A Christmas to Dismember by Addison Moore (best desktop ebook reader TXT) 📕

couldn’t take it. And now I have a broken heart to deal with because he took things too far.

My lips part as I try to decipher what she meant.

Could she have taken an axe to Quinn? She did say he pushed her. I guess even the kindest soul could be moved to murder someone if they’re pushed to the edge.

I lift my glass to her. “Here’s hoping you have your best sales to date.”

She hikes her glass to mine. “And here’s hoping they continue on this way forevermore. It’s not cheap being a single mother.”

“I’m sorry. My mother pretty much raised my siblings and me on her own. My father was still in the picture, and we’re on good terms, but she towed the line.”

She nods. “Same here.” She squints to the back where Elsie and her friends are cooing over Rudolph. “Would you look at that? She’s wanted a puppy ever since she was little. Let’s hope that cute little thing gives her the puppy fix she needs.”

“If she’s a true dog lover, this will only make things worse. Rudolph is sort of addictive.”

“Hey?” Her brows furrow. “Is that the dog from the other night? The one Santa gave to Quinn?”

“That would be him. I’m taking care of him for now.”

“That’s so nice of you, Bizzy.” She sighs. “Quinn really did like you. We corresponded a few times over the years, and he always brought up the inn. He said the woman who ran it is a saint.”

A laugh bucks from me. “Time and distance can put a halo on just about anyone’s head.”

“Not Quinn’s,” she quips as she averts her eyes. “He wasn’t just a handsome devil. I’m convinced he spent each morning filing down his horns.”

“Did the two of you date?” Maybe if I come at it this way she’ll offer up a dark confession—at least internally.

She sniffs as she nods. “I thought we would marry, but fate and Quinn had other plans.” Her shoulders sag a moment. “You know, I had actually convinced myself that he was the great love of my life. And yet, after seeing him the other night, it became clear I had invented a fantasy version of us that never existed. It was a tough pill to swallow.”

Tears gloss her eyes, and my heart breaks for her.

I couldn’t imagine being in her shoes—falling in love with Jasper, only to find out he was someone other than I thought.

My phone bleats again, and I don’t dare glance at it. There’s no way I’m ruining the momentum.

“Eve, what do you think happened to Quinn that night? I mean, outside of the obvious. Who could have done something like that?”

“Oh wow.” She blows out a breath. “That’s a tough question. Quinn was a pro at infuriating people. You probably weren’t familiar with that side of him. It was mostly reserved for friends and family.” She glances out at the crowd. “If I had to guess, I’d say this reeks of Arthur.”

“Arthur? Arthur Silver?” My eyes widen a notch. Come to think of it, he did do a disappearing act at some point in the night. In fact, he disappeared right after Quinn did.

She nods. “Arthur was his accountant. He did all the heavy lifting as far as paying Quinn’s bills, his taxes, his payrolls. Arthur and Quinn were partners in the financial management company Arthur works under. Of course, Quinn promised him the moon—work for me for free and the company is half yours. I don’t know all the grisly details, but Arthur has been strapped for cash. He needed a stream of income from his most lucrative client, but Quinn’s rationale was that his name brought on the big guns and Quinn could bilk them for all they were worth. It didn’t quite work that way I guess. They argued over money. I heard them arguing over it that very night.” Right before I argued with the cold-hearted Brit myself. Her features harden. “And Arthur is strong. He could have easily swung that axe in a lethal manner. Of course, I couldn’t.” With the exception of those rage-fueled moments I had toward the end, but Bizzy doesn’t care to know that. Someone calls her name from afar, and she waves with a laugh. “Would you excuse me? I see an old friend.” She darts off, screaming with delight, and I’m left wondering if she made Quinn scream with horror that night.

My phone bleats in my hand again, and I turn it over to see seven more messages, all from a very worried Jasper.

Great.

Let’s hope there won’t be much screaming tonight once I confess to my husband I spent the afternoon with a room full of single men.

Jasper is levelheaded. I’m sure once I explain it all, he’ll understand.

The important thing is that we catch Quinn’s killer so we can get on with the holidays.

Next stop on the Homicidal Holidays Express: Arthur Silver.

Christmas is coming, and I have a feeling I’m just a few short steps away from wrapping up a killer and gifting him to the Seaview County Sheriff’s Department.

Chapter 8

The Sugar Plum Tree Lot sits high on a snowy ridge just a short drive from the Country Cottage Inn.

It’s dark this evening, but they’ve got enough string lights up above to make you feel as if you’re in a whole new solar system. Throngs of bodies have chosen to congregate here, this snowy December evening. There are bounce houses for the younger set, booths selling hot cocoa and cookies, and even one selling hard hot apple cider and donuts. Santa is here, and oddly he’s here in duplicate. Actually, about twelve different men are here dressed as the head elf, and each one seems to be missing that bowl full of jelly belly and housing washboard abs under the red furry suit instead.

“I don’t know what that’s about,” I say, holding Fish close. “And I’m not sure I want to find out.”

“Don’t worry, Bizzy.” Macy pulls back her shoulders with her