She took a snapshot of the frame and printed it out. As the vehicle pulled away, she got another shot and sent it over to the printer too. It had been much earlier than when Torie had discovered Bella’s body so it might or might not be pertinent. At this point, everything mattered though.
Seeing Bella in the video strengthened Torie’s resolve even more. Just three days ago, the young woman had been alive and well. It wasn’t fair.
She scrolled through the files on the computer and found the one of her hotel floor the night Bella died. It might show the killer entering Torie’s room. She fast-forwarded it to eight o’clock and watched various couples walk the floors. At eight thirty, the picture went out. Just—nothing. She let it play, but the rest of the file was blank. Had someone done something to the camera or the file?
The door opened behind her, and she whirled toward the sound. Her stomach clenched when she recognized Kyle’s hunched shoulders and wild red hair. What was he doing up so late?
He put his big hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts. “What are you doing here so late, Ms. Bergstrom?” His voice held a sneer. “And why are you even working? What are you doing in my department—trying to get me fired?”
So at least her aunt hadn’t revealed the reason for the deception. And what right did he have to be upset about it? His attitude could get him fired, and she’d be glad to do it. She’d never met a more distasteful person.
She fixed him with a stern stare in keeping with her true identity. “There have been some irregularities at the hotel, and I’m trying to track them down. Those things don’t involve you.”
His brown eyes lost a bit of their suspicion. “You don’t say. What kind of irregularities? Maybe I can help you.”
“They involve Lisbeth Nelson.”
“You think she stole money or something?”
That reason could play as well as anything for making inquiries about Lisbeth. “We’re not sure. Was she dating anyone?”
“Maybe. She didn’t seem interested in seeing me, at least. I asked her out several times.”
Her friend would never have been interested in Kyle in a million years. At least now that he knew who she was, he kept his gaze on her face and didn’t let it roam any lower. But he was still going to have to face HR when she was done here.
“Did you ever see her with a man?”
“Not that I recall. She and Bella hung out a lot. Of course, they were roommates so that makes sense.”
“Did you know Bella well?”
He shrugged. “We went out a couple of times. She wasn’t my type though, even before she got engaged.”
“Was she seeing anyone other than her fiancé? Someone who might have wanted to harm her? Was her fiancé the jealous type?”
“Bella ran through men like water through a hose. I overheard her arguing with her fiancé several times. I expected her to take off that big rock on her hand any day.”
“What about her female friends? Anyone besides Lisbeth?”
“Well, she and Felicia were tight. At least for a while. When Lisbeth moved in, they had some kind of tiff.”
This Felicia was someone Torie needed to talk to. “Where can I find her?”
“She works as a hostess in the dining room.”
Torie would have breakfast there tomorrow and see if the woman would talk.
* * *
Torie still hadn’t heard from Joe even though she’d sent him a good morning message. But then, it was only six.
She stood at the entrance to the dining room and waited for the hostess. Now that everyone knew who she was, she’d donned her usual attire—linen slacks and a red silk blouse under a matching linen blazer. But somehow the elegant apparel felt wrong for the new Torie.
Habit was hard to break, and it would be even more difficult to throw off the shackles of expectation and privilege. It would take her constant focus to do it.
An attractive brunette of about thirty approached. “Good morning, Ms. Bergstrom. Table for one?”
It was early, and there were no other diners yet. “Actually make it a table for two and join me for a few minutes.” She let an imperious tone creep into her words. “You’re Felicia, right?”
The woman colored and ducked her head. “Yes.”
“You’re not in trouble. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment. Can you call someone else to take your place for fifteen minutes? I won’t keep you long.”
Felicia gave her a level look from her brown eyes and nodded. “Just a minute.” She walked over to a server and spoke a few words, then rejoined Torie. “She can help out a few minutes. This way.” She picked up a menu and led Torie to a table in a corner. “I told her to bring you coffee.”
Torie smiled. “The word is out that I like my java.”
“Yes, Ms. Bergstrom.”
Torie debated on whether to tell her to call her by her first name, then decided against it. Maybe if she feared her a little, she’d be forthcoming.
Torie settled in a chair and pointed to the one across the table. “Have a seat. I hear you were good friends with Bella.”
Felicia eased onto the chair and nodded. “I still can’t believe someone would kill her.” Her voice trembled, and she adjusted a wrinkle in the white tablecloth.
The server brought a steaming pot of coffee with a deliciously strong aroma and filled Torie’s cup. Torie thanked her and added cream.
She took a sip. “Did she say anything to you about Lisbeth Nelson?”
Felicia’s gaze shot to Torie, and her eyes widened. “You’re here about Lisbeth?” She rose and turned.
“Wait! Sit down.”
Felicia’s mouth was tight as she turned and sank back into the chair. “This has nothing to do with my job. You have no right to fire me for refusing to discuss something personal.”
“I’m not going to fire you. Lisbeth was my best friend. I believe she was murdered, and I think Bella knew something about it. Maybe the same person who killed Lisbeth killed Bella.”
Felicia’s gaze searched hers, and the anger in her eyes ebbed. “Bella never believed she killed herself, even though she said—” Her gaze fell away to the hands she’d clenched in her lap.
“Even though she lied about her being on antidepressants because she was depressed?”
Felicia bit her lip and cautiously raised her gaze again. “You know about that? Bella didn’t want to put the pills in her things.”
I was right. Torie tried to keep the elation from her voice. “Then why did she plant evidence? Why did she lie about the depression?”
“She was talked into it.”
“By whom?”
Felicia hesitated. “I don’t know for sure, but I thought it was Jason Graham, her fiancé, though she never admitted it. He held way too much influence over her. I never liked him. He’s the controlling type, even though nearly everyone else thinks he’s this great guy. She just said it was necessary for her to do it to stay out of trouble herself.”
“Did someone blackmail her into planting the bottle of pills?”
“I never thought about blackmail. I thought she did it because she was talked into it.”
“What exactly did she say?”