A Murder in Paris

Chapter 1

Amelia stood on the deck of the Camille, smiling. It was her first trip to Paris, and she was elated. As she breathed in the salty air of the ocean, she heard the faint click of heels coming closer to her.
"Amelia, darling you've been standing here for ages!" Her sister,Dot, always made such a fuss when Amelia was in the same place for a long period of time.
"Oh Dot, no need to worry! I can take care of myself, thank you." It was exhausting to tell her sister that every hour of the day." I'm a grown woman, as I need to remind you."
"Well, we're almost there. And for goodness sakes, Amelia, if you're a grown woman dress like one!" Her sister pointed at Amelia's trousers and shirt. Amelia could only smile.
"Well Dot, if you're speaking about looks, I think your lipstick needs to be refreshed." Dots eyes went wide and she immediately dug around in her purse for her lipstick and compact.
"Meet me in our room in an hour. I lost an earring in there and I refuse to leave this ship without it!" With that Dot put away her makeup and started to walk away." I don't see how losing a glass bead is that important!" Amelia called.
"It is a diamond!" Dot retorted before turning the corner and out of sight.
This should be an interesting vacation, Amelia thought. What could possibly go wrong?
The dock was bustling with all kinds of activity. It was even more lively with the tourists coming off the ship with their luggage carried by porters. Amelia and her sister were waiting for the cab to pick them up and take them to their hotel. Amelia, to her sisters disgust, was still wearing her brown trousers and loose white shirt. Her sister put on a peach colored dress that hung down to her knees with nude stockings and black heels. Dot was looking at her reflection in her compact, checking to see if her lipstick was smeared or if she needed to add another pound of rouge to her heavily powdered face.
"You know Dot, if you add more rouge one could mistake you for a doll," Amelia pointed out. Dots eyebrows furrowed." W-well...I," Dot didn't have a response. Amelia spotted a black car making its way towards them, and halted in front of Amelia. A man got out and opened the door for them. Once they entered the car, their luggage was put in the back and their driver started the car." Où Madame?" The driver asked them."l'hôtel de paradis" Amelia answered in French. Dot stared at her with her mouth open.
"When did you learn to speak French?" She asked." You seriously don't remember that our own mother is French?" Their mother immigrated to America and met their father in New York. When Amelia was sixteen, her mother taught her French because her grandmother was visiting." She never taught me," Dot mumbled. They arrived at the Paradise Hotel, a gigantic hotel flanked by apartment buildings and busy streets. They entered the magnificent building and Amelia checked in at the front desk, where they were given their key to the suite they bought." How did we end up with a suite?" Dot asked when they entered the room." Father helped a little," Dot gave Amelia a look." Okay, he helped a lot." Well, changing the subject, there is going to be a party downstairs in the ballroom," Dot said while brushing her auburn hair." That sounds fun, but I'd rather explore the city." Dot pouted.
She always tried to get Amelia to do something fun, and sometimes Amelia would." Anyway, I'm going to walk to that bakery we passed earlier," Amelia started for the door." Okay, I'll be at the party. By myself. Alone." Amelia smiled and shook her head as she walked out the door.