Barkeep

Chapter 5

As Alex gazed across at Lu's innocent face, the question burned in his mind, demanding to be asked. "Lu," he began tentatively, "why did you choose the Palm Rose Resort for your vacation?"

Lu's gaze drifted away for a moment, lost in thought, before she turned back to meet Alex's eyes. "Well," she started, a hint of hesitation in her voice, "I actually didn't choose it myself. I used a travel agent who found me a really great deal on a package vacation to Cabo. The Palm Rose Resort was part of the package, and the discount was too good to pass up."

Alex's brow furrowed with concern as he processed her words. It seemed strange that Lu would choose a resort without knowing much about it, but he could understand the allure of a good deal. "So you didn't have much information about the resort before you arrived?" he asked, hoping to glean more insight into her decision.

Lu shook her head, her expression troubled. "Not really," she admitted. "I mean, the travel agent assured me it was a top-rated resort with great amenities and a beautiful location. But other than that, I didn't know much about it."

Alex's mind raced as he considered this new information. If Lu didn't have much information about the resort before she arrived, it raised the possibility that someone who knew more about it than she did could have targeted her. But who would want to harm her, and why?

As the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, Alex realized that there was still much he didn't know about Lu's murder. But one thing was clear—he would stop at nothing to uncover the truth and bring her killer to justice.

"So, did you like your travel agent? Would you use her again?" Alex continued.

"Oh yeah, she was great. I mean, she got me such a great deal. It really felt like she was more committed to getting me on this vacation than even I was!" Lu giggled.

As Alex listened to Lu's account of her travel agent, Gloria Bloom, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story than met the eye. "Tell me more about Gloria Bloom," he urged gently, leaning in with a newfound intensity.

Lu's eyes lit up with a flicker of recognition at the mention of Gloria's name. "Gloria had a small shop right by the library," she began, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "It was hard to miss with all those brightly colored posters in the window—pictures of beaches and sunny boats that seemed to beckon you into a world of adventure."

A pang of familiarity struck Alex as he pictured the scene in his mind—the small shop nestled among the bustling streets, its windows adorned with images of far-off destinations that seemed to whisper promises of escape and exploration. Each one depicted breathtaking landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to tropical beaches and daring explorers venturing into the unknown. They seemed to whisper promises of thrilling encounters, new cultures, and unforgettable experiences.

"And every day," Lu continued, a wistful smile playing at the corners of her lips, "I would find myself gazing at those posters while I ate my sandwich across the street on a park bench. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to embark on a grand adventure like the ones depicted in those pictures."

Lu's eyes seemed to sparkle as she spoke with a mix of longing and excitement. Her gaze softened, as if lost in a daydream, and a gentle sigh escaped her lips. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the imaginary edge of her sandwich, as her mind wandered to the possibilities that lay beyond the confines of her ordinary routine.

With a wistful smile, Lu couldn't help but imagine herself in those scenes, her heart yearning for the thrill of stepping into the unknown. The world around her faded into the background as her mind painted vivid pictures of herself embarking on a grand adventure, just like the ones she admired.