Read Online The Reunion by Suzanne Rossi - Free Book Online Page B

it all just got to me. I feel silly about it.”
    “Are you all right?” the sheriff asked.
    “Oh, I’m fine. Maybe when we go upstairs I can order a sandwich from room service.”
    “Can we go now?” Tom challenged in a rough tone.
    “Yes, of course. I’ll keep in touch.”
    Tom shoved his chair back and helped Glory from hers. With his arm around his wife’s shoulders, he steered her out of the room.
    Zach frowned. “Why don’t you think it was just an accident? It’s dark. The path is hard to walk on, especially for a woman in high heels. Why couldn’t she have stumbled, fallen, hit her head, and tumbled into the pond?”
    The sheriff’s eyes bored into Zach. A chill raced up Meghan’s spine. Zach had been as quiet as she during the interrogation. Was he also taking mental notes?
    “I agree with Zach,” Dave interjected. “This whole thing was a silly accident. And even if it wasn’t, I say someone who shouldn’t have been on the hotel grounds was lying in wait for a guest to stroll by, knock them on the head, and rob the poor sucker. I’m sorry Annabelle’s dead, but you’re just keeping us here to play policeman.”
    Dave had a surly look on his face along with a fine sheen of sweat along his hairline. His hands trembled. Meghan wondered if it was the booze or nerves.
    Why would Dave Coryell be nervous?
    She tried to recall the last time she’d seen him. Hadn’t it been as the dancing started? He was across the room talking to some football buddies.
    “Mr. Coryell, I assure you I’m not deliberately wasting either my time or anybody else’s with foolish questions just to look official.” Ray Armstrong’s voice had a frosty tone. He looked at Zach who stared back. “We found bruising and cuts on her upper torso from the rocks around the lip of the pond. Her legs are also scraped. That’s not consistent with a fall. A thief may have attacked, held her head underwater, and then heaved her in.”
    “Oh, my God,” Meghan said with a gasp. This got worse by the minute.
    She glanced at Suzanne who, pale as a ghost, stared at the sheriff with wide eyes. The woman’s silence was out of character. She cast her eyes down and traced an invisible pattern on the tablecloth with a coral-tipped fingernail, then slid a sidelong glance toward Dave who sweated as though in a sauna, but not before Meghan caught the fear in her eyes.
    Suzanne knows this was no accident .

Chapter Five
    I killed Annabelle Peterson ? How could I make such a stupid mistake? I was so focused on Suzanne, I hadn’t given anyone else another thought. Never noticed that their dresses were similar, if not the same. And in the dark, I totally missed the hair color, especially once it was in the water.
    You goofed. Get a grip. Act horrified. The last wouldn’t be a stretch. And while I didn’t really know Annabelle Peterson, I was sorry she died. C ollateral damage occurs. It can’t be helped.
    I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. As usual, no one paid any particular attention to me. All eyes were on Suzanne and that obnoxious Dave Coryell. They sat talking in the corner, heads close together.
    And Eileen Raymond was the perfect person to discover the body. Her hysterical reaction on the terrace helped fuel the fire. Then, Suzanne’s appearance and Eric Peterson’s emergence onto the patio spoiled the entire outcome. A totally wasted effort on my part. I was angry with myself.
    I studied the guests when they took their original seats as per the sheriff’s request.
    Suzanne knows. She understands. So does Meghan. I can see it in her face. Zach’s probably clued in, too. They all know it was a case of mistaken identity. Suzanne will be on guard now. I shook my head. Never mind. Think about it later. You’ll get her eventually. But for now, just answer whatever questions the sheriff asks.
    ****
    “Your turn,” the sheriff said to Zach. “Name, address, and what you do for a living.”
    Trying to hide his disgust with