Book Club Bloodshed Read Online Free PDF Page A

Please.”
    “Okay. Sure! No problem.” Noreen started walking and Missy knew she was in real trouble now. Before Noreen reached the sidewalk in front of the library, she looked back over her shoulder and mouthed some words:
    Help me.

Chapter Five
     
    Eventually one of the cops told Missy she had to go home. Another twenty minutes had passed and Noreen was still inside the library, facing Tyler’s questions again. When she opened her mouth to protest, the cop cut her off.
    “We’ll make sure she gets home safe and sound. You go on ahead now.”
    Missy didn’t care for his tone. The cop was really a kid. His youth hit home for her. She had probably been just starting high school when he was born. It made her feel old.
    Missy smiled politely and got into her car. Her phone had died over an hour ago, so she plugged it into the charger.
    As she exited the parking lot, the phone buzzed signaling a voicemail or text. It was probably from earlier when the phone was dead. She figured it was her mother, probably calling to check in and make sure Missy was okay.
    She got home fifteen minutes later. Her exhaustion was bone-deep. Cody met her at the front door. Missy rubbed her back, loving the feel of her rust-colored coat. Cody immediately plopped down and rolled onto her back, begging for the belly rub. Missy was happy to comply. The dog, after all, had saved her life six months ago.
    Each step upstairs required effort, she was so tired. Cody ran right past her, full of boundless energy. In her bedroom, Missy got changed into her favorite pajamas, loving how they were a little loose in the hips now.
    She climbed into bed and the cold sting of the fresh sheets was invigorating. She plugged her phone into the charger and put it on the nightstand before pulling her bedspread up.
    It was then she remembered she had a message.
    Exhausted, Missy turned out the light and rolled over. The message would be waiting for her tomorrow when she woke up. Whenever she woke up. Tomorrow was that rare day where she could sleep in. It would feel great.
    But what if it was Noreen calling? Maybe she’d been arrested.
    Missy frowned. If Noreen was in that much trouble, she would have called several times till she got an answer. Missy decided it could wait and closed her eyes.
    Five minutes later she was still thinking about her phone.
    Sitting up, she took the phone off the nightstand and put her glasses on. It was a text from Trudy:
    We need to talk.
    Missy put a hand over her mouth. She had no idea who this could be. But it had to be related to Anne’s death. Getting a random text from a stranger about anything else would be way too coincidental.
    Missy sat up, fully awake now despite her earlier exhaustion. She put her feet on the rug, where space was at a premium because Cody always slept on it. The dog snored softly.
    It was pretty late so Missy didn't think she should call Trudy, who had a husband and two young children. But she was intrigued by the text message. Maybe Trudy had seen something? But if she had, she would have already shared it with the police.
    Wouldn't she?
    The best and only way to find out would be to talk to her. Instead of calling and possibly waking up Trudy's entire household, Missy thumbed a text.
    Call me if you're still awake.
    Missy laid back down, and before her head even hit the pillow, her phone rang.
    "Trudy?"
    "Missy." Trudy's voice was a whisper. Missy pictured the forty-year-old mother down in her living room, probably wearing a robe and speaking in a hushed tone so as not to wake everybody else up. "Are you home?"
    "Yes." Missy got out of bed. Cody just kept on sleeping as Missy went downstairs. "Are you okay?"
    "I'm worried."
    As she listened, Missy went into the kitchen. She was on autopilot as she opened the cupboard and grabbed a bag of pretzels. Fortunately, before she got it open, she realized what she was about to engage in that big no-no: mindless eating. She put the bag