Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson Read Free Book Online Page B

her if she never wanted to see me again, but so far, she seemed appreciative of my help. “I didn’t think I’d see you here, either.”
    â€œMom made me come,” she said with a sigh. “She thinks I should be looking for a new husband and set me up with some creep old enough to be my dad.” She nodded toward a fat man dressed as Alfred Hitchcock who was sixty if he was a day.
    â€œSorry about that,” I said with a wince.
    â€œMom thinks I can put Brendon behind me like that.” She snapped her fingers. “But I can’t. He might not have been the best man out there, but I still loved him.” She sighed. “When I pointed out she didn’t start dating again until fifteen years after Dad’s death, she only got mad. I think this date is punishment for that.” Her eyes flickered to Will, who was standing a respectful distance behind me. “You here with Dr. Foster?” she asked me.
    â€œI am.” I beamed at her.
    Heidi nodded in appreciation. “I wish I could be so lucky, but no, I get Chuck Butcher. What kind of name is that, anyway?” Her shoulders sagged. She looked nearly as defeated as when Brendon had been murdered.
    â€œI’m sure it will work out for you,” I said, patting her on the bare shoulder. Her dress was a little more revealing than she appeared comfortable with, and I somehow knew her mother had something to do with that. “Mason is here somewhere,” I said, glancing back to where I’d left him with Vicki.
    â€œYeah, we’ve already spoken. He finds it hilarious I’m stuck here with that.” She nodded toward her date.
    I started to reply when a shriek silenced the entire ballroom as if it had been a gunshot. Everyone spun toward the hall as one, almost as if we’d rehearsed it. The scream came again as an older woman stumbled into the room, hand over her mouth, eyes bugging out of her head. She was as pale as a ghost.
    â€œSomeone help!” She gasped, pointing back the way she’d come. “There’s . . . I . . .” She took a shaky step forward. “Someone has been murdered!”
    And then she fainted dead away.

5
    â€œEveryone, stay back!”
    Paul knelt by the fainted woman and gently shook her. Her eyes fluttered open and she jerked away, as if she thought he might attack her.
    â€œIt’s okay,” he said. “I’m with the police.”
    â€œOh, God!” She grabbed him by the arms hard enough that it had to hurt. “I found her. She’s dead!”
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Paul asked, gently.
    The woman looked surprised by the question, but when she answered she was somewhat calmer. “Isabella Ortega.”
    â€œOkay, Isabella, can you tell me who you found?”
    The woman shook her head, unwilling or unable to answer.
    â€œCan you show me where you found her?” he asked.
    She bit her lip and then nodded.
    Paul helped her to her feet and kept a hand on her elbow as they turned toward the doorway. “Everyone stay here,” he said, before letting Isabella lead him down the hall.
    There was a moment where no one moved and then everyone in the ballroom started forward after Paul and Isabella. I glanced at Will, who shrugged, and we hurried after.
    â€œThere!” Isabella said, pointing. She’d stopped halfway down the hall and refused to go any farther. The room she indicated was two doors down.
    â€œOkay,” Paul said. “Remain here until I check it out. Can you do that for me?”
    Isabella nodded.
    He cast an annoyed glance over his shoulder before walking toward the door. The crowd who had gathered moved with him, and I don’t think he could have said anything to keep them at bay. I went along with everyone else, curiosity winning out.
    The door to the room was open. Pumpkins were laid out as if the room was meant to be a pumpkin patch straight out of someone’s nightmares. Some of