The Mystery at Faldor Hotel Ch. 03

Part one

Nancy wasn't saying much and George knew why. She was completely unhinged at Bess's behaviour with the lecherous bellhop, but felt uncomfortable about bringing it up with George, and the reason for this was quite simple: While she was at no fault in the matter, being Bess's cousin practically brought some responsibility for Bess's indiscretion home to roost on George's front step. George could certainly sympathize with Nancy where her shock at Bess's behaviour was concerned, could even understand the discomfort she was feeling with her on account of it but, for George, the situation was yet more complicated.

George was a self-confirmed, one hundred percent, card carrying lesbian. While still in the closet, however, this was something she'd known about herself for quite some time, around about the same time, in fact, that she'd realized she'd fallen deeply in love with Nancy. Of course, Nancy had no idea of these facts and only had eyes for 'Mr. Perfect', Ned Nickerson, (who George suspected was a little too perfect to be real) and had absolutely, positively no interest in her own gender, including the most loyal friend in her life, that being George Fayne. Yet, George held out hope that someday something would change, that Nancy would lose interest in her overgrown boy scout, would come to her senses and see in her friend, George, the loving adoration and loyalty that she could never have in Ned, who was half the time more involved in his own concerns than he was with Nancy anyway.

For this reason also, George was quite put out with her cousin's behaviour and the resulting rift of discomfort it had created between she and Nancy, but even that wasn't all there was to the current situation.

While both she and Nancy had been teasing Bess for some time about her weight, the way her younger, pretty blonde cousin had been dressing lately had been turning the eyes of a lot of boys and, as much as she hated to admit it, those of George's as well. Bess had proved that there was obviously nothing to be ashamed of in being a little pudgy and, though Bess's display in front of the bellhop was completely inappropriate and had created the current discomfort between her and Nancy, George found herself having trouble getting her cousin's incredible breasts and nipples out of her mind. It wasn't that she was suddenly feeling anything for Bess, but more a base sexual reaction towards her voluptuous cousin, and that made her feel like she was cheating on her very real and meaningful feelings for Nancy.

Finally, and perhaps worst of all, George couldn't help but notice how Nancy herself couldn't take her eyes from Bess's chest. While George was still sure (at least reasonably so) that Nancy had absolutely no interest in girls, she couldn't help but feel some jealousy towards her cousin anyway, couldn't help but wonder if she could get Nancy's attention if she had a body like Bess's.

All in all, Bess had created a mess and George wasn't even quite sure of how she should feel about it, let alone what she should actually do about it.

Stopping at Suite 510, Susan Quinn's suite, Nancy barely glanced at George with an expression that spoke of personal hesitation. It wasn't about knocking on the door, which she did, but rather hesitation around George. The awkward space between them was almost intolerable while they waited. Finally, when it was clear that nobody was in, at least not anyone willing to answer the door, Nancy took another glance at George, then up and down the corridor before trying the knob to find it locked.

"Now what?" George asked.

"I think we should go down to the main level and look around," Nancy replied, forcing a light, airy tone. Maybe we can find someone, perhaps another guest who remembers Susan and has some information we could use."

"Good thinking, Nancy," George agreed, her positivity just as forced.

From behind the reception desk, Mr. Carmody smiled politely at them as they passed through the lobby on their way to the sitting parlour. Just as politely, they smiled back before passing through the open French doors, looking around themselves at the richly appointed reading area, also done in mahogany and copper. Quite remarkable to Nancy was the fireplace. The opening was at least five feet high, its width approximately the same with a heavy mantle of mahogany with ornate, inlaid copper trim and polished, inset crystals. There was presently no fire, however its very presence somehow warmed the room with the thought of what kind of fire such a maw could support.

Still seated in the overstuffed, wingback chair, the man they'd seen earlier placed a bookmark between the pages of his hard covered tome, closing it and putting it aside as he smiled at the two girls, his eyes glancing appreciatively up and down their bodies as his verbal greeting came in a more gentlemanly manner.

"Why, hello, ladies."

"Hello," Nancy politely returned, although having noticed the man's roaming eyes.

