A Fright to the Death Read Online Free PDF Page B

she recovered quickly. “Sorry, I’m so used to asking personal questions at work that sometimes I forget . . .”
    “It’s fine.” I smiled to reassure her. But how do I answer a question I had been asking myself every day for the past couple of months?
    My search for a new career was reaching a critical point. My sister, Grace, had a knack for investing in the stock market and she had parlayed my inheritance from last summer into a great nest egg. But I couldn’t continue to use the money I had inherited for everyday expenses and I was getting bored. I didn’t want to return to police work. I had tolive in Crystal Haven for at least six more months before I could sell the house or move out—an odd and meddling stipulation of the will.
    I chose the simplest route. “I doubt I’ll move back to Ann Arbor, but I’m still figuring out what I’ll do next.”
    “I understand that,” Tina said. “I feel like I change careers almost as often as Amy changes her hair color.”
    The three of them laughed, and I grinned at them.
    Heather tilted her head and looked into my eyes. “Your aunt was right: Your eyes are very striking. You know, people used to think that indicated psychic abilities.”
    I looked away. “Yes, I’ve heard that.”
    “Uh-oh.” Amy tilted her pink head toward the refreshment area. “You might want to go rescue your boyfriend. Clarissa doesn’t take no for an answer—ever.”
    I turned and saw Mac holding two drinks and leaning away from a stunning blonde who was invading his personal space. She wore a tight black pencil skirt with a leopard-print blouse and shiny five-inch black heels. A panther stalking its prey flashed into my mind. She didn’t seem to be picking up on his signals, but I caught the SOS look he shot me.
    “Excuse me,” I said to the knitters.
    I heard quiet giggles from the trio as I made my way across the room toward Mac.
    “This is Clyde,” Mac said, when I was still several feet away.
    “Another surprise visitor! This weekend is getting more and more exciting.” The blonde turned a brilliant smile in my direction. It rapidly fled when she saw me.
    Mac handed me my drink and slung an arm over my shoulder.
    “Ah, I see,” Clarissa said. “Well, you can’t blame a girl for trying.”
    Something caught her attention over my shoulder and her lips tightened.
    “You must be the guests the storm blew in!” a woman with mousy blond curls said as she came from behind us to stand next to Clarissa. The two couldn’t have dressed differently if they’d tried. Jessica wore comfortable flats, khakis, and a cozy-looking cardigan over a white T-shirt. “I’m Jessica Garrett, one of the owners. I see you’ve met Clarissa.”
    “We were just getting acquainted,” Clarissa said. She finished her drink in one long swallow.
    “I hope you’ll enjoy your time here,” Jessica said. “I heard you had planned a warmer vacation than this one.”
    “I’m sure it will be very relaxing,” I said. “The hotel is beautiful.”
    “You’ll have to return when we have the spa open,” Clarissa said. “Have you ever had a spa treatment?” She looked me over and did not appear impressed.
    “Once or twice,” I said. “What I really like is the sense of stepping back in time. It feels like a different century here.”
    Jessica’s smile appeared more triumphant than pleased. “See, Clarissa? People like the cozy feel of antiques and warm colors.”
    Clarissa’s lip curled. “They’ll like the new look even better, I’m sure. I can’t wait to update this place.” She swung an arm to encompass the whole lounge. “If we can convince your mother to part with even a few of her precious antiques, we can bring this . . . castle into the twenty-first century.”
    Jessica’s triumphant smile slipped into a frozen, not-in-front-of-the-guests grimace. “Clarissa, could I speak to you in the hallway?” She turned to Mac and me. “Excuse us.”
    Clarissa beamed at Mac,