“I, uh, changed your bedsheets earlier and left some fresh towels in the bathroom.”

“Great, thanks, Hopper.”

He looked uncomfortable. “And I guess I owe you an apology.”

“Why—what did you do?” she asked sharply. Had he been snooping through her stuff while attending to the room? Saw something he shouldn’t have?

“Jack told me you were pissed that I told him you were in Eagle Rock working the Lavelle case.” Hopper cast his eyes downward. “You were right to be upset. It was damn unprofessional of me to give out information on my guests like that. I completely understand if you want to seek alternative accommodation for the remainder of your stay in town, and I’ll be happy to refund the days you already paid for.”

“Forget about it.” Jessica dismissed his apology with the wave of a hand. “Actually, I was hoping to have another chat? If you’re not too busy, that is?”

“Sure. You want some coffee?”

“I’d love some. Black. No sugar.”

“Grab a seat. I’ll bring it over.”

Jessica sat awkwardly on one of the wicker couches, trying to make herself as comfortable as possible while it creaked loudly in protest under her weight. Hopper placed two steaming paper cups of coffee on the table in front of them and took the seat facing the one she sat on.

“What do you want to chat about?” he asked.

“Did Eleanor Lavelle stay here at the motel for a while when she first arrived in Eagle Rock?”

“Yes, she did. That’s right.”

“You didn’t mention she was a guest here when I first asked you about her.”

“I didn’t think it was relevant.”

“According to Ace Freeman, Eleanor was more like a resident than a regular guest. Long-term stay.”

“Yeah. A couple of months. Maybe three.”

“He also said some other stuff.”

Jessica noticed Hopper’s jaw clench.

“I’ll bet he did,” he said.

“He said there were some rumors about you and Eleanor. Rumors you were in a relationship and she was staying here for free.”

Jessica expected an angry response from Hopper, but he just drank some coffee and then set down the cup with a weary sigh.

“Those rumors were started by Ace Freeman himself.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he’s a spiteful, jealous man who hates my guts. Has for more than forty years.”

“Why?”

“A cute little blonde by the name of Crissy Smith, that’s why. She and Ace dated a few times in high school, but it was nothing serious at the time. At least not to her it wasn’t. Ace was a different story altogether. When I asked her to senior prom and she said yes, he was furious. He’s never forgiven me.”

Jessica remembered Freeman’s comment about Hopper having never married.

“What happened to this Crissy Smith?” she asked.

Hopper smiled sadly and looked at her with eyes filled with pain.