Murder Has No Class Read Online Free PDF

Handsome, even in anger. Young, with piercing blue eyes and an aristocratic nose. For a moment she saw a softening of his features, and then the torment returned, distorting his face once more.
    He raised both hands, the fingers outstretched like claws, threatening her so that she drew back. Fright made her voice sharp as she flung a command at him. “Go away! I can’t help you. Leave me alone!”
    He seemed not to understand, since he drew even closer, his lips drawn back and teeth bared.
    Meredith reached for the small clock she kept by the bedside. Raising her hand she hurled it at the ghost, yelling, “Go away! Leave me alone!”
    The clock flew through the apparition and hit the dresser behind with a thump before crashing to the floor. At the sound, the figure began to blur, the mist curling around as if to protect him. Then the red faded to pink, and the cloud shrunk to a puff of pink smoke, and disappeared.
    Moments later, while Meredith was still trying to quell the tremors that shook her body, a loud rapping on her door made her leap up in fright.
    “Meredith? Are you all right?”
    It was Felicity’s voice, sharp with concern. Meredith scrambled out of bed, snatching up her dressing gown before rushing to the door. She flung it open and dragged a startled Felicity into her room.
    “Whatever is it? You’re as white as a . . . oh, Lord.” Felicity’s sharp gaze raked Meredith’s face. “You’ve seen it again.”
    Meredith nodded, then drew her friend over to the bed and sank down on the edge. “It was awful. A man, and he was enraged. Quite terrifying, actually.”
    “Of course,” Felicity said, her voice heavy with malice. “What else can you possibly expect from a man—selfish, arrogant beasts.”
    “I just didn’t expect . . .” Meredith shivered, and drew her dressing gown closer around her throat.
    “It was bound to happen sooner or later.” Felicity sat down next to her. “After all, your first ghost was Kathleen, our dear departed teacher and friend, and the second was an innocent little girl. It was only a matter of time before you conjured up a man.”
    Meredith bristled. “I did not conjure up anyone. He came to me. If I had any choice in the matter, I would much prefer to be left alone. This ghost business is becoming quite a nuisance.”
    “That’s putting it mildly.” Felicity yawned. “I did warn you what would happen if you insisted on helping the other two. If there is such a thing as the spirit world, obviously the word has spread that there is a misguided woman down below who’s willing to risk life and limb to help whoever has died in questionable circumstances. No doubt they are all jostling each other to be the next in line.”
    Meredith gave her a sharp look. “This is no laughing matter, Felicity. This man could be dangerous.”
    “My dear friend, all men are dangerous. Believe me, I have good reason to know that.”
    The sour expression on Felicity’s face was a familiar one. Meredith had always known that her friend had no time for any man, and had often felt the urge to ask her why.
    The thought of lying alone in the dark, afraid to go to sleep for fear of nightmares, gave her the courage to broach the subject. Perhaps, if she kept Felicity talking for a little while longer, her nerves would settle.
    Treading carefully, she murmured, “I wish I knew why you harbor such ill will toward your fellow man.”
    Felicity slid a sideways glance at her. “Man being the operative word. I have nothing against women or children.”
    “Then why, Felicity? What happened to you that made you detest every man on earth, good or bad?”
    Felicity sniffed. “There is no such thing on earth as a good man.”
    “Oh, come now. Must you be so judgmental?”
    “When it comes to men, yes.” Felicity looked down at her hands, clasped together in her lap. “Very well. I suppose I should have told you before now. I must ask, however, that you never pass this on to a living