She stepped inside the room the innkeeper showed her, absorbing the details with the eye of someone who would faithfully report her findings later. Lace curtains fluttered against the open window, and beyond them she could hear the pleasant sounds of conversation out on the street. There was fresh paint on the walls, a lovely soft blue that made her regret not having stayed here from the start. She set her bag down and smiled at the anxious innkeeper. “It is quite lovely.” The man pulled a kerchief from his pocket and mopped the top of his balding head. “Well, at the Blue Gander, we pride ourselves on running a clean, respectable establishment. You might mention in your article that the maid, Sally, is instructed to provide the guests anything they might want. They have only to ask.” Pen suppressed a giggle, recalling the exchange she had overheard several nights ago. Sally’s offer hadn’t sounded very respectable to her, but perhaps it might appeal to a certain kind of tourist.
