Starr's Test: Celestial Investigation series, #3

By Mary L Ball

Starr, the youngest Kast sister is a whiz at Internet tracking.

In her spare time she agrees to chauffer a child to Sunday school.

An easy task until she meets the girl's uncle.

 

Luke's priority is his niece Winnie and his garage. The last thing

he wants is a pesky blonde butting into their lives, but when

Winnie's life is in danger Starr is the only one who can help.

 

Starr confronts a stalker and uncovers secrets.

Will she also realize God placed Luke in her path for a reason?

 

"Starr's Test," book 3 in Celestial Investigation Series.

A Christian romantic suspense based on three sisters.

Their P.I. skills come in handy in the quaint town of

Mercy, North Carolina, a place where romance and mystery unite.

 

A 2022 revision of Starr's Promise with a new look and title.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Life Inspiring Books
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201362768

Mary L Ball

Mary L. Ball is a multi-published Christian author and resides in North Carolina. Readers can connect with her on Face Book and her website.  https://marylball.weebly.com https://www.facebook.com/MaryLBallChristianauthor

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Starr stepped outside the side door of Mercy Hotel and tossed the paper from the copy machine in the trash. An empty copier gave her an excuse to search the offices.

The full moon cast an eerie shadow across the dumpster toward the alleyway. A chill raised the hair on the back of her neck. She glanced around before hurrying inside. Her case should be simple, pretend to be the marketing coordinator and get the information she needed. However, since she’d been an investigator she’d discovered it wasn’t smart to assume anything. 

Starr made her way toward the assistant’s workspace. Behind the desk, the room opened into a hall leading to a staircase. She looked for Amber the evening clerk, before making haste toward the upstairs corporate rooms.

She opened the door of the accountant’s office. The metal hinges on the old door groaned. A long squeak followed. Starr scrunched her nose, the sound impersonated fingernails scraping a chalkboard.

She held her breath, looked in both directions and hurried inside before anyone spotted her.

With long strides, Starr rushed to the computer to log on. Nothing. Using common birthdates and names, she attempted several times to gain access to the Chief Accounting Officer’s files.

Starr keyed in another combination of letters and numbers.

Click-click, a noise that sounded like shoe heels hitting the tile floor drifted down the hallway. Someone is coming. She jumped from the chair and hurried to the hallway. Just as she closed the door behind her, the desk clerk approached. 

Is the supply closet on this floor? She walked toward Amber.

No. Amber stared ahead of Starr and motioned. Mr. Key’s office is in there. Mr. Bell’s is at the end. No one’s allowed on this floor after business hours. Amber glanced at Starr. What do you need from the supply room?

Paper. I have to copy a few changes I made. I like to document any modifications I make.

I can’t believe the copier is out of paper. Amber frowned. It’s never empty. Come on. I’ll show you where to find the office supplies.

Starr followed Amber down the steps, passed the restrooms, to a door painted red. This is where we keep supplies. She reached inside, retrieved a pack of paper from a shelf and handed it to Starr.

Thanks. Want to join me for a slice of coconut cake? 

I shouldn’t, but coconut is one of my favorites. Amber grinned.

"Good. I’ll meet you in the break room.

Starr scooted the chair to the other side of the table.  I think you’ll like this. My sister baked it. She loves to cook. She offered Amber a paper plate.

It must be nice to have sisters. I only have a brother. Amber cut into the cake.

I’ll bet it was fun growing up with a brother. Starr chewed on a bite of coconut and watched Amber. Her brown hair pulled back in ponytail highlighted the blue eye shadow she wore.

Starr chewed and continued to process her case, debating Mr. Bell’s suspicions. Amber didn’t have access to the financial records and worked the front checking in hotel guests, she’d ruled her out. 

My brother has always been there for me. Amber wiped cream cheese icing from her mouth.

Amber’s words pulled Starr from her thoughts. Didn’t you say he watches your little girl while you work? Starr forked another piece of the dessert.

Yes, he sees Winnie gets into bed by nine. It makes things easier since I work second shift. Luke lives next door, above his garage.

He’s a mechanic? Starr took a sip of water.

Yeah, owns Munday’s Garage.

Starr watched Amber fidget with her hoop earrings. I know being a single mother is hard.

Sometimes, but Winnie is a joy and part of the love I’ll always have for her father. I recall the first time I saw Heath Robbins, such a handsome man. Amber pushed a cake crumb aside with her fork. We were both in the twelfth grade. His dad relocated to Mercy, to open up a new insurance office for his employer. Amber moved her head back and forth. We were only married a few months before we decided to start a family. I found out I was pregnant a week after the funeral.

Oh my, Starr shook her head. I’m sure that was difficult.

Knowing my baby depended on me kept me going.

Do Winnie’s grandparents still live around here?Starr wrapped up the rest of the cake.

No, they visit a few times a year. Mister Robbins accepted a promotion for a district manager position few years back. They live in West Virginia.

