Poison in the Pastry (Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series Book 5) by Laura Pauling

Author:Laura Pauling [Pauling, Laura]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Redpoint Press
Published: 2015-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

***

Thirty minutes later and twenty pointed texts from Millicent, Holly stood outside the Fairview Inn. Uncertain. Should she walk inside? The air tonight was crisp and cold. For the first time in what seemed like forever, there was no wind. Bright stars blanketed the sky. Everything was still and silhouetted by the moon. Beautiful. The old inn stood like a towering ghost; the windows were eyes peering down at her.

Her skin prickled. She scanned the windows. Was someone watching? She shrugged it off. It was her imagination.

“Psst!” Millicent poked her head from around the corner of the building. “Over here.”

Holly hurried toward her. “Don’t we look more suspicious if we act sneaky?”

Millicent huffed. “Let me worry about the details. Don’t want you to strain your brain. You’ve already wasted precious time because you couldn’t say goodbye to lover boy.”

Holly started to protest.

“Don’t even try. I know everything. It’s called looking through the windows.” When she said it, Millicent leaned close. Her pale complexion seemed even paler, almost glowing, under the moon. She handed Holly gloves. “Wear these. Follow me.”

Millicent whirled and headed to the fire escape. The black rickety stairs creaked under the slightest weight. Holly hesitated. Every instinct said this wasn’t safe.

“Come on,” Millicent hissed from halfway up.

Holly didn’t bother arguing as they climbed to the third floor and entered the building. Inside, the warmth enveloped her. With a finger to her lips, Millicent unlocked and entered the first door on the right.

“Drop your stuff.” Millicent pointed. “This is our room.”

Holly placed her bag on the floor, and then joined Millicent back in the hall.

“They went to dinner late. Usually, they hang around and have a cocktail so the night isn’t a complete waste, but we’ll have to move fast.” Millicent studied Holly’s clothes. “You should’ve worn black but we don’t have time. Let’s go.”

Wear black? This wasn’t a spy movie. Holly followed obediently, wishing Charlene, Kitty, and Ann were close by.

Millicent pointed to a room four doors down. She whispered, “This is Dagger’s room. I don’t think you’ll find much but who knows. Look for emails. Anything suspicious.”

“Thanks. I got it. Where did you get those?”

Millicent held up a master key. “Let’s just say I know people.”

“When should we meet back?”

“Fifteen minutes. To be safe.” Millicent went across the hall and disappeared into Misty’s room.

Holly hesitated. An oriental rug ran the length of the narrow hall. Oil paintings of the town hung on the walls. Vases filled with flowers stood on end tables. She’d love to come back. Not on a mission. With a sigh and feeling completely unmotivated, Holly entered Dagger’s room.

First, she texted Trent.

We’re staying the night! At the Inn!

Breaking and entering? Sounds like Millicent’s ammo. Trent texted.

I’m in Dagger’s room.

A few seconds passed and Trent ended with, Be careful.

A quick scan with her penlight revealed a double bed, dresser, wardrobe, a small fireplace, suitcase at the foot of the bed...and a laptop right on the pillow. Gold mine.

Shrugging off the guilt, she opened the laptop. The screen flickered, then a document appeared.

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