Read Online Death Takes a Holiday by Elisabeth Crabtree - Free Book Online Page B

before she said, “Yes, that’s why. My next book will involve a murder on a train like this one. My main character will have a torrid romance with a handsome stranger, but awake to find everyone dead,” she said, lightly touching Kyle’s arm. “How does that sound to you?”
    “It sounds horrific,” Grace answered for him . “Can we get back to my problem and the threatening message I found.”
    “What threatening message?” Kyle asked.
    “ Well, your friend says that someone wrote in lipstick on your bathroom mirror that you’ll be dead before you know it,” Henry said softly.
    Kyle’s eyebrows rose as he looked to Grace for confirmation.
    It didn’t escape Grace’s notice that Henry seemed to put a touch more emphasis on “your friend says ” than she felt was necessary. “Someone did write that on the mirror. I’m not making it up.”
    Henry held out a placating hand. “Of course not. I didn’t say you did.”
    Grace wasn’t convinced. She turned in time to see Felicity’s companion enter the car. “Look, I did receive a threat.”
    Felicity suddenly threw herself into Kyle ’s arms and clutched her chest. “Me too! I received a message, as well.”
    “You did?” Grace asked, surprised and somewhat doubtfully.
    “Yes . . . I was so frightened. That’s why I came out here to find the conductor,” Felicity said, reaching out and gripping Henry’s arm. “Someone threatened to . . . murder me in my sleep.”
    “Really?” Grace asked, wondering if she appeared as dramatic as Felicity appeared right now. No wonder Henry wasn’t convinced, Grace thought. “What color was the lipstick?”
    “Oh, a horrible shade of . . . pink,” Felicity said looking over her shoulder. “Parker here can confirm it.”
    “Absolutely. It was horrifying,” Parker said in a monotone.
    “Mine was in red,” Grace said.
    Felicity reached out and pulled Grace into a hug. “Oh, you poor child. You must have been so frightened. Let’s go back and look at it. Maybe we can compare the writing.”
    “We can’t. Someone,” Grace said, glancing at Henry, “wiped it off.”
    “Really?” Felicity asked. “Oh, that’s too bad.”
    “We could go see yours,” Grace said.
    Felicity hesitated briefly before saying, “Of course—”
    Parker lowered himself into one of the chairs. “Nope. Someone wiped ours off, too.”
    Felicity placed her hands on her hips. “I told you to guard it with your life.”
    Parker shrugged. “Whoever did it must have slipped by me when I was chasing that rabbit down the hall.”
    “Rabbit?” Grace asked.
    Henry’s brow creased. “Oh, this is rather troubling. I still believe it’s some sort of prank , but don’t worry we’ll get to the bottom of this.” He looked at Kyle. “I’m sure you are in no danger.”
    “ Are you sure someone threatened to kill me?” Kyle asked Grace.
    “Don’t worry. It wasn’t me,” Grace said wryly. “Of course, then again, maybe the messenger was psychic.”
    “I’m afraid the young lady is a bit upset about it, but I promise you, we’ll get to the bottom of this,” Henry said. “But first and this is rather awkward—” He stepped forward as the door behind him suddenly opened Steve excitedly walked up to Kyle. “Oh man, you need to meet this chick. She’s absolutely the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I think . . . I . . . I . . .” He came to a stop and looked from Grace to Felicity and then back at Grace again. “What are you doing here?” he asked in a plaintive whine.
    Henry raised his hand. “Actually that’s what I’m wondering, too.” He reached into his pocket and brought out a piece of paper. “You see here, Ms. Holliday,” he said, unfolding the paper, “you aren’t listed as a passenger. I’m sure there’s some sort of mix up. It happens all the time. People will change their mind at the last moment and decide that they would rather take the Excursion instead of the Express, so they’ll go and