The Sign of the Calico Quartz (The Sweetbrier Inn Mysteries) by Jan Drexler | Character Interview

Hi Emma! It’s nice to meet you! From your biography, I see that your career has been in the hospitality industry, and your most recent job was with Votrejour International. That’s a pretty classy hotel chain! I hope you don’t mind me asking, but how did you end up working at a Bed and Breakfast in Paragon, South Dakota?

My aunt owns the Sweetbrier Inn. I was – um – between jobs and she offered me employment and a place to stay during the interim.

That was kind of her.

Wait. I have to be honest with you. Votrejour International fired me. Yeah, it’s a downer, right? They called it downsizing, but I know the real reason was because of a relationship I had with my boss. Everything was okay until I tried to break up with him. When people tell you to never date a co-worker, listen to them!

So, you ended up at your aunt’s B&B. How did you get into the detecting business?

It all started when I found Dead Dick in my living room.

That was his name?

Sorry. Dick Brill. I use mnemonics to remember names, and sometimes I forget to keep them to myself.

Hmm. Interesting. What are some of your nicknames for the guests at the B&B?

Well, there’s Pretentious Paul, the famous ghost-hunter, and his assistant, Mild Mary. Mysterious Montgomery is with us this week, along with Seeker Sam and his wife, Nosy Nora. And then there’s the honeymoon couple, Reclusive Roger and Affable Annie. Finally, there’s Clara, Rose’s friend from Scotland. I don’t need a nickname to remember her, although I could call her Clueless Clara. But I suspect that there is more to her than what I thought when I first met her.

After you found Dead Dick, you started investigating the murder?

I had to. Cowboy Cal – I mean, Deputy Cal Cooper – was ready to pin the murder on me. I think that finding Dick in my room along with an empty wine bottle and a couple glasses just isn’t enough evidence to put me on the suspect list. But he tends to jump to conclusions that way.

Do I detect a tender note in your voice?

Maybe. He’s a nice guy, but he sure needs my help with this case.

Let’s get back to you. Who is your best friend?

You know, I think that’s the best thing about working at the inn. I traveled a lot with my old job and didn’t have much of a chance to make friends. But Cal’s cousin Becky has taught me that you don’t need tons of time to form friendships. From the first time we met we were besties.

Can you tell us about your aunt?

I didn’t know Rose well while I was growing up. My uncle died in a car accident when I was still a child and somehow my father blamed Rose for his brother’s death and cut her out of our lives. Since coming to work with Rose, I’ve become aware that Uncle Harry’s death wasn’t from a simple car accident. It turns out that he and Rose worked for-

Wait, can this part be off the record?

This is a live interview. I can’t edit it.

Okay. Let’s just say that there is much more to Rose than I ever expected.

What about the chef? Wil Scott is his name, right?

Who are the cat and dog I’ve seen you with?

Thatcher is the corgi. He is Rose’s dog and he’s quite a character. One thing I’m learning about corgis is that they are very independent dogs, and Thatcher is no exception. He likes to hang around while Becky and I are discussing clues, and if I didn’t know better, I would think he understands every word we’re saying.

He likes everyone, but he’s completely loyal to Rose. I think he would actually risk his life to keep her safe.

And the cat?

That’s my Tim. I needed some fuzz-therapy after losing my job, so I adopted him from a shelter while I was living in Chicago. He’s still pretty young, but he gets my moods. He’s always ready for a cuddle when I’m feeling a bit down or unsure of myself – as long as the cuddle is short!

How do he and Thatcher get along?

They’ve been best friends since the first nose touch. I wouldn’t be surprised if they solved this case long before Becky and me.

What is your favorite part about living in Paragon? It’s quite a change from Chicago and the exotic locations where you have worked.

It was hard to get used to it at first. Paragon is in the middle of the Black Hills, and that means miles from nowhere! Would you believe there are places where you can’t even get cell phone reception? And the closest city is a twenty-minute drive away!

But I’ve grown to love it. There’s something so indescribably relaxing about sitting on my deck in the evening, listening to the wind whispering through the pines. I don’t miss city living at all.

Do you think you’ll be able to solve this case?

I hope so. Right now, there are too many suspects. Cal’s favorite phrase is, “Everyone is a suspect.” I know, it isn’t the most original thing he’s ever said. But he’s right. At this point, everyone is a suspect. Sometimes I even wonder if Aunt Rose could have done it.