, had no place here.

I'll be back in a couple hours.

I hear they've got a special going at the massage parlor. Two happy endings for the price of one.

Funny man. He grabbed his keys and left. Sitting in his car, he stared out the window, remembering his final encounter with Orson Roberts, the man he'd killed. Furious, angst ridden, drunk, he'd come to Todd's to exact retribution for a crime Todd hadn't committed. He took a shot at Todd, who had returned fire with Marice's weapon. Roberts' weapon had discharged a second time as he died, hitting Jaret through the wall. Only a wing and a prayer had saved the boy from a more serious injury, or death. It gave him pause as he sat there, worrying about Jaret. Would he be all right when Todd returned? Should he just give the boy his errands? No. He had to go out, he was feeling stir crazy. If he stayed inside another minute, he might seriously consider putting his head in the oven. Not that it would work well, he had electric.

Putting the car in reverse, he backed out of the parking place, and headed out to run his errands. One was to pick up his money for doing the videos. His bank hadn't squared his direct deposit yet. Not for the first time, he was having to pick it up and deposit it. It was all right, provided Jaret could stay at the motel. Some days, it wasn't. The extra money was nice, giving him a nest egg for the first time in years. He put it in a special account, saving for his vacation. It made the prospect seem more real.

On campus, he made his way to the science building. The elevator was crowded, so he took the stairs to the third floor. The head of the department's office was near the stairwell, on the side overlooking the plaza.

Doctor Emily Snowden greeted him with a smile. She was a young woman for such a job, but one who was well qualified. She held double doctorates in some obscure sciences, and had graduated summa cum laude, the same year Todd had—from a much better school. Her list of credits was impressive for such a young woman, holding more awards than some people twice her age.

Arriving at her third floor office, he tapped on the open door, grinning at her. Standing, she walked over and handed him his check.

Bank still being problematic?

Yes. Not sure what's wrong. But I don't mind. Direct deposit would be more convenient, but at least you're close.

Will you be available to tape over the weekend?

I thought we were done with this semester's videos.

I'd like to start early on the ones for next term. Once we've got them, we can archive the episodes and have them forever.

How's Dr. Borchers taking it? Does he mind not doing the segments?

He's like a pig in mud. He hates doing anything extra, and he has the personality of a lug nut. The students seem to respond to your lectures, too. You have a warmth of personality that carries well.

He blushed slightly, ducking his head. Thank you. What's the next subject?

She leafed through a stack of papers on her desk. Have a seat. I had it a second ago.

He sat, watching her look. She tried to appear more mature by putting her hair up in a severe French twist, but it was thick and curly, determined to escape. Though they weren't alike in coloring, she reminded him of Marice; self-possessed, determined, ready to prove she could kick ass, as well as a man. Emily was blonde with brown eyes, had a creamy complexion and a winning smile. She was dressed in a sleek blue business suit with a white shirt, which was unbuttoned just enough to show the lace on her bra. It was a sedate white, but had fancy trim on it. He had to make himself not look, but it wasn't easy. He turned his gaze to her awards and diplomas instead.

Got it. Oh...that can't be right. Your next topic is blood spatter. I thought we covered that already?

It's a three part series. It's not easy to cover that much material in one lecture. It should really be more, but that's what Borcher's wants.

I wish they would let you oversee the content. I think it would be a much better class. You sure you don't want the job next year? He's retiring this summer.

We'll see. I can't promise. With the motel, I'm pretty busy.

Think about it. No classroom, just online help, the occasional phone call.

Grading, posting grades, evaluating comments on the website.... It's a lot of work.

True. Well....

I'll consider it. Thank you, Dr. Snowden. He reached for his lecture script.

Emily. She pulled the papers