Free Death Indoors: Target Practice Mysteries 4 by Nikki Haverstock Page A

sorry. Here, let me see. Are you bleeding? Do we need to go to the hospital?"
    He lifted my hand off my face. "No blood--that's good. But you're crying. I'm so sorry."
    "No, no, I'm fine. Just surprised."
    "Is everything okay out there?" Mary called from her room.
    "Moo bonked our heads together," I called back. "Here, let me see your forehead."
    Liam lowered his hand to reveal a goose egg between his eyebrows. "I'm not bleeding, am I?"
    "No, but, um... that's one heck of a lump." I cringed.
    Mary came racing into the room in her flannel pajamas with little bows and arrows on them, and thick, fluffy socks. She looked at each of us and shook her head. "I was only out of the room for a few minutes. You two are a mess."
    She stomped over to our tiny fridge and pulled out two ice packs then wrapped each in a thin tea towel from the stack on the counter. We had been icing our shoulders after heavy practices and kept all the supplies on hand. She marched over and handed one to each of us. "Put these on your bumps. Fifteen minutes max, then leave them off for at least fifteen minutes."
    Liam stood up, holding his icepack in one hand. "I think I've overstayed my welcome. I'll see you guys tomorrow." When he got to the doorway, he slapped his thigh, and Moo joined him. "Bye."
    After the door clicked shut, Mary sat down next to me. "What happened?"
    I pressed the icepack to the outside of my eye socket and winced. "I think he was going to kiss me, then Moo smacked the back of Liam's head, and we crashed together. What if he never tries to kiss me again?" I started sniffling.
    Mary grabbed my arm and helped me up then dragged me to my room. "Shhh, it'll be okay. He's crazy about you. Come on, you've had a big day. Tomorrow you have to compete, and afterwards we'll solve the mystery." She grabbed my Great Dane pajamas and handed them to me.
    "Afterwards? We can't wait that long. Everyone will be leaving." I went into my bathroom to change and take care of my nighttime rituals after passing her the ice pack.
    She shouted into the bathroom door. "Well, I have to focus in the morning. This is one of the two events that the collegiate division uses to determine the national champion and the team that will compete internationally this summer. And you can't investigate and compete at the same time. Archery's too important to half-heart it."
    My head was aching. The adrenaline of the injury was wearing off. I had used up a month's supply of adrenaline by noon, and now there was nothing left. "You're right. What if I gather up some information while you shoot, and we can chat at lunch?" I opened up the bathroom door and started brushing my teeth.
    Mary tapped her finger on her chin. "Sure, as long as you're not alone. What if there's a crazed madman out there zapping people left and right?"
    I rinsed my teeth and took back the ice pack. "I'll see if Liam will help me. Unless you want me to sit with you when you shoot?"
    She shook her head. "Orion already offered, but I don't think Liam's going to want to help you investigate even if he's sweet on you. Here, I'll tuck you in."
    I crawled into bed. "I'm not even sure how to approach people." I stifled a yawn. Normally I read a little before bed, but I could already feel the shroud of sleep sneaking up on me. "Could you turn off the light? I think I'll try to fall asleep right now." I plugged in my phone by my bed and snuggled deep into my nest of blankets.
    "Sure thing, Princess." She flipped off the light and closed the door.
    I yawned again in the dark. If only there was a way to get everyone to tell me everything without me having to ask questions. A thought occurred to me, and maybe it was just one of those ideas that seemed brilliant when you were half asleep, but if I was correct, this would be the perfect way to get everyone to talk, and Liam was the key.
    ***
    Waking up in the morning, I scrubbed my face then flinched when I hit my left eye. The bump had gone down a bit, but the skin was