HER SISTER'S KILLER an absolutely gripping killer thriller full of twists by MICHELLE S. SMITH

Author:MICHELLE S. SMITH [SMITH, MICHELLE S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Joffe Books psychological thrillers and crime
Published: 2021-08-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

The evening was cool, and Victoria had her feet tucked up on the shabby-chic couch, her sweater pulled over her knees and her cup cradled in her hands.

Janet sipped her tea and looked over at her. “So, the annual Hair Ball Gala is coming up,” she said Janet.

“Hair Ball? Are you kidding me?”

In reply, Janet held across her phone to Victoria so she could see the online advert for herself. “Don’t you remember from when we were kids? It’s at the Keene Country Club, and it’s to collect money for shelter animals. The theme is Mission: PAWSible. You go dressed as a secret agent.”

“Enjoy. Sounds fun.” Victoria took a sip of tea.

“I’m not going alone. Blake phoned to say they’re only getting back the day after the ball. Apparently they’re enjoying themselves and have been adopted by a stray puppy who follows them everywhere. Anyway, long story short, you’re coming with me to the ball.”

“No way,” Victoria said hastily. “You’re on your own.”

“And if Steve asks you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Victoria snapped. “Things are tense between us right now.”

“What happened?”

“I accused him of hitting Todd, the war vet,” Victoria muttered. She explained the story.

“That’s insane!” Janet exclaimed. “Why would he do that? From what you told me, Todd is permanently drinking or suffering from withdrawal. He probably fell.”

“Maybe,” replied Victoria in a small voice. “Actually, that’s what Steve says happened.”

“There you go,” Janet replied. She stared at Victoria hard. “You’re deliberately sabotaging any chance with Steve. You know that?” she asked. “Did you see Todd fall at all?”

“Yes,” replied Victoria. A sinking feeling spread down through her chest and into her stomach.

“And was it hard enough to cause bruising?

“I guess. Maybe. I don’t really remember how he fell.”

“So why are you so scared?”

Victoria put down her teacup so she could wrap her arms around her knees. “I keep wondering if I can trust him, you know.”

“Victoria, this is Steve we’re talking about. You’ve known him since you were a teenager.”

“Yeah, but I wonder if he’s withholding something from me. When we first met up after my sister’s death, he called her Becky. No one does that except those really close to her.”

“The guy knew her! Of course he was close to her!”

“But even so—”

Janet interrupted her. “Okay, then, what about going to the ball with John?”

“Why John?”

“He went out of his way to check up on you yesterday when you went back to Norway Pond. And then he walked you home again. And sat drinking coffee with us for an hour.”

“I think he’s lonely. He lost his wife a while back.”

“So help him feel less lonely!”

“Will you cut it out?” Victoria exclaimed. “I’m not interested! Didn’t you hear me say his wife died recently? He’s working through her death.”

Janet lifted her eyebrows. “He’d obviously worked through enough to fall for your sister.”

“That’s another reason not to go with him.” Victoria lifted her head. “He still hasn’t told me what exactly their relationship was. Why would a guy who’d agreed just to be friends call her every day for three weeks? Makes him seem more like a stalker.

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