The Perfect Impression

out of your room because ofthe disturbance, raise your hand.”
About a dozen people did. Jessie realized she was accepting people’swords about their status, but hoped that Peters might be able to suss out anyobvious deception when he questioned them.
“You folks will be interviewed by Detective Peters, starting with you,ma’am,” she said, pointing at the woman with the baby.
“Thank you,” the mom mouthed silently.
“Of those who were awake when the crime occurred,” Jessie continued, “howmany have not yet been interviewed?”
Five hands shot into the air.
“I’ll be speaking with each of you momentarily,” she assured them,before leaning over to Peters and whispering. “When does the first ferry leave?”
“Around nine a.m.,” he muttered.
“And the last one?” she asked.
“Six thirty at night.”
Jessie looked at her watch. It was just after three.
“It’s possible that some of you may be able to leave on the morningferry. Everyone else should be able to depart on the evening ferry, assumingyou haven’t been arrested. That’s the best deal I can offer. Now I recommend everyonesettle in. The sooner we get started, the faster we can get you back to a room.”
She spun on her heel with the five men in tow. When they were back inthe hall, she pointed at Stone.
“Did you get hold of your manager?” she wanted to know.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said quickly. “He was on a call with the senior hotelmanager, who is visiting family in Cerritos. He was getting instructions. But Itold him you wanted to talk to him and he’s on his way up.”
“Good,” she replied. “Now you and Dooley get in there, put people backwhere they belong, and keep them from talking. Remember, keep moving androtating rooms. I want all these folks looking over their shoulders, worriedthey might get busted if they cough too loud.”
She turned to Tommy, who looked like he was on the verge of abreakdown.
“You’re doing great, buddy,” she told him in her best head coach voice.“Can you give me a couple more hours here?”
He nodded meekly.
“Thanks. And remember, if anyone gives you a hard time, remind themabout the whole ‘arresting them’ thing. If they don’t back down, let them knowyou’ll call me to get my instructions. That should shut them up.”
She handed the now-smiling bellboy her business card and sent him onhis way before turning to Heck and Peters.
“Heck, you’re his backup, okay?” she said quietly. “That kid’s not paidenough for this crap. Throw your weight around a little if you have to.”
Heck nodded. He was smiling too. She turned to Detective Peters, whowas not. She understood why without asking.
“I know you think I pulled rank,” she said quietly when everyone elsewas out of earshot. “And I know you’re concerned because your boss is morefocused on tourism than solving this case. Guess what? I don’t care. I triedthings the island way, courteously coaxing answers out of rich jerks. And itgot us nowhere. So we’re doing it my way. You can get in my way and deal withthe consequences. Or you can get on board and who knows—maybe you’ll be laudedas a hero. Then you can push to be captain.”
“Are you suggesting that I undermine my supervisor?” Peters asked withhis eyebrows raised, though his voice wasn’t.
“I’m suggesting you do your job to the best of your ability and seewhere the chips fall,” she retorted. “It could work for you or not. But atleast you’ll be able to sleep at night knowing you didn’t just let a murdererget away with it. And here’s the best part.”
“What’s that?” he asked unenthusiastically.
“Doing it my way might just work out for you. Interview those folks whoclaim they were asleep, starting with that new mom. Try to confirm theirstories. It should be straightforward in most cases. But look for inconsistentstories, stories that are too perfect, or people who are more nervous than astandard police interview justifies. Hopefully, most of those people should beable to go home on the morning ferry, which will make your captain happy. I’llstart questioning the others. If I’m still at it when you’re done, you can helpme finish up. How does that sound?”
“It doesn’t sound like I have much choice,” he replied, failing to keepthe surliness out of his voice.
“No, you don’t,” she said. “But you can take solace in one thing. Youand your boss are in special company. I haven’t been this pissed off at someonesince my ex-husband stabbed my boyfriend in the chest. I broke that guy’s neck.All I did was yell at you a little.”
Peters looked like he was about to reply when someone called to themfrom the stairwell.
“I demand an explanation!”
Jessie turned around to see a small, officious man in a suit and tierumbling toward them.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“The night manager,” he told her. “You think I’m a pain? This guy makesme seem like Mary Poppins.”
Despite the hour, the lack of sleep, and her general irritation, Jessiecouldn’t help but smile.
“We’ll see about that,” she said.

CHAPTER EIGHT
“You have no right to upend my hotel,” the manager huffed, coming to astop only inches from Jessie.
Unfortunately for him, because he was about a half foot shorter than shewas, that meant he had to crane his neck to make eye contact. His brown oneswere blazing. Up close Jessie noticed that his skin was much paler than onemight expect for someone who worked on an island. Maybe being the night managerhad something to do with it.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Barksdale,” she said smoothly,looking at the tag on the jacket. “I was wondering when you might make anappearance. I started to worry that you were just going to cower in your officeall night.”
He huffed loudly, clearly offended. His breath wafted through Jessie’snostrils. It wasn’t bad exactly, but underneath the surface scent of mouthwash,she detected a residue of coffee that suggested the guy had been loading up oncaffeine to survive this unusual night.
“I’m desperately trying to keep the guests of an exclusive boutiquehotel calm and comfortable,” he declared. “But having a mainland police consultantupset all that hard work isn’t helping.”
He said the word “consultant” as if it was some kind of