Sequestered with the Murderers by Dr. Tanner (books for 8th graders TXT) 📕

in a short round crystal vase. Just as it was last night, the food and service were delightful and impressive. I had finished wrapping my single-serve pineapple cake to carry to the room when Gam said, “Happy Birthday, Baby.”

I turned around from kissing him as Haiden walked to the table with a miniature red birthday cake with one white candle on it and four saucers. She sat everything on the table. Then Gam, Kay, Mercy, and Haiden sang happy birthday to me.

“Make a wish and blow out the candle,” Gam said after the singing ended.

I did. “Thank you, everybody.”

“Happy birthday, Vett,” Haiden said as she cleared dishes from the table and before walking away.

“Thank you, Haiden,” I said.

Gam cut the cake in fours, then gave a plate of cake to each of us. I was already stuffed. Nevertheless, since Gam had gone through the trouble of getting a cake for me, I forced down the entire slice that was on my plate. After we finished eating, I asked, “Mercy and Kay, where are you traveling to next?”

“Kay has never been to New York City. So I’ve promised to take her there in June,” Mercy replied.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to visit that big city. I want to stand on top of the Empire State Building, see the Statue of Liberty, and see the Rockettes. There are so many things to see and do in New York.”

“It does have a lot of tourist attractions. I think you will have fun,” I said.

“Where are you guys going next?” Mercy asked

“We haven’t planned anything yet. Vett and her group of investment club ladies are always going on trips and one-day excursions. Vett and I have been talking about going on a cruise to Bermuda in August or September. So we need to work out the details for that,” Gam said.

“Sounds like a lot of fun. Well, you guys, I think we are going to call it a night. I need to get ready for my day of golfing. It’s going to be fun,” Mercy said.

We said our goodnights, then left the dining room. On the way out, Haiden stopped me, “Vett, this letter for you was in this morning’s mail. Sorry, I am just now giving it to you. It just slipped my mind. I’ve been so swamped today.”

“It was in your mailbox?” I asked, taking the letter from her.

“I’m afraid so. Again, I am so sorry for not giving it to you earlier.”

“That’s no problem, Haiden. Thank you.”

The number ten size envelope had a white label on it with my name. Nothing else was on the envelope, no return address, no stamp, nothing.

“Who is sending you a letter here?” Gam asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll open it when we get to the room.

Once at the room, I picked up the red rose, chocolates, and the note from beside the door and followed Gam into the room. Gam immediately went into the bathroom.

I set the items on the dresser, then tore open the envelope. I took out the letter. In various sizes and colors, letters cut out from some type of magazine spelled the words, “Stop your investigating or you will die.”

I was still standing staring at the letter when Gam came out of the bathroom.

“Who is the letter from?”

I slowly handed it to him. As he read it, a look of shock registered all over his face. He then stood there ogling the letter. Within seconds, his whole demeanor changed. With the letter in hand, he took my arm and guided me to the bed.

“Sit here for a moment.”

Gam then grabbed from the dresser the box my new blouse had been in. He put the letter and envelope in the box, then set the box back on the dresser. Sprinting to the window, he pulled down the shade and closed the curtains. He then sat on the bed next to me.

“Vett, do you have any idea who this letter is from?”

“No . . . no, I have no idea,” I said, my voice shaking the way my body was.

“Who all knew we were coming here?”

“Everybody. I’ve been talking about this trip since the day you told me you had made a reservation.”

“I want you to sit here while I call Haiden, okay.”

“Okay.”

Gam grabbed the phone beside the bed and punched in the operator’s number.

“Haiden, this is Gammon Ellison. Would you come to our room for a moment? I need some help from you regarding the letter Vett received today.”

In no time, there was a knock on the door.

Gam answered the door. “Come in, Haiden.”

“Was there something wrong with the letter?” Haiden asked as she walked into the room.

“Go ahead and have a seat, Haiden. The letter was of a threatening nature. Would you mind telling me again how it came to be delivered to you?” Gam asked.

“Sure I will,” Haiden said while looking at me. “Vett, are you okay. You don’t look so good. Should I call a doctor?”

“No, Haiden. I’m okay.”

“About the letter,” Gam said.

“It was in the mailbox along with my mail. I . . .” Haiden said.

Gam interrupted her, “Sorry to interrupt, but what time does your mail get delivered?”

“The mailman puts it in the mailbox around 11:00 am. I got the mail out of the box around 2:00 pm or so. I should have given it to you when you picked up the golf ticket, but it just escaped my mind,” Haiden said.

“Has anyone else touched the letter?” Gam asked.

“No, just me. I put it in your room number box. My guests don’t get mail delivered here. I thought it was kind of odd since there was not a stamp nor a return address, but there is a first time for everything,” Haiden explained.

“Do you always get your mail out of the box around 2:00 pm?” Gam asked.

“It varies depending on how busy I am, but most days, I retrieve the mail by 2:00 pm,” Haiden said.

“Haiden, did you notice anyone around your mailbox between yesterday afternoon