Pattern of Betrayal by Mae Fox & Amy Lillard

Author:Mae Fox & Amy Lillard [Fox, Mae & Lillard, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781573674829
Publisher: Annie's
Published: 2015-03-30T04:00:00+00:00

Dinner was a quiet affair—as most of the meals had become. There was no denying that the inn’s first murder mystery weekend had turned out to be a disastrous affair. Julie thought it was a solid argument against ever hosting another one. But knowing the owner the way Julie did, she was sure Millie would do whatever she felt like doing. It was one of the reasons Julie both admired her and wanted to strangle her at the same time.

Rich tomato soup started their meal, followed by a fresh green salad. Then the main course: Amish-inspired oven-fried chicken. Hannah had outdone herself again. The chicken was crispy on the outside, not too greasy, and perfectly seasoned. On the inside, it was tender and juicy.

The guests seemed to think so as well. Even Gregory was more relaxed. It appeared that the way to his good side might be through his stomach.

“This is so delicious,” Sadie said.

Joyce moaned in response.

It was good, but hardly that good. Julie glanced up to see Joyce close her eyes. OK, maybe it was to some people.

Julie looked back to her plate but then jerked up her head as Susan screamed.

“Oh my word! Joyce is dying!” Susan exclaimed. “The killer struck again!”

Joyce careened over, falling to the floor with a soft thud.

Kenneth was on his feet in a split second. He raced to Joyce’s side, turning her and grabbing her wrist to check her pulse.

Susan screamed again.

Julie rushed over to Kenneth. “What’s wrong with her?” She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed 911.

He shook his head. “Her pulse is fast, and her breathing is shallow.”

“Does anyone know CPR?” Liam asked.

Kenneth shot him a look.

“Right. You’re a doctor. Sorry.”

Julie relayed the information to the dispatcher, who promised to send an ambulance immediately. She hung up the phone and looked at the older woman. Her eyes were closed; she looked like she was asleep.

“Oh my,” Sadie gasped, placing a hand over her mouth. “This is terrible.”

Everyone hovered around, but Kenneth motioned them back. “Give her some room.”

“Has she had a heart attack?” Carrie asked.

“It appears so, but I’m a podiatrist. And it’s been a long time since med school.”

“Wait!” Sadie grabbed Joyce’s handbag and started rifling through the contents. “Joyce is allergic to peanuts. Maybe she accidentally ate one.”

“Could this be anaphylactic shock?” Julie asked Kenneth. She was no doctor, but it really looked like a heart attack to her. And Joyce was no spring chicken. Plus, Hannah was the most careful person there was; if Joyce had a peanut allergy, she knew about it.

“Here.” Sadie found the EpiPen and held it toward Kenneth. Her hand was shaking.

“I’ve never seen anaphylaxis look like this,” he mused, his hand still on her pulse. “There’s no swelling or rash of any kind.”

“Please,” Sadie said, tears in her eyes. “If you wait too long, she’ll certainly die.”

Kenneth hesitated but then took the pen and administered the shot into Joyce’s thigh just as Hannah entered with a shocked look on her face.

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