Birthdays Can Be Deadly Read Online Free Page B

you?”
    Frank stared at her without responding. She turned away from him swiftly. “I'll just be on my way then,” she said.
    Samantha was just about at the door when Frank called out to her. “Sam, I'm sorry,” he said as he stood in the doorway of the kitchen. “I didn't mean to be so harsh. It's just, I'm going through a lot right now, and my temper gets the better of me sometimes.”
    “No need to apologize,” Samantha said as she opened the front door and prepared to step out. “You're entitled to your feelings.”
    “I just need some time to settle in,” Frank explained. He set his beer down on the table beside two empty bottles. “Maybe once I am, you could show me around a little?” he offered her a charming smile.
    “Maybe,” Samantha replied politely, then she stepped out the door. She pulled it shut behind her. As soon as she was outside she breathed a sigh of relief. She shook off the experience and tried not to let it bother her.
    As she continued walking towards her villa she noticed Eddy and Owen talking by the recreation hall. That did not surprise her. Eddy and Owen were always sharing lunch or walking by the lake. Owen had a strange fascination with Eddy, and Eddy didn't seem to mind the attention, which was a little surprising, since he did his best to avoid almost everyone else.
    Samantha reached her own villa and let herself in. Everything inside was decorated with light blues and teals. She liked things to be bright and airy. Since moving into Sage Gardens she had dedicated herself to a positive lifestyle. Maybe it was her way of balancing out all of the crime and gore she had written about during her career. Her mind shifted back to James' death. The only way she had to get things out that were troubling her, was to write them down. She sat down with her notebook and pen and began scribbling out what she had witnessed at the party. She always focused on the little details that were easily overlooked. She noted James' interaction with his son. She wrote about him having his own special cupcake. Then she described the scene as he collapsed on the table.
    As she was finishing, she realized she hadn't noticed when Frank left the recreation hall as he claimed. She wondered if it was the same time that James had left. Maybe they had a discussion that triggered James to be more upset than his body could handle. Samantha frowned as she made this note on the paper. Then she closed up her notebook. She decided it was far past time for her to take a nap, considering the events of the day. She walked into her bedroom and sprawled out on the sea-blue shaded comforter that was stretched across her bed. She closed her eyes and imagined she was drifting off on the waves. Each wave was a pleasant thought. It was the only way she had been able to fall asleep in years.
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    Walt stood out front of his villa. He was carefully watering each of his plants. He liked to grow green things. He was not that fond of flowers. All of his plants had a purpose. Most were herbs, some kept pests away in the tropical climates. Usually, watering his plants was the most relaxing activity of his day, but not today. He was disturbed by the gathering around the main square of Sage Gardens. Someone had thought it would be a good idea to hold a candlelight vigil for James, since he had passed so suddenly, and on his birthday. Walt did not enjoy social things. He often avoided them. He knew that most of Sage Gardens had probably gathered for the ceremony, but he had no intention of joining them. Until Samantha came walking up.
    “Walt, put down your watering can. We should show our respects,” Samantha said as she paused in front of his garden.
    “I'd really rather not, Samantha,” Walt said with a frown. “I didn't know James all that well, and there are a lot of people.”
    “Walt, you have to come out of your shell sometime,” Samantha pointed out with a gentle smile. Walt always felt at ease around