George echoed Nancy's greeting and the man, who George guessed to be in his late fifties, introduced himself as David Marks. He stuck out his hand in the customary way, which Nancy took and shook, introducing herself. George did the same, noting his firm grip and a certain officious way about the man that suggested authority.

"Folks here at the Faldor call me Colonel," he informed, "though I don't know why. I keep telling them I'm retired, but they still do it anyway. I think they just like the idea of having an officer kicking around, retired or no. They probably figure it gives the place class."

"My," Nancy replied, "the Faldor certainly seems to have enough of that. We've never seen a place like this."

Marks hissed a short laugh and said, "Gaudy and stuffy, you mean. Still, it's nice that such pretty young ladies can appreciate an older generation's style. Most people your age think plastic furniture is classy. Both of you, please have a seat."

They thanked him and took a seat on a couch opposite him, George noticing his eyes taking another quick tour of their bodies, resting on their legs as they settled before looking at their faces when he addressed them again.

"So, where are you from?"

"River Heights," Nancy replied.

"Say, I once knew a Private from River Heights," the Colonel recalled. "Glendon Creamer. Used to always insist his name was pronounced Craymer. Idiot. So, what brings you lovely ladies so far from home?"

"A friend of ours asked us to join her here on vacation," Nancy replied. "Perhaps you've met her; Susan Quinn?"

"Yes, I have," Marks said. "Damned fine looking woman, I must say. The sea air certainly agrees with her."

"Oh?" George prodded.

"It does with some people," he explained with a shrug. "You'll notice how all the locals are quite attractive and bright- well, with the exception of Billybob, but that's not their fault. Their parents were brother and sister, you know."

"Billy... I'm afraid I don't understand, Colonel," Nancy admitted.

"Billybob Boyle," Marks went on to explain without any sign of resentment at Nancy's reference to him by his rank, retired or no. "There's two of them, Billy and Bob Boyle. They're identical twins and nobody can tell 'em apart but, since neither of em are any good for anything, it doesn't matter, so folks just call 'em both Billybob. Reverend Stephens more or less looks after them since their parents died."

"Oh, I think we've seen one of them," George said. "When we first got here."

"They're mostly harmless," he said, glancing at Nancy's legs again before she got conversation back on subject.

"Actually, Susan hasn't answered her door since we've been here and we were wondering if you've seen her."

"Not lately."

"When was the last time?" George inquired.

"Last time I saw her? Well, that would've been a few days ago. Sunday, I believe... Yes, it was. She was swimming."

"Swimming?" George asked. "In the sea?"

"Sure, right out back here. Had on this little black bikini that was... well, little. Really little. Heh! Poor old Billybob just about jerked his dick raw watching her sunbathe on the beach, not that I blame him."

Both George's and Nancy's eyes widened at his callous choice of words as his mind seemed to drift off in what was probably some totally pornographic thoughts.

Nancy managed to stammer, "Uh, th- that doesn't really sound like Susan. I wonder if you could describe her?"

Shifting in his chair and with another glance at Nancy's and George's bodies, especially their chests, he replied, "Late thirties, long, dark brown hair, hazel eyes. Maybe about one hundred and thirty-five pounds with a nice, round ass and kinda big tits. What they call 'torpedo tits', if you know what I mean. Pretty face, too. Reminds me of a whore I once knew when I was stationed in- well, never mind."

Nancy could only nod at the Colonel's perverted description of Eloise's friend, somehow maintaining her composure while George could only goggle as the retired officer volunteered a little more information.

"I actually met her in here. She was sitting right where you are and reading when I came in one morning. She introduced herself, said she was a teacher and that she loves books. Of course, I was only too glad to have her company. Heather looks damned good for her age, but her conversational abilities are a little too scientific for my tastes. Have you met our good doctor, Heather Bolton, yet?"

Both Nancy and George replied that they hadn't before Marks went on with, "She's retired and lives here like I do. One hot looking retiree if you ask me but, like I say, the sea air here does a lot for some people. She's got a nice set of tits too. Not overly big, but they got a nice round shape and her ass looks like it's beggin' for a-"

"I'm sorry, Colonel," Nancy desperately interrupted. "It's been very interesting chatting with you, but George and I really should go try to find Susan. Maybe we'll meet up again sometime."

