Pumkin Pie and a Murder : A Nova Beck Cozy Mystery by Page Olivia

Author:Page , Olivia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sunshine Publishing
Published: 2024-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Help!”

They heard Anna’s croaked voice from upstairs, causing them to give in to reflex as they sprinted toward the direction, their heartbeat spiking at unhealthy levels.

“Stay behind me.”

Oliver instructed them and more to Nova. He would hate for her to get hurt. She let him take the lead, slowly running behind him.

The race up the long grand stairs took forever, with their shoes clicking and making silly noises.

“Oh,” Anna came into view, gasping for air as she clutched her throat. She was almost collapsing when Oliver caught her in time, gently lowering her flat onto the ground.

“Anna.”

She was still breathing, and there wasn't any need for CPR just yet. Her eyes are bulging out and reddened.

“Step backward.”

Nova shushed the crowd, moving to Oliver’s side as she crumbled to her feet to examine Anna.

“It's a good thing she's stable.”

She says, studying Anna’s flushed look.

“No!”

As if Anna snapped out of a bad dream, she sprung up and charged to run to safety.

“Relax, Anna, you're safe now.”

While Oliver reassured her with words, Nova held her hands and gently squeezed them.

Anna looked around in confirmation.

“Who's after you?”

Oliver’s tone was low to not trigger the agitated Anna. Two people were missing; Sophia and Lily, they needed to know which of them they were up against.

“I didn't see her face,” Anna sobbed. “She was on a mask and tried to knock me out.”

“Where were you?”

“Over there,” she answered Oliver, pointing in the direction of the terrace.

“I just needed to be alone and grieve, and she came after me.”

“I'm sorry you had to go through that.”

Oliver looked at Nova, pulling closer.

“We have to find the culprit now before she gets away.” Nova nodded.

“Mama Mia, please, could you help look after Anna?”

Nova took the initiative. They had to sort Anna’s security as their top priority.

“Of course, dear.”

Mama Mia tapped Mr. Mason, urging him to assist her too.

“I need everyone to go downstairs and remain in groups.”

Oliver took charge.

“You must never be alone on any occasion or wander past the safe zone without my permission.”

Obeying him without raising dust for the first time, as they stared at the aggressive face of danger, they latched onto themselves, creating a cluster.

“You'll need this.” Jackson held out a flashlight for them, and Nova took it. She saw a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Nova understood how hard it was for Jackson, seeing that his friend was not just accused of murder but seemed to be the right fit. For one who was accused twice, he felt her pain better than anyone in the room.

“We'll be right back.”

With that sorted out, Oliver got up, and so did Nova, as they headed toward the direction Anna pointed earlier.

It led them to the terrace, but no one was there. Oliver looked down, beholding the gross darkness from the unending height. The light at the side of the building was a fancy red one. It did nothing much.

“Thanks,” Oliver took the flashlight from Nova and shone it down the area.

“I doubt she jumped down,” Nova chipped in.

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.