AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jane wasn’t shocked when Abigail and Maggie arrived together. They hadn’t known Lucy, but here they were to pretend to celebrate her life. No doubt for the very reasons Jane had given her friend. Or perhaps they were even here to pick their next victim!
Did the pair intend to leave clues for the next murder, as chapter three of Grave Actually suggested? Time would tell. Jane tapped her foot, anxious to get this started so the killer(s) could be revealed, but also, she was hesitant because…what if she were wrong? Or made things worse?
She’d begun to wonder if the killer(s) intended to commit one murder for each weapon in the board game, Clue. What remained was a dagger, rope, lead pipe and revolver. Could Aurelian Hills handle five more suspicious deaths?
Mason strode over, dark head held high, and a new—younger—woman on his arm. Proving to the community the defection of his fiancée meant nothing to him? His eyes narrowed when he spotted Abigail. She wore the ring once again and paid him not one iota of attention.
Ashley Katz came soon after Mason. The reporter showed amazing restraint, not rushing to any suspects and asking probing questions. She simply expressed her great sympathy.
Christopher arrived with Donnie and another firefighter, each man carrying a big bag of cat food in his arms. Jane pressed a hand over her heart. How sweet. They’d adhered to her wishes. In lieu of flowers, she’d asked everyone to bring supplies for a local animal rescue.
Donnie glanced at her and hastily looked away, not staring. Hmm. Because of guilt? Or had someone warned him to stop? He definitely wasn’t out of the running.
When the line of guests ended, Jane drew in a deep breath. Time for phase two of the plan. Her finger went to the wire hidden beneath the collar of her top as she scanned the crowd–all fellow residents of Aurelian Hills. Lucy’s friends from school, the bank and the vet’s office, along with every suspect Jane had hoped to attend. Well, except the mayor.
Peering up at Conrad, she patted his stubbled cheek. “I hope you’re ready.”
“Always.”
With another quick nod, she made her way to the podium on the dais, facing the crowd of thirty. As Lucy had no other living family, they weren’t tricking her loved ones into believing she died.
Jane cleared her throat and tapped the microphone. “Good afternoon.”
Conversations tapered off. All eyes swung to her. People in motion stopped, and anyone at the snack table meandered closer.
She offered her saddest smile. “Today we honor the life of Lucy Chang. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how wonderful she was. As a premier loan officer at the Bank of Aurelian Hills, she loved helping others realize their dreams. There’s probably not a new homeowner or ready-to-tackle-the-world entrepreneur in our lovely town who didn’t have her help in the last few years. She was also a devoted fur-mom, daughter and sister, willing to sacrifice everything for the family she adored.”
Jane scanned the faces of those watching her. Abigail and Maggie whispered among themselves. Mason glared at Abigail and drained a glass of sweet tea. Christopher pressed a hand over his heart, truly mourning the deceased. Donnie stared down at the ground.
“Lucy is survived by her precious fur-daughter Cartier. Someone she loved with her whole heart. With her dying breath, Lucy asked me to find Cartier, who is missing, and that is something I intend to do. Nothing and no one will stop me.” Careful. Rage had infiltrated Jane’s voice. She cleared her throat. “Let’s eat, drink and celebrate the life of our darling Lucy. If anyone would like to share a story about her, please feel free to do so.”
Jane dabbed her eyes before abandoning the stage to join Conrad and the crowd.
Conversations and motions resumed. Now for phase three. Mingling and pretending to be distracted.
Conrad bent down to whisper in her ear, “So far Trick and Isaac haven’t noticed anything suspicious on the camera feed.”
A disappointment, but not a devastation. The event wasn’t over. The killer still had plenty of opportunities to hide clues.
Her gaze fell on the reporter. “Maybe it’s time we stir things up by asking probing questions?” she whispered back. The other woman would be the perfect accomplice.
She’d start with Donnie. Except, he was no longer in his seat. Hmm. Where had he gone?
A thunderous boom shattered the solemnity, shaking the ground and jolting everyone from their quiet mourning. The crowd froze in place. What in the world? Gasps and cries erupted as thick black smoke rolled in from the Autumn Grove section of the cemetery, tainting the air with an acrid residue.
“Fire!” someone shouted, and screams rang out. People went running, slamming into each other. Beau raced toward ground zero.
A fire? Here?
“I’ll call 911,” Fiona proclaimed as Raymond gathered Tiffany and June, both in shock. Blood dripped from a gash across her half-sister’s temple, and Tiffany’s knees were scraped.
“What happened?” Jane demanded, a surge of protection swelling in her chest.
“We fell when the masses stampeded in every direction,” a panting Tiffany told her.
Fighting a tidal wave of fear, Jane shouted to Conrad, “Go! Help the boys. I’ll stay with Raymond and direct the people to safety.”
Conrad hesitated only a moment before commanding, “Keep your promise,” and sprinting off.
