< previous page page_204 next page >

Page 204
and smoothed to perfection. A thin sheaf of papers, carbon copies of business letters with Peter's name at the bottom, was lying there. Linda stood up hastily. Prying into Mrs. Bates's affairs would be worse than creasing cushions, and she knew her eyes would be drawn to the letters if she stayed where she was.
When Linda moved, the chair squeaked faintly, and it occurred to her that it was very quiet in the suite. If Gertrude was in the bathroom, there should be some sounds. Linda tapped softly on Gertrude's bedroom door. No response. She opened the door and peeped in. The room was dark, which immediately implied that Gertrude was not likely to be in the bathroom. One doesn't turn off the lights in the bedroom when taking a shower. The idea was promptly confirmed when Linda realized that the angled panel lit by the shaft of light from the sitting room was the open lavatory door. For a moment Linda felt alarmed again, wondering where Gertrude could be, but then a soft snore made her laugh silently at herself. Of course, Gertrude was in bed and asleep.
I'm getting suspicious of everything, Linda thought sheepishly. Nonetheless, she opened the door a little wider until the light fell across the bed. It was Gertrude, sound asleep. Linda closed the door hastily, afraid the light would disturb the sleeping woman and backed out, feeling much relieved. At the suite's outer door, however, she paused. Would Gertrude go to bed and leave the door unlooked?

 
< previous page page_204 next page >