The Tessa Randolph Collection, Books 1-3 by Paula Lester (best ereader for comics .txt) 📗

she whispered, straining to see something that would help her identify the dead reaper.

Gloria, also a degree paler than usual, gave her a wide-eyed look and whispered back, “It’s Cynthia.”

Chapter 10

TESSA AND GLORIA RETREATED from the front of the crowd, slipping past other reapers. Near the back, they found Bubba, standing with his arms crossed. He wore swim trunks and dripped onto the grass. For once, his expression wasn’t joyful.

“What happened?” Gloria asked.

He grimaced. “Shark attack.”

“We got that much.” Gloria glared at him.

“I’m wondering who took her over?” Tessa said.

“I didn’t see anyone do it.” Bubba shrugged and shook his head. “Terrible way to go.”

Tessa agreed with the other reaper’s sentiments, but her attention was captured by someone else. She elbowed Gloria and nodded toward Timothy, who was just leaving the dock. He looked like the poster boy for a Casper movie trailer—his face was so pale it seemed incompatible with being alive.

Tessa whispered to Gloria, “Did you see that? Timothy looked rattled.”

Gloria’s eyes tracked Timothy’s back as he headed for the hotel. “He looks shaken, for sure.”

Tessa went to ask Bubba if he’d seen Timothy at the scene, but his back was turned as he spoke to Preston in hushed tones.

SHE QUIZZED GLORIA with her query instead. “Do you think he had something to do with it?”

“He’s not a reaper. He’s a numbers guy. Sure, he’s around reapers a lot and deals with death, but only on the periphery. I don’t think he has much cause to be up-front-and-center like us. He’s probably freaked out at the sight of all the blood. Plus, he knew Cynthia. A little bit, anyway. It’s possible he’s never seen anyone die before.” She glanced back toward the horrible scene. “Especially so violently.”

“You’re probably right.” Tessa chewed her bottom lip, thinking about how Timothy had seemed in a hurry to leave the paddle board area and get to the snorkeling session. It didn’t make sense. Sure, he was a numbers guys. An allocations guy, to be exactl. And allocations meant death.

But why would he do that? And, assuming Art’s death had been arranged by the same person as Cynthia’s, what would Timothy’s motive have been?

The EMTs got Cynthia’s body into the ambulance, and the vehicle left without its flashers or sirens on. The crowd on the dock dissipated, everyone going off in separate directions, moving slowly.

When they were finally back in the hotel lobby, Gloria said, “Want to get a drink?”

Tessa shook her head. “I don’t think so. I’m not really feeling it.”

“You’re right.” Gloria sighed. “Going to the bar right now is a bad idea. Tell you what. How about we head back to the room and order room service on the company card?” She waggled her eyebrows.

Tessa blinked. “Company card? What are you talking about?”

“Oops.” Gloria winced. “I figured Cheryl gave you one too.” She pulled a black credit card out of her back pocket and waved it under Tessa’s nose. “I keep it close in case I get hungry. And I’m always hungry. We get to comp our food while we’re here. I thought you knew.”

Through gritted teeth, Tessa said, “No. She didn’t give me one of those.”

She thought of Silas using Mrs. Cross’ money to buy expensive meals for them—money he could be saving for less expensive meals out with her when they got back home. Only, Tessa wasn’t ready to think about what they were going to be when they were back home. She wanted to live in the here and now. After all, not every day was guaranteed. Just ask Cynthia.

“Can I borrow that tomorrow?” she asked. “I think Silas and I need to go on a dining spree. I’m feeling a little ravenous from all the learning I’ve been doing.”

Gloria dissolved into giggles. “You’re going to get me fired. But yeah, you can borrow it. Anything to help you two lovebirds realize you’re perfect for each other.”

They headed for the elevator. “Why don’t you spend as much time focused on your own love life as you do mine?”

Gloria gave her a sidelong look and a mischievous grin. “Maybe I do.”

Tessa’s jaw dropped for a second, then she scowled at her friend. “Oh, I see how it is. You get to keep your cards close to the vest to avoid my input but, in the meantime, you just carry on with all your delightful commentary about my love live? I mean, about my friendship with Silas.”

Gloria shook her head as they got on the elevator. “Nah, I’m kidding. I’m not dating anyone right now. Just living vicariously through you. The meet-cute is the best part. But as soon as I’m interested in someone, I’ll let you know.”

Tessa’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out of her pocket to find a text from Abi: Your evil cat left a hairball for me to step on in the kitchen. Then she looked smug. Have I said to get a new cat-sitter next time? If not, I’m saying it.

Tessa texted back: That’s how she shows love. You are her chosen one—forever and always Pepper’s cat sitter.

A second later, Abi replied: Promise you’ll bring home wine AND chocolate if you want me to even consider not strangling this creature.

Chuckling, Tessa shook her head and texted back: I will bring payment. Unless . . . Pepper beats me to it.

What does that even mean? Does she bring you mice? Am I going to find a mouse? Tessa? Really???

Have fun! Xoxo

As they entered the hotel room, Gloria said, “Weren’t you supposed to hang out with Silas tonight?”

Tessa flopped onto the bed and threw an arm over her eyes in her best impression of Scarlet O’Hara. “Yes. But I don’t think I’m up for it. I just want to watch a funny movie and eat until my sides burst.”

“I’m already on that second part.” Gloria waved the room service menu in the air and picked up the room phone to place an order.

Tessa sat up and scrolled on