Free Body in the Woods (A Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery Book 3) by Alison Golden, Jamie Vougeot Page A

contemplative. Just as Annabelle was sure that Louisa had not heard the question or simply would not answer it, she said:
    “Because I didn’t love him.”

    Annabelle felt like she was about to burst, she was so full of questions and curiosity. Louisa Montgomery had turned out to be a fascinating figure, both brusque and rude, yet vulnerable and hurt. Annabelle left her sitting alone, staring out of the window, no doubt burrowing deep into her past where her memories and reflections would only bring her pain.
    Annabelle jumped into her car and drove away from the village center, turning over each word of Louisa’s conversation in her mind as she searched for clues. Not that she needed to, because she had already received the biggest one yet – Daniel, Lucy’s boyfriend.
    Something about the way Louisa had spoken his name had resonated in Annabelle’s mind. She had spoken it with the same warmth that she had spoken about her sister. Annabelle was in no doubt that Daniel was an integral part of this story. She had to find him.
    Annabelle knew plenty of Daniels. Daniel was a popular name in the village and surrounding area, from Terry the dog-walker’s quiet, well-spoken nephew, Daniel Robbins, to Daniel Holden, the village’s only war veteran.
    Of course, it was entirely possible, perhaps even likely, that Lucy’s boyfriend had left Upton St. Mary after the macabre incident, but it was still worth investigating. People who grew up in the village tended to return frequently, its idyllic vistas and strong sense of community a rarity elsewhere in the world.
    Annabelle was proud of her ability to commit the contacts in her address book to memory, and she was still mentally flicking through its pages when she parked the car in the churchyard. She hopped out of her car and walked to the door at the back of the church.
    “...Daniel Jones, the pharmacist – but he moved here shortly before me. Then there’s Daniella Watson – of course not. Daniel… Daniel…. Dani–”
    “Eeeeek!” came a shriek, as Annabelle turned a corner in the passage to her office and bumped into something small and hard.
    Philippa spun around, saw Annabelle, and screamed again. “Aaaaaah!”
    “Philippa!” Annabelle shouted, her face twisting into a look of sheer horror and confusion. “What’s wrong?!”
    “Oh, Reverend,” Philippa said, immediately calming down. She was clutching at her chest with one hand and rubbing her cheek with the other. “It’s you.”
    “Of course, it’s me!” Annabelle said, still filled with astonishment at her church secretary’s reaction. “Who else would it be?!”
    Philippa shook her head and turned back to her work, anxiously sifting through prayer books. “Never mind.”
    Annabelle put her hands on her hips and frowned.
    “That’s enough, Philippa. This has gone far beyond ridiculous. I demand that you tell me what it is that’s troubling you, this instant.”
    Philippa once again shook her head, quietly counting the prayer books out to herself.
    “Philippa,” Annabelle continued sternly, “if you do not tell me what is wrong, then I will regard it as the height of rudeness.”
    Philippa slowly counted out one more prayer book, then turned to face Annabelle with a look of deep reluctance.
    “I’m sorry, Reverend. I would like to tell you, but it’s not something that can be spoken of in a house of God – nor to a person of the cloth.”
    Annabelle’s eyes widened.
    “Don’t be silly, Philippa. You’re just making me even more determined to find out what it is you are hiding! What would make you say such a thing?”
    “I’m sorry, Annabelle.”
    “Well, if you insist on not telling me, then I’ll just have to guess.”
    “Please don’t.”
    “Let’s see now,” hummed Annabelle, placing a finger upon her lips and looking up, “what could be so embarrassing that you wouldn’t even say it to a priest…”
    “I’d rather not–”
    “I’ve got it. It’s those scratch