Intrigued by Z.L. Arkadie

Author:Z.L. Arkadie
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942857471
Publisher: Flaming Hearts Press LLC

Surprise Surprise

HOLLY HENDERSON

On the walk back to the mansion, I call my colleague Kylie Neeland.

The line rings twice before she says, “Hello?”

“Hi Kylie, it’s me, Holly Henderson.”

She sneezes. “I know. Your name came up on my screen. That’s why I answered. I figured if the great Holly Henderson is calling me, then I’m interested to know why. So what’s going on?” She sounds stuffy but eager to hear what I have to say.

It’s chillier out now that my hair is damp but pulled in a bun. I hug myself as I walk slowly away from the house and down a secluded path flanked by tall evergreens for more privacy. “I’m at the Blackstone Family mansion.”

“Oh, the evil Vlads. Wait, they invited you to the party? They must have a death wish.”

I snort a chuckle. “I’m actually spending Christmas with them.”

“Get out of here.” I can’t see her, but I can tell she pepped up quite a bit after hearing that.

“Yes. Long story short, Bryn hired me to do some deep investigation of her family. She’s writing the family’s biography.”

Kylie scoffs. “I doubt it’ll tell the whole truth.”

“You never know,” I say, as I stop and stand against a tall tree to shield myself from an icy breeze that’s blowing through this path I found.

“Oh, I know,” she strongly claims. “And is Jasper okay with her little book?”

I roll my eyes, thinking about how much Jasper isn’t with the program. “Not, really.”

“I didn’t think he would be,” she says, sounding less sick than she had when we first started our conversation. “There’s a reason no one else has picked up where I left off. Actually, you’re the first person who’s called to inquire about what I may have found out about them. I presume that’s why you’re calling.”

I try not to hesitate for too long. No, I didn’t call to learn what she discovered about the Blackstones but I sure will like to know. “You presume right,” I say. “Would you care to share?”

“I can’t.”

I jerk my head back in surprise. “Why not?”

“I’m not allowed to say.”

“Is it because of Jasper?”

“I’m not allowed to say.”

That would be a yes. “Did it have anything to do with what happened at the coroner’s office?”

She pauses. “I’m not allowed to say.”

That’s another yes. “Did your investigation of the family ever take you to Chattanooga?”

“Chattanooga? What’s in Chattanooga?”

That was a no.

“And by the way, if you’re in their house, asking me these questions, then I’m going to hang up.”

I bend and expand my freezing fingers, trying to keep the blood flowing. “I’m not in the house. But, I can’t leave and I have an address in Chattanooga. Care to check out things for me?”

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