"I'm sure we will," he returned, seemingly unoffended as the two girls awkwardly stood to take their leave of him, his eyes once again briefly roaming over their young bodies. "I'm usually here reading. Drop by if you want some company, or a history of the hotel if you're interested. If I'm not here, I'm probably up in my suite- 207. Come on up and we'll have us a drink or three. I'll tell you some old war stories and we'll get to know each other better."

"That sounds like fun," Nancy told him with a pasted smile. "Goodbye, Colonel."

They said nothing while crossing the lobby, Nancy taking them in the direction of the dining room. Carmody didn't look up from whatever it was that he was writing as he stood behind the reception desk, and it wasn't until they were just beyond the threshold of the opposite set of French doors that the two girls even looked at each other. Their expressions were that of mutual disbelief mixed with slightly flushed embarrassment at the retired Army Officer's behaviour, but the man's frank and colourful way with words at least had the effect of nullifying the discomfort over Bess's earlier behaviour between the two friends.

The décor of the dining room followed that of the rest of the hotel, surrounding its diners with the now expected dark mahogany and crystals embedded in copper trim. Against the right wall was a long bar, also of mahogany and copper. Directly opposite the French entry doors was another extra wide door, most likely a portal to the kitchen, with a classic, inset round window. In the classy dining room, the carpet was a medium to deep brown and about twenty round tables with perfect, white tablecloths were well spaced throughout the room. A crystal chandelier that was approximately half the size of the one in the lobby hung from the center of the ceiling, but the lighting from the currently unmanned bar added to the room's cozy décor.

Choosing a table towards the center of the room, the two sat in nicely upholstered chairs, their expressions still incredulous as they began speaking in lowered voices.

"Heavens!" Nancy hissed, "I've never experienced such..."

"Impropriety!" George finished barely above a whisper.

"Yes! I've never experienced such disregard for propriety! Men are supposed to act a lot more gentlemanly around ladies than to be saying the things he did! And did you see the way he was looking us up and down? Like he wanted to... like he...?"

Nancy couldn't even finish, had not the conversational, nor conceptual experience to put into words what she innately knew the Colonel wanted of them.

"It's a good thing Bess wasn't with us!" George hissed, instantly regretting she had as Nancy's expression changed to one of discomfort once again.

"Yes. A good thing," she toned, looking around herself now as though for a server but, George knew, really in an attempt to not have to look Bess's cousin in the face.

"Nancy, I- I'm sorry. About Bess, I mean. I don't know why she did that and I want you to know I really don't approve. I didn't approve of how she wanted to get information out of him even before she did that, and I'm probably more embarrassed about it than you are. And... I hope that what she did... I mean, I hope you don't think any less of me for being her cousin."

It was a good move and George could see this right away as Nancy looked at her, the expression of discomfort replaced by one of sympathy and understanding as she listened.

"George, no," Nancy told her in a soft voice that made George's heart flutter. "Of course I don't think any less of you. It wasn't your fault and I remember that you were against Bess using herself to get information out of Manny. I was the one who okayed it. Of course, I had no idea she'd come out wearing that top without a bra and acting so..."

"I know. It's just that, as her cousin, I feel responsible somehow."

"Well you're not. If anyone is responsible, I am. I can't believe I let her do that. I've never used the fact that I'm female in my investigations before and I don't know what came over me. I should have listened to you!"

"Oh, please don't blame yourself, Nancy," George plead, taking her hand in hers across the table almost without realizing, feeling herself flush behind her ears for this meaningful contact. "Let's not forget that it was her idea and her action. You couldn't have foreseen that she would come out of the bathroom like that."

"Thanks, but I did okay her plan."

"She convinced you. It was her plan and she convinced you, then took it way too far."

Nancy smiled at her, squeezing her hand and creating tingles up George's sides before letting go. As much as she hated releasing Nancy's hand, she was also relieved at the discomfort between the two being dissolved. Clearing her throat, George continued with an observation about her cousin.

