Murder in the Commune: The Private Investigator Annie Hudson Mystery Series: Book Four by Valerie Brandy

Author:Valerie Brandy [Brandy, Valerie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emerald Lion Press
Published: 2025-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

MARK

The cool evening air slid down Mark's throat as he headed for his truck, pulling his jacket tighter around his shoulders. It was a warm, fluffy coat made from environmentally friendly goose-down substitute, and it was supposed to keep Mark warm even under the toughest of conditions. But tonight, the coat wasn't working. Mark felt a chill under his skin that came from somewhere inside him. It was guilt, perhaps, for failing to honor Russel's final wish.

I should tell them about the map, he thought to himself, a shiver running down his spine. He remembered the moments he'd spent with Russel since his arrival. Hours they'd shared together fishing at the lake. Slow, steady hikes through the forest, the two of them picking up leaves to compare. In a place like Serenity Peaks, there wasn't much to do. It was the people you were surrounded by that made the land feel like home. And Russel was the first person who had made Mark feel at home.

Mark headed toward his truck, eager to prepare for tonight's festivities. The Commune was holding a surprise event organized by Tania, who thought the group could use a boost. Mark was the only resident who was in on Tania's secret party plans, and he had been tasked with making a quick trip into town to pick up some supplies. As usual, he was running behind schedule.

Mark stopped at the door to his truck, then froze, his breath catching in his throat as he noticed something strange about the passenger side. The glovebox hung wide open, reminding Mark of a jaw dropped in surprise. Its lock had been smashed in and destroyed with brute force, pieces of the device laying on the floor mat. Beside them, tiny clumps of charred paper littered the floor.

The map, Mark thought, his heart pounding. Someone got the map.

His mind reeled. This was significant. Russel had never been completely honest with Mark about his past, and Mark had never pushed. He had never asked questions, because when you loved someone, you just had to be there for them— simple as that.

But now, Mark needed to understand what Russel had gotten him into.

And there was only one person who could help him untangle the web of lies that now threatened the life he had built:

Fleur.

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.