Murder Actually Read Online Free PDF Page B

my arm.
    â€œNobody move!” I shouted. “Charlotte’s going to fix the fuse.”
    No one listened. The group, fueled by champagne and adrenaline, began trying to move as one body out the front door. I grunted as an elbow struck me in the ribs and felt another blow to my leg as I vainly tried to peer through the dim moonlight. I couldn’t distinguish one face from another and had a confused impression of jumbled bodies and blank white expressions.
    After what seemed like an eternity the lights came back on, glaring and intense, and the crowd suddenly stopped its desperate plunge to the exit. People stood blinking at one another, looking sheepish, I heard someone laugh.
    I didn’t feel like laughing.
    Rose Elliott lay huddled next to the information desk, her face covered in blood.
    I watched Sabrina bend over her sister, and Coco Ware hurried forward and knelt at her other side.
    â€œI’m alright,” Rose said faintly. “It’s just a little cut.”
    Sabrina scowled, concern written across her face. “What happened?”
    â€œSomeone pushed me; I fell and cut my head.”
    â€œAre you okay?” Coco asked worriedly.
    Rose struggled to sit upright. “Yes, I’m fine! It’s only a tiny cut. You know head wounds bleed like crazy.”
    She was right. The handkerchief she was holding was already soaked and there was blood liberally spattered on both her and Sabrina.
    â€œIt must’ve been this.” Sabrina picked a letter opener off the floor. “I guess it got brushed off the counter and hit you.”
    â€œYou might’ve been killed!” Coco exclaimed.
    Rose shook her head. “Not likely; look how dull it is. It just gave me a little scratch. I’m okay now. Can you help me up, please?”
    They helped Rose to her feet and she handed the handkerchief back to Coco. “Thanks.”
    Coco put the handkerchief in her bag as Alex approached. “Are you alright?” she asked.
    â€œOf course I’m alright,” he said irritably. “Why wouldn’t I be? What’s the matter with Rose? She’s a mess.”
    â€œShe fell and hurt herself.”
    â€œThis place is a death trap. The lights must’ve gone out because of the storm.” He suddenly pulled away from Coco. “Careful! You got blood on my cuff.”
    â€œI’ll rinse it out when we get home.”
    â€œLet’s go, then; I think we can safely assume this party is over.”
    They steered their way through the crowd as Charlotte re-emerged from the back of the store. Her face was flushed and her hair tousled. When she saw Rose she let out an exclamation of distress.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œIt’s okay, Charlotte. Rose cut her head, she’s fine.”
    Charlotte pulled a box of band-aids from behind the counter and applied one to Rose’s head, then looked around the room. “What a mess! I think we’ve had enough excitement for one night. Let’s wrap it up before someone gets killed.” She turned towards me and began to clap. “Thank you, everyone, for coming out and supporting Ms. Gray and The Cheesecake Diaries . Have a safe trip home.”
    There was a scattered smattering of applause as those remaining headed towards the door. I signed a few final copies of my book and said goodnight to Rose and Sabrina.
    Julia was among the last to leave and gave my arm a squeeze. “That was quite a party, Betts.”
    I smiled at her wanly and promised to call the next day. The last stragglers finally deserted the picked-over remnants of appetizers and warm champagne. After everyone had gone I stood with Charlotte at the front door and we silently regarded the trampled remains of canapé and scattered champagne glasses. As much as I needed to get back to work, I felt guilty for leaving Charlotte with such a mess.
    â€œI’ll stay and help pick up,” I said.
    Charlotte passed a hand over her