The Winter Suite shared a wing with the master bedroom (9 - P). I used Mr. Grady’s key and let myself in.

 

It was well-furnished. The carpet was snow white and so carefully maintained that I worried the dusty soles of my sneakers would mark my presence. His bed was made, and nothing beyond a small collection of snowglobes and potted plants occupied the surfaces of the forest green furniture. 

 

I was sifting through the slender writing desk when a knock came at the door.

 

“Ah, I see I was correct about your manners, Detective.”

 

“I’m just doing my job, Mr. Grady.”

 

“I understand, but, surely, you must know I have nothing to hide.”

 

I had just rounded the corner of his bed, to the side nearest the window, when I saw it: on the floor, and in 100 pieces, the remains of the large snowglobe were scattered and lying in a grey pool of water. The intricate brass base was intact, but whatever decor had been inside the globe was gone.

 

Still looking at the shattered glass, I said, “Oh, then what is the meaning of this, Mr. Grady?”

 

He gave me a suspicious look and came to stand next to me– stopping suddenly in his tracks when he saw it.

 

At once, he was red.

 

“What have you done, Detective!? I will NOT stand for your antics any longer!”

 

He fell to his knees, collecting the broken bits in his hands.

 

“I assure you, I had no time to dash your decorations to pieces, Mr. Grady– nor the inclination.”

 

“My decorations?!” he shouted. “This was Master Range’s most prized snow globe. He had it specially commissioned! ……Oh my god!!”

 

“Did you drop it by mistake?”

 

Turning from his efforts, he looked at me with daggers for eyes.

 

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!! The entire reason I was moved to this room was to watch over Mr. Range and his possessions. I would never betray his trust!”

 

“He asked you to guard his snowglobes?”

 

“No! This one was of specific interest to him. He was worried some of the guests might get nosey and asked me to hide it. So, not having a better idea, I put it under the bed– behind that post, there.”

 

 “What was so special about this globe?”

 

Continuing to collect as many of the pieces as he could, a distraught Mr. Grady said, “He...did not elaborate; and, being a professional in his employ, I did not ask.”

 

“When were you last here, Mr. Grady?”

 

“After the meeting; I briefly dozed on the bed before starting preparations for dinner at 4:30, as is my habit.”

 

“And it was in one piece when you left?”

 

“Yes. There is not a doubt about it. I checked myself.”

 

“Did the globe have some sort of special theming?”

 

“Yes,” he paused, unsure if he should continue, but then said, “you can see the base is fashioned into a dragon, Detective. That is Ladon, a legendary beast slain by Hercules, himself. It is the Master’s favorite story. The dragon was said to have guarded golden apples. What was once inside this globe was exactly that: an apple made of pure gold.”

 

“Who would know to look for such a thing?”

“I don’t know! But I did not say a word about, if that’s what you’re implying. Will that be all, Detective?”

 

“Yes. Thank you for your help, Mr. Grady.”

 

“Get out.”