"Anyway, she's been acting a little different lately."

"I've noticed," Nancy agreed. "Especially today."

"Yes. ... You know, we always teased her about her weight, but it seems that boys like her."

"I've noticed that too," Nancy agreed with a slight frown, thinking of her father's reaction to her that morning. "She suddenly seems so... different."

"Do you think she's attractive?" George asked, hoping her sleuth friend wouldn't read in her voice the anxiety she felt in her heart.

"Yes. She's always been pretty."

"No, I mean... I saw you looking at her chest, and I wondered if you think she's... Well, do you think our breasts should be that big? Would I- would we be more attractive if they were? To boys, I mean?"

"I don't know," Nancy said, looking at George's chest and trying to imagine her friend with a bigger bust. "Ned's never complained."

"He shouldn't. You're perfect," George blurted without thinking.

But Nancy only smiled, appreciating the compliment. However, there was something else in her eyes that George knew had nothing to do with her compliment or her cousin. It almost distracted her from a sudden and somewhat foreign excitement at Nancy looking at her bust line, such as it was.

"So, how are you and Ned?"

"Good," Nancy replied, her smile now seeming a bit forced as she nodded to back up her words, repeating, "We're good."

While George could tell that things weren't quite as good as Nancy claimed, she didn't feel that the time was right to press for the truth, especially not while her heart was suddenly blossoming with beautiful hope at Nancy's apparent distress where Ned was concerned. She wouldn't have had opportunity in any case as they were interrupted by their Hostess.

The kitchen door opened and through it came a beautiful woman in her mid-thirties. Her eyes were a captivating green, hair dark brown and long, but worn up, and she looked to be taller than George's five feet, ten inches, at least in her black heels. Carrying two menus and a positive smile, she wore the hotel's wine coloured blazer over a satiny, black camisole covering breasts even larger than Bess's, and showing off just a little cleavage. Black dress pants covered her lower half, doing a lot for soft, rounded hips that were in perfect proportion with her chest.

The woman was living proof of how women with Bess's figure could be attractive, and George's eyes were captured right away while even Nancy tried not to stare.

"How are you ladies this afternoon?" she asked in a voice that was almost sultry as she placed their menus in front of them.

"Fine, thanks," Nancy responded. "Yourself?"

"I'm doing great," she returned with a winning smile and an overly friendly look to George, who fought to keep her eyes from the breasts that were just above eye level and now less than a foot away from her face. "My name is Elora and I'll be your hostess. Would you like anything to drink while you decide?"

"Uh, just water will be fine, please," Nancy told her.

"And for you?" Elora asked George.

"The same, please," the nineteen year old brunette managed.

"Two glasses of water it is," their hostess confirmed with a sudden, sexy wink for George that Nancy couldn't see.

They both watched her walk away, back through the door from which she'd come, George's colour rising over what that wink could have been about.

"She must be one of the locals the Colonel spoke of," Nancy commented with a raised brow.

"I'm surprised he isn't in here," George quipped, trying to get over an instant and troubling attraction to the buxom brunette, not to mention that suggestive wink.

"They've probably had to tell him to leave if he's not eating."

"He did look just a little overweight for a military man."

"You know," Nancy confided with a smile at George's witty observation, "I wasn't even planning to eat. I just sort of headed us here in order to get away from him and, naturally, we sat down and got to talking."

"That's alright," George smiled, still trying to get Elora and her wink out of her mind while she opened her menu. "I am a bit hungry. We haven't eaten since this morning."

"This is true," Nancy agreed, opening her menu as well, adding, "Bess will be so upset when we tell her we dined without her."

Both girls shared a low key giggle as they looked over their options, soon deciding on hot sandwiches with soup and just in time for the return of their Hostess.

From a round, silver tray, she placed their glasses of water in front of them with a smile and a lingering look for George while she placed hers.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name, Miss...?"

"Fayne," George managed, a warm flush working its way up her body. "George Fayne."

"George..." she repeated with a seductive smile as she appeared to mull the name over for a moment before passing her judgement. "How adorable. Are you guests here at the hotel?"