A Walk on the Haunted Side (Haunted Tour Guide Mystery Book 2) by Rose Pressey Read Free Book Online Page B

It had been known to happen in the past.
    “Hello,” I called out. “Are you okay?”
    The man didn’t answer. I didn’t know what to think. Everyone paused around me. 
    “Is that a body?” the leather jacket guy said from over my shoulder.
    I stepped a little closer. It was at that moment I realized who was on the ground. I screamed and threw the flashlight in the air. I spun around and clutched my chest.
    The two men ran past me and over to the body. After regaining my composure, I grabbed my flashlight so that we could see better, and ran over beside the men. I focused the light on the man on the ground.
    Hank Key was lying between two old headstones.
    The middle-aged man turned to me and said, “He’s dead.”

Chapter 7
     
    “What? No, that can’t be true.” Goosebumps rippled along my skin.
    “I’ll call the police,” one of the women said.
    My mind couldn’t register what I was seeing. This couldn’t be happening. I scanned the cemetery, but didn’t see Cady. Had she decided not to come? What had happened to Hank?
    Looks of horror covered everyone’s faces. We stood in shocked silence until the police arrived. Luckily, it hadn’t taken more than a couple minutes. I was relieved when we were no longer alone with the body.
    “The man is over there.” I pointed.
    The officer peered across the darkened cemetery. For a moment he looked at me as if I was making this whole thing up. Like maybe it was a prank.
    “He’s definitely gone,” the young guy added.
    “Let’s step back now.” I motioned for everyone to follow me.
    The officer took off in a sprint and another officer soon followed him. I’d only been with Hank a short time ago. How could this have happened?
    The group gathered with me at the front entrance. I hated that I had pulled my tourgoers into this situation. But there was really nothing I could have done to avoid it. I would have to offer them a refund because I doubted they would want to ever come back now that this had happened.
    I watched as the activity played out in the cemetery. After a few minutes, I spotted Brannon Landon. He must have felt my eyes on him because he quickly looked my way. Brannon looked especially handsome in his crisp blue uniform. He had strong cheekbones and an infectious smile. His thick dark hair was cut short, but peeked out from below his hat. I tried not to stare, but he was just gorgeous and occasionally I had to steal a glance.
    After a couple seconds, Brannon stopped talking to the officer and headed in my direction. I ran through what I would say in my mind. I hoped that I didn’t seem too nervous, but after all, I had just discovered a body. It seemed I had a knack for this—it was the second time since I’d arrived back in Devil’s Moon a month ago. That wasn’t a talent that I wanted to possess at all. 
    Brannon walked over to me. “Rip, what happened?”
    He looked shocked that I was here. I didn’t know what to tell him. I’d seen the body. What else was there to say?
    I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “At the end of the tour we came back here. We made it to the oldest section and that’s when we saw him. They tried to help him, but it was obvious it was too late.”
    “What time did you arrive?”
    I knew he was going to ask a ton of questions now. My brain wasn’t functioning correctly after the startling discovery. “It was about eight, I guess. I just happened to look over and see the body on the ground. Seconds after that was when my group noticed him too. I imagine they are traumatized for life.”
    Brannon glanced over at the group huddled together. “We’ll speak with all of them to see if they noticed anything.”
    I wondered how long Hank had been there. I could have just been minutes away from the killer.
    “He’s the author from the book signing, right?” Brannon didn’t take his blue eyes off me.
    I knew I had to tell him about going back to Helmwood.
    “Yes. There’s something else I need to