22That afternoon, when all the guests had returned to La Baraque from their various touristic endeavors, they wandered around the property, aimless and ill at ease.
“You know, I’ve been thinking,” said Ira, talking to a group on the terrace. “I bet everyone booked their time at La Baraque as a kind of Valentine’s Day thing, right? Or, well, at least some of us did. And with all that’s happened, Valentine’s Day went by without anybody even mentioning it.”
“Because it’s a stupid commercial holiday that nobody cares about,” muttered Darcy.
“So—” said Ira, pressing on, “I know it’s awkward, with the investigation and all—but I propose we have a belated Valentine’s party. Nothing fancy, just a way to do something positive in spite of this whole mess.”
“I can’t believe you’re suggesting we h
