Her Silent Night: A Martina Monroe Christmas Thriller by H.K. Christie

Author:H.K. Christie [Christie, H.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Keekstar Media
Published: 2025-09-28T00:00:00+00:00

24

DETECTIVE KATE MADDOX

The road curved gently before dropping into a pocket of trees. The apartment complex came into view, crouched low against a strip of redwood trees. The ground beneath was carpeted in damp leaves, the kind that muffled footsteps. I slowed, my eyes tracking the gaps between the trunks. There were a dozen places someone could stand unseen, watching. Too close to the building. Too easy for someone to slip out of sight the moment you let your guard down.

I parked in the closest stall to Natalie’s apartment. The twelve-unit building sat tucked against a strip of trees, the branches swaying in the breeze just over the hill, close enough to muffle the noise from the gritty streets of Oakland.

Stepping out, I scanned the lot. Empty. Too quiet. Even the usual hum of traffic felt distant. Something was wrong. I could feel it in my chest. I took the path to her first-floor apartment, my steps quickening. When I knocked, my gaze dropped automatically to the doormat’s usual spot. Instead of the faded “Welcome” lettering, there was only a faint outline in the dirt, where the mat had once been.

Natalie opened the door almost instantly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“What is it?”

“Come in.”

Her apartment was as neat as I remembered, every surface clear, every chair aligned just so. But on the dining table sat her missing welcome mat. At its center rested a snow globe.

“That was on my doorstep this morning.”

I moved closer to inspect it.

“I didn’t touch it in case it’s evidence.”

“Why would it be evidence?”

She nodded toward the base. “Look. On the edge.”

Leaning in, I spotted it. Dark brownish smears in what looked like a star or snowflake design. “When did you find it?”

“I went out for a run about an hour ago. That’s when I saw it. Do you think someone’s been reading my articles and trying to freak me out?”

“It’s possible.” My chest tightened. “Has anything out of the ordinary happened this morning?”

Natalie shook her head.

Someone creeped up to Natalie’s door and set down what looked like a bloody snow globe and then vanished. Who would do that? A psychotic killer, maybe?

I pulled out my phone and texted Martina.

What image is on this morning’s Christmas card?

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