Murder in Barbados: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Paradise Book 4) Read Free Page B

understand?”
    “I understand.” Colin nodded. “Just make sure the moment you know you need anything, call me. No matter what it is, I really am willing to help you.”
    Monica seemed to peer at the man for a moment. “I am not interested in a romantic tryst with you.”
    “Oh, heavens, no.” Colin shook his head. “I wasn’t suggesting that at all. I was strictly speaking about business opportunities with you. I didn’t mean anything else by it. Monica, you know better than that. You are like a sister me.”
    Monica laughed heartily and Anna looked curiously at them. The woman seemed genuinely amused by the conversation that had taken place. It seemed so strange that this much pleasure was being taken from a single comment though. Anna shook her head and just shrugged it off.
    “Make sure no one finds out about this transaction.” Monica warned. “We’ve gone to great lengths to cover things up. If we are exposed, we could both go to jail for the rest of our lives.”
    “I am smarter than that.” Colin laughed.
    Anna felt her knees wobble slightly and shifted. She heard a snap under her foot as twig broke. Dropping to her hands and knees, she hid behind one of the golf carts, closed her eyes, and prayed.
    “Did you hear that?” Colin asked.
    “Is someone there?” Monica called. “We won’t hurt you. We can let you in on our little business deal if you show yourself.”
    “Why is your gun out?” Colin’s voice demanded.
    “Just shut up.” Monica snapped. “Come out!”
    “Maybe it was just an animal?” Colin suggested. “I haven’t heard anything else.”
    “To be safe, we need to leave.” Monica replied. “If you see anyone, shoot them. We don’t need to have anyone else getting up in our business right now. We’ve worked too hard to have everything go south at this point.”
    Anna pressed her hand over her mouth and focused on controlling her breathing. There was something illegal going on between them and the last thing she wanted to do is have either of them know she was in on their secret. Although it sounded like Colin might have been paid to kill Laura, Anna couldn’t be certain at this point. She’d leave this Monica character and Colin at the top of her suspect list. If she can find something more, she would see to it they were dealt with in an appropriate manner by the local authorities.
    After waiting for what seemed like hours, Anna stood up from behind the golf cart. As she looked around, she didn’t see Monica or Colin in the general area. Deciding she had done enough to put herself in danger’s way, Anna decided to head back to the hotel. Her heart was still pounding at this point and she needed to find her tiny bottle of anxiety medication.
    Walking toward the hotel, she could feel the world spin around her. She placed her hands on objects as she passed by them in the hope that no one would notice she wasn’t steady on her feet or that fear was consuming her. The stress her colleagues were causing her was becoming unbearable.
    She felt a firm and friendly pair of arms wrap around her. They were familiar, safe, and caring. Wrapping her arms around the person, they made it to the stairs and slowly climbed the staircase up to the second floor and into Anna’s room. She slid down on the bed, trying to catch her breath. She heard the pop of a pill bottle then a tiny pill being slipped into her hand and the sound of a glass of water being poured.
    Taking the pill and chasing it with water, Anna closed her eyes. A friendly hand rubbed her back and soothed her. As the anxiety eased, she opened her eyes and turned her head. She saw a stern and concerned look on Pauline’s face.
    “Pauline.” Anna whispered. “I am so glad to see you.”
    “No.” Pauline raised her hand. “I saw a friend in need. I still care deeply for you but I can’t handle the conversation right now. We have a lot to work past before we are back on good terms but I wasn’t going to let you deal