A ding aired from the front. Amber stood. I need to see to our guest.

Starr gathered the leftovers. I’ll be leaving shortly. I’ll see you tomorrow.

THE MORNING SUN FLICKERED on the silver colored sunflower hanging from Starr’s rearview mirror. She pulled into a parking space at Celestial Investigation, bypassed the front door and let herself in through the back.

Starr inhaled the aroma of donuts. The past few years since she and her sisters taken over their dad’s firm the sugary treats had became tradition.

She paused at the open box and chose a glazed covered delicacy. Her sister entered the break room.

Morning. Sunny grabbed a bottle of water from the mini fridge. "How’s the case at the hotel?

Slow. I can’t figure out Mr. Key’s password. Starr licked glaze from her finger. Honestly, there are too many combinations to keep guessing. I have a meeting with Mr. Bell today. Maybe, he can offer suggestions.

I can show you a hacking trick, which should allow you to bypass the password. Sunny added.

Thanks. Now, I have to figure out a way to get in the office without Amber seeing me.

Is she the clerk? Sunny shut the lid on the donuts.

Starr nodded, I don’t believe she’s involved with mishandling hotel funds.

Well. Sunny scratched her head. Why don’t I call her about eight and pretend to be interested in booking a room? I can ask a lot of questions.

That would help thanks. Starr grinned. How is Paisley doing?

Sunny’s face glowed. Your niece is wonderful, other than her teething, and Max is such a devoted father. He even helps me with her care so I can take long baths.

Starr giggled. I don’t know much about other dads and their babies, but what you’ve got sounds like a good thing.

Believe me, it is. Sunny started to walk out and then stopped. I almost forgot to tell you Luna is helping a client with some research at the library. I doubt she’ll be in today.

Okay. Starr watched her sister return to her desk.

Hours later, Starr waited on Sunny to return with lunch and jotted down a few questions for her sister to ask Amber in hopes of keeping the clerk busy, while she searched the Chief Accounting Officer’s computer. She tapped her chin with the end of the pen. The intercom buzzed.

Mr. Bell is here. Her office assistant announced.

Thanks, Nellie. Send him back.

Starr greeted the owner of Mercy Hotel as he approached. Mr. Bell, please have a seat. She clicked on the case file. I don’t have much to report. It’s not easy to guess someone’s password unless you know them personally. She paused. But in the time I’ve been there, I’ve watched your evening clerk closely. I doubt she’s responsible for financial shortage.

I hadn’t considered her at all. Mr. Bell adjusted his watch.

Starr nodded. Lines formed around the man’s mouth. His face drooped. She pressed her lips together, sure sleepless nights were the cause of his fatigue.

Miss. Kast, Mercy Hotel is a family business. My wife and I purchased the units and renovated years ago. Nowadays, the only thing she has energy for is a little crocheting. He rubbed his temple. The hotel was her passion until she became ill.

I understand. My father founded this firm. It’s important to keep family businesses going.

I dislike thinking my brother-in-law may be involved in illegal accounting, but it’s only us, two desk clerks and small cleaning staff.

All the research I’ve done into your employees leads me to rule them out as suspects. Starr pushed her hair off her shoulder. I did a thorough look into their finances. Nothing is amiss. I do question Mr. Key’s investments. They don’t match last year tax statement.

Mr. Bell pulled a paper from his shirt pocket. Here are some password ideas. He handed her the list.

Thanks, I may not need these. I’m going to try and hack through the back door of your computer’s firewall system.

Do what you need. I’m not up to speed with computers programs. I know enough to get by. He rubbed his whiskers.

Let me see if I can come up with any additional information. Starr grabbed the USB lying on her desk and held it up. Tonight, if I find anything, I’ll make a copy on this.

CHAPTER TWO

Starr placed her purse beside the small desk she used to create Mercy Hotel’s website.

She pulled up the template and glanced at the pages. The site, which started out as a cover to aid in her search of the hotel, was bright and informative. The booking and contact page was easy for anyone to use. She smiled as she added a few more pictures of the accommodations. Since she’d spent hours undercover designing the website, she may as well publish it online and give it to Mr. Bell for the company to use in their promotions. All he needs to do is keep his domain. Starr mumbled and added a description of the hotel rooms on the top floor.

What? Amber strolled to her desk.

Starr glanced at the clerk. Sorry, sometimes I talk to myself. I was remembering to give Mr. Bell the billing information on the hotel domain.

Oh. Amber nodded. I’m not much with a computer. I visit a few social pages and shop occasionally.

You seem to know your way around when you’re taking care of the customers. Starr saved her pages.

It’s easy. I have a check in-and-out file and a place where I make notes about things like supplies and complaints.

I see. Starr eyed her. You have to process payments don’t you?

Sure, but mostly running credit card information. The machine does the rest. If someone pays cash I have a receivable and receipt file. Amber glanced at Starr’s computer screen. It’s not like