Angel of Death

by Kimberley O'Malley

  Angel of Death

  An Addie Foster Mystery

  Kimberley O’Malley

  Contents

  Praise for Kimberley O’Malley

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Also by Kimberley O’Malley

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are a product of the author’s very vivid imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or places is purely coincidental.

  Published by Carolina Blue Publishing, LLC

  Copyright 2019, Carolina Blue Publishing, LLC

  ISBN: 978-1-946682-19-2

  All rights reserved. For permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at www.kimberleyomalley67@gmail.com.

  Praise for Kimberley O’Malley

  Death Comes in Threes

  “This was my first cozy mystery and I have to say I absolutely loved it. Kimberley did an amazing job at keeping me guessing what was coming next. I can't wait to see what happens between Addy and Detective Wolfe cause something has to happen between them!

  I also want to know who the man in Addy's dream is. And why those men were after her.

  Can't wait for the next book!”

  —Under Cover Book Blog

  “This was the first Cozy Mystery and Kimberley knocked it out of the park. I loved Addie and Grey and the two aunties. The detective puts out the vibe he is serious and hard core. But I am sure he has a soft spot for Addie. Hopefully in the next book we will see where the sparks fly for Addy and why these guys were after her. KUDOS to Kimberley for such a great read.”

  —Wanda Bridget Hickey, Verified Kindle customer

  “This was my first Cozy Mystery and I loved it. I was drawn in by Addie and adored Grey. He was such a charming, funny and protective character. I can’t wait to find out more in book two. This book is great for rainy days or a light read while you’re on holiday.”

  —Author T. S. Petersen

  Dyeing for Change

  “Love Addie mysteries, but hate that they are such a quick read. And that I have to wait for the next one!”

  —Amazon certified customer

  “Another action-packed book. Don't let it being short stop you from reading. You will absolutely love Addie and her BFF, Grey. They're hilarious. Can't forgot our hottie detective, Jonah. Meow! Trouble is always finding our Addie. She doesn't listen, at all, even if it's for her own good. She loves her dogs, and this book made me shed some tears because of one of her dogs. You can't go wrong with this awesome book. Read the first and then come devour the second.”

  —Sara, Amazon Kindle customer

  “I am really liking this series! A nice, easy and quick read - just enough to take a break from real life and spend a lazy hour or so with a good read. Likeable characters and a continuing mysterious thread involving the main character throughout the two books so far - looking forward to seeing what happens in Book #3!”

  —Vivian F. Shane, Amazon Kindle customer

  Murder by Numbers

  “Murder by Numbers by Kimberley O'Malley is the third book in the author’s Addie Foster Mystery series. This installment finds our beloved Addie still dealing with her bad dreams, and finding it difficult to avoid trouble. When her estate sale book purchase turns out to be more than she bargained for, she has to solve the mystery before she winds up toes up. This series is full of quirky characters, mystery, and plenty of fun reading.”

  —Dee, Words That Sparkle

  “Wow if mystery is what you’re looking for this book has it. This is the third book and Addie seems to find things that get her into trouble. She love estate sales and she found a book that she thought was very different. After purchasing this book she starts to get followed by this creepy English guy who turns out to want that book and is threatening all her family if he doesn't get it. The Author keep you looking for clues and wanting to know how this is going to end. It was an easy fun read.”

  —TX Shadow

  To my fellow Indie Authors everywhere. Thank you for the friendship, camaraderie, and advice. Keep doing what you’re doing.

  1

  Addie walked down the dimly lit hall, unsure of her surroundings. She turned her head from side to side, seeking anything familiar. Each wall held numbered doors, like a hotel or a hospital. Yet no one else appeared. She rubbed her arms despite the warmth.

  “Hello?” she called out and stopped to listen for a response. Nothing. “Where is everybody?” Again, only silence reached her ears. At the very end of the hall, faint light spilled from a cracked door. Maybe whomever she sought was in there. She made her way toward it, each step more difficult than the last. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. She couldn’t name it, but something scared her, made her hesitate before the opened door. She leaned forward, trying to catch the voice within.

  “There, there…no reason to suffer anymore. I’m here to help ease your pain.”

  The harsh whisper of the stranger’s voice didn’t match the comforting words. Icy fingers trailed down her spine. As Addie turned to flee, not wanting to know what lay within the room, a hand suddenly gripped her wrist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  The chill of the hardwood floor under her back dragged Addie Foster from the nightmare’s tenacious grip. She shook her head to clear it, ebony curls bouncing with the motion. Gracey and Lily, her two Shelties, washed her face with their pink tongues.

  “Mom’s okay, girls.”

  “I hoped we’d at least have a few months before this started again,” groused a sleepy male voice from somewhere above her.

  “It’s not like I can control it,” she muttered in reply. He had a point, though.

  Jonah Wolfe, her boyfriend of a few weeks, slid off the bed, joining her on the floor. He took her chilled hands in his own, blowing on them. “I’m sorry. I know this is rough on you. Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Not yet. Maybe over breakfast.”

  Gracey, the bolder of her two dogs, scratched at the closed bedroom door, then looked back at them over her shoulder, as if to hurry them along.

