A Story to Kill Read Online Free

with big dreams. Everyone but her and Seth wanting to score high enough to earn scholarships to the bigger schools, farther away. Cat had always wanted to attend Covington. And Seth, he wanted to join the army, just like his dad.
    Funny how memories just hit sometimes. Cat drew a (bad) version of the attic, then started making plans on how she wanted it to look. When she’d finished the soup, she closed the notebook and put it in the kitchen desk’s top drawer. Then she went upstairs to her room to shower and change. Time to turn into someone else.
    * * *
    Rose and Daisy, the romance sisters, turned down the soup when they arrived, asking instead for a glass of wine. As they settled into the plush sofa near the fire, Rose started telling Cat about her work in progress. “I guess you would call it modern historical. I mean, really, how many dukes could there be in Regency England? I’m focused on the post–World War II years and am looking forward to working in the Hemingway papers.”
    â€œWell, I hope there’s room for at least one more,” her sister snapped. “My love is Regency. I adore all the gowns and parties and well-mannered men. Well, for the most part.” The gray-haired woman winked at Cat. “I have to admit, my stories can get a bit racy.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll both love using Covington’s library. The campus is one of the oldest west of Denver.” Cat heard the bell on the front door jingle. “Hold on, that might be another one of our group.”
    A young woman, her long blond hair pulled back into a braid, stood at the reception desk. She had a suitcase in one hand, and a laptop bag swung over her shoulder. “You must be Sara. I can check you into your room now, or we have some creamy loaded potato soup in fresh baked bread bowls available for a quick dinner if you’d rather eat something.”
    The girl shook her head and checked an incoming text. She sat her suitcase down and keyed in a response. “Sorry, I don’t have a lot of time. I have a meeting with my advisor tonight. Can I just get my room key so I can drop these off?”
    Cat glanced over the desk and found the envelope with Sara’s name that Shauna had prepared earlier. “No problem. I can take you up there now. But two of the other guests are having a glass of wine in the living room. Would you like to meet them?”
    Shaking her head, Cat could almost hear the girl’s silent sigh. “I really need to run to the campus. I’m going to be late as it is.” She grabbed the envelope and looked at the writing. “Room 204? Up these stairs?”
    â€œYep, right on your left when you get to the second floor. Can I help with your bags?” Cat mused that either she was bad at this check-in thing, or Sara wasn’t getting the point of a retreat.
    â€œNope, I’m good. What time do I have to be back?” She paused at the foot of the stairs, waiting for Cat’s answer.
    â€œThe schedule for the week is in your envelope. Breakfast is from six to nine, whenever you’re hungry. Then we’ll go to the library at ten, but I guess you don’t need to be shown where that is.” Cat smiled, hoping the girl would warm up before the end of the week.
    â€œNo, I mean tonight. What time do you lock the doors?” This time, Sara rolled her eyes in frustration at Cat’s lack of understanding.
    â€œWe lock up when we go to bed, but the envelope has a security passcode that you can key into the box to the left of the front door. That will let you in. If you have any problems, push the intercom and we’ll come down.”
    Sara turned and sprinted up the stairs. Cat returned to the living room where Rose and Daisy looked up expectantly.
    â€œIs Mr. Cook here?” Rose poured a second glass of wine, her hand shaking a little as she waited for Cat’s answer.
    Cat sank into her chair. “Nope. That was Sara