Sweetness and Light (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

that earlier today.  There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
    Everyone sat down.  The cats watched the woman from their position in front of the fireplace. Ellie hoped that this intrusion into their free time wasn’t about some small wedding detail that could wait until tomorrow.
    Bethany seemed to be struggling with what to say.  She fidgeted on the sofa and her expression was tight and tense.
    “What would you like to speak with us about?”  Angie gave a small encouraging smile trying to prompt her.
    Bethany exhaled loudly.  “I don’t know where to start.”
    “What’s bothering you?”  Jenna asked.
    “Many things.”  The platinum blonde shook her head, and then made eye contact with the four sisters.  “I read about you in the newspapers.  I need your help.”
    Angie groaned inwardly.  In her head, she cursed the news outlets.  The very words that Bethany had just uttered had preceded a development in the sisters’ last murder case.  Angie braced herself.
    Bethany went on.  “I have a friend.”
    The girls waited for more.
    “He and I have been friends since grade school.”  Bethany clasped her hands in her lap.  Her brow furrowed.  “I’m very worried about him.”
    “What seems to be the trouble?”  Jenna leaned slightly forward.
    “He is going to be my “Man of Honor” or “Best Man” or whatever words would be appropriate for a bride to have a male friend as her “Maid of Honor.”
    Ellie bristled, but remained quiet, annoyed that semantics was the cause of this late night visit.  She wondered why the appropriate term to use for the man standing up for Bethany at her wedding couldn’t be discussed during the day.
    Bethany eyes watered.  “Something happened.  His life has been threatened.”
    “Just because he’s going to be your Best Man?”  Ellie gaped.
    “No.”  The young woman shook her head.  “I don’t know.  That can’t be the whole reason.  I need you to figure this out.”
    Angie swallowed.  “Have the police been told about the threat?”
    Bethany sighed and shook her head.  “We haven’t told anyone.”
    “Why not?”  Jenna’s eyes narrowed.
    “We don’t want any unnecessary publicity.”
    “But if the threat is real….”  Courtney said.
    “That’s why I’m coming to you first.  If you can’t find any clues, then we’ll go to the police.”
    “How was the threat presented?” Angie questioned.
    “My friend has received several letters, two in the mail and one on his doorstep.  There are cut up letters from a magazine that spell out the message, just like in a movie.”  She wrung her hands.
    “When did the first one arrive?” Jenna asked.
    “Four weeks ago.”
    “Was your wedding date common knowledge then?”  Courtney tried to make a connection between the timing of the threats and what might have precipitated the warning letters.
    “The first letter arrived just prior to when our save-the-date announcements went out.”
    “What did the letter say?”  Ellie looked like she didn’t really want to know.
    Bethany cleared her throat.  “It said, ‘I know you love Bethany. Enjoy your last days on Earth.’”
    Four pairs of eyes widened.  Ellie covered her mouth with her hand.
    “Is that true?  Does he love you?” Courtney sat up straighter, intrigued by a possible love triangle.
    Bethany gave a slight nod and looked at the floor.  “And I love him,” she said softly.
    After a full minute of silence, Angie stood up slowly.  “Let’s have some tea and something to eat.  Why don’t we move to the family room where it’s more private, in case other guests show up and want to use these rooms?”
    “Do you have any wine?” Bethany asked.  Her face was pale and she looked a little shaky.
    Just as everyone stood up to follow Angie to the hall, some B and B guests opened the front door and entered.  They greeted the group as they passed each other and the guests moved to the buffet table in the