Free The Maestro (Cold Hollow Mysteries Book 3) by Emilie J. Howard Page A

too, Mama, and please don’t do the coma tonight.”
    She giggled and kissed him again. “I won’t.”
    She left his door cracked open and slipped down the stairs to the dining room, where she noticed everyone was sitting down. She imagined it was “full-disclosure time.” She took a seat and asked if they wanted any coffee. Everyone passed, so Myrna sat and waited for whatever was supposed to happen.
    As usual, Maurice spearheaded the discussion. “As you may be aware, Myrna, we already know of all of your past deeds. Now it is our turn to confess ours to you, so you will be fully informed.” He turned his head to Adam.
    Adam just looked at Myrna and began, “Look at me, Myrna. What do you think I am?”
    She spoke in an even tone. “A hit man.”
    He smiled. “You’re right, but mainly I’m Maurice’s personal chauffeur and bodyguard.” He chuckled. “Not like the boss needs one. He handles himself just fine. In the past, I broke kneecaps and dislocated or cut off fingers, and occasionally I had to resort to this.” He pulled something out of his suit pocket and pulled on two silver rings to reveal a garrote. “Cleanup is key to a successful hit, and I excel at that craft.” He turned to Maurice.
    Maurice grinned. “He is the best.”
    Delilah confessed next. “I hurt myself a lot, and Father says I take enjoyment in the sensation of pain and the taste of blood. I also enjoy inflicting pain on others. I killed my last caretaker because she kept trying to make me do things I didn’t want to do. I let my dark side rule, and Father is helping me keep it under control and teaching me when it’s appropriate to use it. I have to take medication.”
    Tom asked, “What medication are you on?”
    “I take a vitamin in the morning after breakfast for my anemia. After lunch, I take an antidepressant. At bedtime, I take a mild sedative. Father makes sure I take them, and he gives me a special little drink after each meal to help with my anemia too.”
    Tom smiled. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. Is this treatment working?”
    “Yes, but if I feel a dark urge creeping up on me, I have to squeeze Father’s hand, and he usually talks me down from it and diverts me to more constructive thoughts.”
    Tom reached in deeper and asked, “What were you feeling when you harmed yourself or others?”
    Her eyes grew wide as she reminisced. “It was the oddest sensation, like I was shot full of drugs. It was addictive and hypnotic.”
    “And now?”
    Her lower lip curled. “I don’t want to do it anymore unless someone tries to hurt me physically.”
    “Has anyone tried to harm you recently?”
    She giggled. “Not with Adam and Father around. They’d be nuts to try anything with me.”
    Tom relaxed back in his chair as Myrna sat in shock. She glanced at Maurice because she assumed it was his turn, and she was correct.
    He cleared his throat and stated matter-of-factly, “I eliminate any and all competitors in my path who try to deny me what is rightfully mine by law.”
    Adam chuckled and hooked his thumb at Maurice as he stared at Myrna. “He’s the maestro. I swear, I’ve never seen cleaner decapitations than the ones he’s performed.”
    Tom noticed Myrna was trembling slightly and asked, “Would you like your Sleepy time tea tonight?”
    She shouted, “Yes!” She then put her head down. She didn’t intend to shout as abruptly as she had, but she was shaken to the core by this group of individuals who were soon to be her new family.
    Maurice glanced at Adam. “I think we’ve stirred the pot a bit too much today, Adam. I think it best if we take our leave and go check in to the Bed and Breakfast. However, before we do, Myrna has something to tell us all tonight when Tom returns with her special tea. Don’t you, dear?”
    Myrna nodded and waited for her tea before answering. She didn’t want to explain herself twice, so she waited for Tom to return.
    She heard the whistle of the teakettle and