Free Ghostly Graveyard (Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery Book 17) by Kathi Daley Page A

cabins. I already checked.”
    “The spa does sound nice,” I added as Zak returned his lips to my neck.
    “Hmm.”
    “And the food looks delicious.”
    Zak moved his mouth lower.
    “And the cabin seems cozy.”
    Zak ran his hand up my leg.
    “And the bed looks…”
    Zak captured my lips and that was the end of the conversation.
     
     

Chapter 7
Tuesday, October 27
     
     
    I wasn’t sure why we were even having an events committee meeting this morning because we were between events, but Willa liked us to meet every week, so most times we did just that. I was a few minutes early because I’d needed to drop Scooter at school on my way, so I ordered a muffin to go with the coffee Rosie provided for the weekly event.
    Rosie was famous for her muffins, featuring a selection that changed with the seasons. Today I was able to choose between cranberry nut, cinnamon apple, and pumpkin spice. I chose the pumpkin spice. It was, after all, just four days before Halloween.
    “I heard about Duncan,” Jennifer, the cashier, said as she rang up my purchase. “I have to say I’m not surprised in the least.”
    “Why do you say that?” I asked as I added an apple strudel to my order.
    “There was something unnatural about the guy. He gave me the creeps. I could almost have predicted that he’d die in a cemetery.”
    “Unnatural?” I wondered.
    Jennifer leaned in so she could speak without being overheard and lowered her voice to the point that I could barely make out what she was saying. “The guy had a weird aura. It seemed cloudy and unsettled. Like he wasn’t really who he was, if that makes any sense.”
    It didn’t.
    “And his friend was just as unsettled,” Jennifer continued. “I’d almost be willing to bet neither man was entirely human.”
    “What friend?” I asked, deciding not to get into a discussion as to why the men might not be human. Jennifer had a very open mind and was more willing to believe in aliens, zombies, and ghosts than the average citizen of Ashton Falls.
    Jennifer shrugged. “I don’t know his name; he was just a guy Duncan met for lunch a few times. Actually, I guess it was just twice. Once about three weeks ago, right after Duncan started coming in here, and the other time was last week. I think it might have been Wednesday. Or possibly Thursday. The guy was an odd egg.”
    “Can you describe him?” I asked.
    “Tall, thin, freakishly pale. If you ask me, the guy looked like he lived in a cave, or maybe a mine. It looked as if his skin had never even seen the sun. And his eyes were very odd. I would totally believe he was a vampire, but they met during the day, and you know vampires are creatures of the night.”
    “You said his eyes were odd. Odd how?”
    “They were dark. Almost black, and they had this hollow look. It almost seemed like they didn’t have irises.”
    The man Jennifer was describing could be the one I saw in the cemetery. I hadn’t seen his face, but he was tall and thin. Of course I suppose a lot of men were tall and thin.
    “Did you ever overhear their conversations?” I asked. “Even small parts of one? Maybe while you were refilling beverages?”
    Jennifer appeared to be considering my question as she stared into space. “I know the tall man wanted something from Duncan. I’m not sure what. I overheard him say there would be consequences if he didn’t deliver it on time. I also know Duncan and the man fought when they were in here last week. I couldn’t hear what was being said because they had already gone out to the parking lot, but I could tell by their body language that they were arguing.”
    “And you have no idea who this man was?”
    “No. Like I said, I don’t think he’s from the area.”
    “Did the men pay with cash or credit card?” I waved to Willa and Hazel, who had just walked in and were heading toward the back room where the meetings were held.
    “Cash. Duncan paid and he always paid in cash.”
    “Okay, thanks. Let me know