Free Murder in the Bahamas: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Parasise Book 2) by Penelope Sotheby Page B

So, I tried to kill her. You caught me on the beach, I figured you saw the murder take place and I was prepared to kill you, too. But you didn’t bring up the woman and I thought I’d let you live. You’d be my alibi if needed.”
    “So, now what?” Anna asked. “People know you are the killer here. What will you do?”
    “There’s no proof.” Darko laughed. “There are people who claim I killed, but do you have any real evidence? Do you have poison? There is no confession for you to use. Just a dead man, a battered woman, and, soon, a second dead body.”
    “If you kill me, I’ll be in your room. They’ll piece it together.” Anna pleaded. “Think this through.”
    “I will not kill you.” Darko smiled. “You will shoot yourself.”
    Slipping a glove over one hand, he took hold of Anna’s right hand, then forced her finger into the trigger. His eyes burned into her eyes and he wrapped a second gloved hand around hers. Forcing the gun to her temple, he placed his finger over hers so her finger held firm against the trigger.
    “Suicide is messy.” Darko sighed. “I’ll need to take shower before I leave, but the silencer will make sure no one knows you died. I’ll call room service and tell them to delay coming a few days. It’s better.”
    “Please.” Anna whispered. “You don’t have to do this.”
    A knock at the door startled Darko and he pulled back. “Housekeeping.” the voice replied.
    “No!” Darko yelled. “I am very busy. I am not interested.”
    The door unlocked and a woman stepped in. Anna was relieved to see it was Pauline. Darko hid the gun behind his back.
    “Housekeeping.” The woman smiled and went over to the bed. “Checkout?”
    “No, I am just going through my bags with my wife.” Darko lied.
    “I interrupt?” Pauline asked.
    “Just do what you have to do.” Darko replied.
    Darko watched Pauline closely as Detective Mateo Newhold quietly slipped in through the door from the adjoining room, stepped up behind Darko and placed the barrel of his service gun at the back of Darko’s head. Then with his other hand, he grabbed Darko’s weapon.  At the same time Anna lifted up her shirt to reveal a wire placed neatly on her stomach,
    “Well played.” Darko sighed.
    Detective Newhold read Darko his rights and Pauline rushed up to Anna. The two of them watched as Darko was hauled off.
    “You did it again, Anna.” Pauline smiled. “You are two for two on cases solved.” “Let’s hope there aren’t any additional murders.” Anna laughed.
    They walked to the elevator and saw Wendy and Branko together in the hallway. They looked up for a moment and waved at them. Anna smiled and waved back.
    “It looks like things are going to work out for them.” Anna smiled.
    “It does.” Pauline nodded.
    As the elevator arrived, Jackson burst out and gave Anna a hug.
    “You did it!” He smiled from ear to ear. “You are my last ride today. My replacement is coming in and I am going to go give my daughter the biggest hug.”
    “Tell her you love her, too.” Anna replied.
    “I will.” Jackson nodded. “You are one of a kind, Anna. I hope you know that.”
    As the elevator took them down to the first floor, Anna thought about the course of events. Everything had fallen into place once again and life seemed to be going back to normal.
    “We have the Jamaica wedding to do next.” Pauline began.
    “Can we run a background check to make sure there isn’t anyone desperate enough to kill?” Anna quipped.
    The women laughed. Walking out of the elevator, Anna saw that Mr. Puccio had arrived and was talking to Cassandra. Part of her felt annoyed that Cassandra was there, but she forced a smile and grabbed Pauline by the hand.
    “Anna!” Mr. Puccio replied cheerfully. “Once again, you have solved a murder and protected the reputation of the Grand Palatial. I really couldn’t be happier.”
    “Congrats.” Cassandra replied coldly. “I didn’t think you’d solve