Murder in Jamaica: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Paradise Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

carefully behind the glass and heard Lucy call out from behind the bathroom door.
    “Is someone out there?” her fragile voice asked.
    “It’s Anna Winters.” Anna began. “I heard a commotion, are you okay?”
    “Oh, Anna.” Lucy struggled to make herself sound friendly. “I’m fine. There was a minor incident. My husband went to get help. Someone broken into our room and robbed us. Please, leave now. He’ll be back with the police soon, I’m sure.”
    “Are you sure?” Anna asked. “If you need help, I can help you.”
    “Oh, heavens, no.” Lucy replied. “I’m fine. Just please go now before he gets back.”
    Anna turned and left the room in a hurry. At this point, she wasn’t sure what she should do. Part of her felt obligated to tell the police about the violence she witnessed. On the other hand, Harvey was a dangerous man and she didn’t want to run the risk of Lucy getting hurt worse if he assumed she was talking to other people. Anna found herself at a loss. One thing was certain, Harvey's temper suggested he was very capable of murder.
    As she turned the corner, Anna nearly fell over Courtney, who looked up at her.
    “Are you an angel?” Courtney asked.
    “Are you high?” Anna replied.
    “Oh, yeah.” Courtney laughed. “But I can afford it now. Don’t tell anyone, angel.”
    “What do you mean?” Anna pressed.
    “My secret boyfriend was Heath Westcott.” Courtney smiled. “He didn’t want to tell people because he said our love was best kept only between us. So I listened to him. He also told me he would leave me money in his will. Now that he’s dead, I am rich.”
    “How much money did he leave you?” Anna asked.
    “For an angel, you aren’t as all-knowing as I thought you’d be.” Courtney replied thoughtfully. “He just said a large sum of money would be paid to me. Good thing, too. My dealer was getting on me to get him money as quickly as possible. In a way, this was sort of a blessing in disguise.”
    “Did you kill your boyfriend, Courtney?” Anna asked.
    Courtney nodded off and fell asleep before replying to Anna. Her face looked peaceful as she lay on the floor, propped up against the wall. Anna couldn’t help but feel pity for the woman. A drug addiction can be a powerful, life-consuming thing. Part of her hoped the woman would see the money as a chance to get into rehab and get the help she needed. But something told Anna it would only prove to be an enabler.
    Leaving Courtney to sleep, Anna went down the hall to the stairwell. Entering it, she began to think about the events that had transpired over the course of the day and wondered what her next move should be. Exiting the stairwell door, she darted to the kitchen and walked inside.
    As the hotel prepared for dinnertime, the room was full of baking fish, chicken, steamed vegetables, and other enticing aromas that made Anna’s mouth water. Heading to her office, she was startled by a firm hand on her shoulder.
    Turning, she saw Pierre. Looking at him, Anna instinctively knew he wanted to talk about their relationship. Part of her didn’t want to ask, but she knew she had to.
    “What’s wrong, Pierre?” Her voice cracked.
    “I keep thinking I am doing something wrong.” Pierre whispered. “I want to have a relationship with you. But it is so hard for me. This isn’t the kind of thing I am used to doing. I know you think I am a player and all, but I do care about you, Anna.”
    “Save it.” Anna replied and raised a hand. “I’m tired of the game.”
    “No, I mean it.” Pierre pleaded. “We need to slow down some. I like you a lot. You are the greatest woman alive. But I am just not sure where I stand right now.”
    “Are you a hedonist?” Anna asked.
    “A what?” Pierre questioned.
    Anna looked at Pierre for a moment and continued. “I overheard someone calling themselves a hedonist. It is someone who believes in the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake. If that is what you are, that’s