Read Online Murder Games by Elisabeth Crabtree - Free Book Online

I’m supposed to let it slip out to you , and that’s it.” Kyle frowned. “I went back up and checked my packet a few minutes ago. There was no mention of a Fortune Hunter character. Who is he? What is he doing here?”
    “I don’t know. I tried to find out in the dining room , but Laura walked in and he ran off. All I know is that his real name’s William, he’s from Cambridge, his train was late, and anytime Laura gets within five feet of him, he takes off like the bats of Hell are after him. Oh, that, and he likes old things. How much of that is part of the game and how much of it is really him is anyone’s guess.”
    Kyle pushed himself off the desk.
    Grace grabbed a hold of his sleeve. “Where are you going?”
    He nodded toward Hunter. “I’m going to see if I can find out any more information about him.”
    Grace nodded to Laura standing in the doorway. “Too late. ”
    Laura walked the rest of the way into the library and looked around. Spotting Hunter standing in the corner with his back to the others, she immediately made a beeline for the poor man. Some sort of sixth sense must have alerted him, because he suddenly raised his head. With two quick strides, he reached the bottom of the circular staircase and began to climb.
    Sensing her prey was about to escape, Laura quickened her pace. She wrapped her hand around the railing and was about to step up when Sabrina suddenly stopped her.
    “Hazel! What do you think you’re doing?” Laura asked outraged.
    Sabrina didn’t answer. Instead, she wrapped her hand around Laura’s wrist and dragged her from the room.
    “I wonder what that was all about.” Kyle asked.
    Grace hopped down from the desk. “I’ll let you know in a little while.”
     
    *  *  *
     
    Grace pushed open the kitchen door and paused. She looked questioningly at Rupert and Ivy sitting at the kitchen table, unsure if she was allowed in this section.
    Ivy looked up from her computer tablet and smiled. “Oh, don’t mind me , dear. Just pretend that I’m still dead.”
    “Can I come in?” Grace asked , spotting Laura and Sabrina in the corner of the room arguing. “I just wanted to get some tea.”
    Ivy passed the tablet over to Rupert , who gestured toward the counter near Sabrina and Laura. “Help yourself,” he said without looking up.
    Grace let the kitchen door swing shut and walked up to the counter. She leafed through the tea packets arranged in a small wicker basket.
    “This is supposed to be fun, Laura,” Sabrina said in exasperation.
    Laura tapped at her nametag. “Doctor Nightshade. I had to make a name tag so everyone would remember.”
    Sabrina ’s eyes widened. “You’ve lost it. You realize that, don’t you?”
    Searching for a cup, Grace opened the cabinet over her head. Finding only plates and bowls, she shut it gently.
    Sabrina looked at her questioningly.
    “I’m just looking for a cup ,” Grace said.
    Nodding, Sabrina walked over to another cabinet and brought down a flower teacup and saucer. “Laura, I’m just saying that you’re taking this far too seriously. It’s not healthy.”
    Laura stubbornly crossed her arms. “I’ve been looking forward to this for a year.”
    Sabrina handed Grace the teacup before turning and gently grabbing her sister’s arms. “I know that. So, why aren’t you enjoying yourself?” She bit her lip. “Please, relax. Go have fun.”
    Her face lighting up, Laura said, “I am having fun. This is the most fun I’ve had in years. It took a while, but the others are finally getting into it. Someone actually stole my notebook.”
    “You’re kidding,” Sabrina said with a look of disgust. “Why?”
    “What do you mean why? I take very good notes. Not that it’s going to help them. It’s all written in code.”
    Grace filled her cup with hot water from a tea kettle on the stove. “I can’t imagine someone would be that desperate to win that they’d steal your notebook.”
    Dropping the phony accent as well