Read Online Death by Pumpkin Spice by Alex Erickson - Free Book Online Page A

When I wasn’t met with indifference, I slammed up against an impenetrable wall of annoyance. These people didn’t know me, and sure as heck didn’t want to talk to me. They were far more interested in the lives of the people around them who they thought mattered.
    â€œThis is a disaster,” I muttered as I walked away from a small group of women who’d only sniffed at me and turned away when I’d asked about Margaret Yarborough’s whereabouts. While they had no intention of talking to me about it, I heard one of the women whisper Margaret’s name the moment my back was turned. If nothing else, I was setting the gossip train rolling.
    One of the waitresses who was working the party caught my eye. I hurried over to her. “Hi! Do you know where Mrs. Yarborough has gone?”
    The waitress looked surprised, before shrugging. “I haven’t seen her. I’m just serving drinks.”
    â€œOh, thanks. If you see her, let me know.”
    She nodded, but I could see it in her eyes that she had no intention of seeking me out if Margaret were to show up.
    I removed my deerstalker cap and wiped my brow with the back of my arm. It was getting hot in the large room, especially around the small clusters of guests. I noticed a good portion of them weren’t heeding Paul’s command and were wandering off to explore the house. Finding anyone in this mess was going to be next to impossible.
    Will was huddled with Vicki and Mason, and I considered giving up and joining them, but only for a second. I wasn’t one to back away from a challenge, no matter how annoying that challenge had become. I was going to find either Margaret or Quentin, and I wasn’t about to let a few failed attempts stop me.
    I headed for one of the hallways just to take a peek to see if maybe one of them was out there. Besides, I needed a little fresh air, and while the rainy outdoors would be better, Igor was letting no one out. At least someone was doing as Paul asked.
    The hallway I’d chosen was empty but was cooler than the ballroom. I fanned myself off with my hat a moment and then shoved it back onto my head. Paul told me not to leave the ballroom, and I planned on keeping that promise. For now. If I kept striking out, I might have to do a little exploring, just to make sure one of the other Monroes wasn’t lying dead in a room somewhere.
    I turned to head back into the ballroom and found myself near face-to-face with the man in the Scream mask. He was walking straight for me, and by his gait I could tell he was moving with a purpose. I couldn’t see his eyes, but I had a feeling they were zeroed in on me.
    Panic flared through me. I was in a lonely hall with a man who was keeping his identity a secret. And what kind of person wouldn’t want someone to recognize them? A killer, that’s who.
    I started to turn in order to hurry down the hall and find a bathroom to hide in. The masked man darted forward and grabbed me by the wrist, spinning me back around.
    â€œHey!” I shouted. “Let go of me!” I jerked my arm out of his grip and backed away.
    â€œKrissy, wait.”
    The voice was muffled from the mask, but I’d recognize it anywhere. “Robert?” It came out as a confused question, before anger flooded in. “Robert!”
    I could almost hear the smile in his voice when he spoke. “I can’t believe I found you here.”
    â€œ You can’t believe it? What are you doing here, Robert? Shouldn’t you be back home ruining someone else’s life?”
    Robert Dunhill was my ex-boyfriend, one I’d thought I’d put behind me when I’d left California. He’d cheated on me with some college girls—the number of which I didn’t want to think about, let alone know. He never expected me to find out, thinking I wasn’t bright enough to see what was right in front of me. When I did call him on it, he had the gall to