Murder Out of Character by Olivia Matthews

Author:Olivia Matthews
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing
Published: 2022-05-05T09:50:44+00:00

“Were you followed?” I asked as soon as Spence answered his cell phone Monday night. I’d timed the call for when he entered his home, which I’d estimated to be thirteen minutes after he’d taken me home.

However, Spence greeted my question with a silence that had a tinge of disbelief. It reminded me of the dubious expression he’d given me when I offered him the toll-free number for the national poison help hotline.

“Marvey? Why are you calling? Is something wrong?”

“I want to make sure you got home safely.” I paced circles in my living room. “At the very least, I want whoever’s targeting you to know people are watching over you.”

Spence sighed. In the background, I heard a jingling sound from metal hitting metal. Was he putting away his keys? “I appreciate your concern, but I think the killer’s getting that message from the increased police patrols around my house.”

I nodded my satisfaction although Spence couldn’t see me. “I’m glad to hear about the patrols. And I hope the killer’s noticed. The sooner this is done, the sooner my parents can relax.”

He chuckled softly. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’d like to invite your parents to dinner with my mother and me when they come to visit. I’ll make a regional entrée that’ll give them a taste of Georgia.”

I dropped onto my sofa. Phoenix leaped onto the cushion beside me, then made himself comfortable on my lap. “Spence, that would be wonderful. They’d absolutely love it. Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure. And thank you for being so assertive with the investigation. I appreciate your concern for my safety.”

“We’re friends, Spence. Of course I’m going to hunt down whoever’s threatening you.” I stroked Phoenix’s back as I tried to picture Spence in his home. Was he sitting on his sofa too? His living room was modern and comfortable. “Tons of people care about you. In fact, Jo’s scheduled an appointment with Reba McRaney tomorrow afternoon to see if we can find anything to link her to the murders.”

Surprised laughter escaped him. “She’s getting her hair done as cover for the investigation? I appreciate her sacrifice.”

His humor was contagious. “She’s excited. She says it’s been a while since she’s treated herself to a salon day.”

“Then I’m glad the investigation has given her the opportunity.”

I cuddled Phoenix closer. “I hope it proves fruitful. Just continue to be careful, Spence. Be aware of your surroundings, and don’t take anything ingestible from people you don’t know. Or even from people you do know.” Spence didn’t know any strangers and the killer could be anyone.

“I promise, Marvey. Please don’t worry so much.”

It was hard not to worry when the days were flying by while our investigation stood still. The killer had murdered Hank and Nelle two weeks apart. This Saturday would be two weeks since Nelle’s death. If the killer stayed true to schedule, either Brittany or Spence could be in danger this weekend.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.