  Addie laughed. “Ah, the joys of dog ownership. Or having a girlfriend with dogs in your case.”

  Jonah sprang to his feet in that ridiculously athletic way he had. “My turn to make breakfast, so I’ll take the girls out while I’m at it. Why don’t you grab a shower? Scrambled okay with you?”

  Addie stood, way less gracefully than he had, and stretched onto her toes to kiss his cheek. “Anything I haven’t cooked is okay with me. See you in a few.”

  He left the room, chatting away to her little dogs, taking a piece of her heart with him. She sighed and wondered aloud to the universe how she’d gotten so lucky. Not for the first time. Not even for the hundredth.

  Twenty minutes later, freshly showered and ready to face the day, the divine scent of pumpkin spiced something drew her to the kitchen. As she entered, Jonah grinned over his shoulder at her from the stove. “How does pumpkin spiced pancakes sound? Scrambled eggs seemed a bit ordinary for today.”

  “Delicious,” Addie murmured, sniffing the air. “Have I mentioned how much I love fall?”

  “Only every day since the season started. I thought you loved summer the most. Didn’t you tell me that when we met?”

  “Interesting choice
of words, Jonah.” They’d ‘met’ in July, right down the block from her home. When she found a dead body. Blood soaked her clothing when they ‘met.’ He thought she’d killed the man. “And when summer rolls around again, it’ll be my favorite season. Again.”

  “Ah. You’re fickle.” He leaned in as she passed, kissing her hair. “As long as your infidelity only applies to the seasons.”

  “Of course,” she replied from within the refrigerator. She bumped the door closed with a hip and carried syrup, butter, and juice to the table.

  The girls pranced around the table, their faces pointed in the air, noses twitching.

  Addie laughed at them. “Someone else is a fan of this time of the year.”

  “Gracey and Lily are fans of the smells of the season, I think.” He joined her, placing a dish covered in pancakes on the table. “I may have made a few too many.”

  “What gave it away?” she asked, piercing two of them with her fork and plopping them on her plate. “You really should be training for Thanksgiving.”

  Jonah halted his own fork halfway to his mouth. “’Training?’”

  “You’ve eaten enough meals with the Aunties by now. You should know better.”

  He dropped the fork. “More food than usual?”

  “Give the man a Kewpie doll. Aunt Clementine and Aunt Beatrice use Thanksgiving as an excuse to pull out all the stops. And I mean all. They serve course after course. Thus, the need to start training now. Or maybe a few weeks ago.”

  “And by ‘training’ you mean eating less?” He glanced at his forsaken pancakes, looking like a small boy who’d had his favorite toy taken away from him.

  “Maybe after breakfast.”

  “Good idea. I’ll get right on that.” Shoving a large piece of pancake in his mouth didn’t convince her of his sincerity.

  “I’m not kidding. Ask Grey. Or Gertie. You can count on gaining a good five pounds between all the holiday meals.”

  “More of me to love,” he smirked around another bite.

  She threw her napkin at his head, which he caught with disgusting ease.

  “We have time. Thanksgiving isn’t until next week.”

  “Exactly! It’s less than a week, since today is Saturday. You’re a goner.”

  “Me? What about you?”

  Addie rolled her eyes. “I’m a veteran. I don’t need to get ready.”

  “Nice. You wait until now to tell me?”

  “Yep,” she said, flashing her own smirk.

  “You’d think Grey would have warned me,” he muttered around another mouthful of pancake.

  “Nah, he likes to see you suffer. That’s how you know he likes you.”

  “How would I know if he didn’t like me?”

  “You’d know.” She cocked her head. “He didn’t care for Noah.”

  “I never thought much of him either. Dating a patient…”

  “I was a former patient, and he treated me for less than twenty-four hours.”

  “Still.”

  Addie muffled a laugh at Jonah’s darkened expression and covered his hand with hers. “You just didn’t like him because he dated me.”

  “Exactly.”

  A warmth spread throughout her belly. “Was being the operative word. As in past tense. And we only had five dates.”

  A grin that would do the Cheshire Cat proud spread across his face. “And you never…”

  “I’m still going to kill Grey for telling everyone.” But she wasn’t angry with her BFF. Not sleeping with Noah made sense. She never felt about him like she did about Jonah.

  The man in question glanced at the microwave clock. “As nice as this is, I have to get going.” He forked in one more huge bite of pancake, washing it down with orange juice.

  “First day back. Are you nervous?”

  “I’m excited. I’m finally cleared for duty. Being off for so long was starting to make me stir crazy.”

  “It’s only been a few weeks,” Addie protested. Chills trickled down her spine at the memory of watching Jonah get shot right in front of her. Those hours spent waiting outside the operating room weren’t ones she wanted to repeat.

  “Hey. I’m fine.” He raised his arm, flexing his hand. “Good as new.” He stood, carrying his plate to the sink.

  She stood also, following him and wrapping her arms around his waist. “I know. But I also know how lucky we were. You could have died.” She squeezed him tighter, burying her face in his back and willing away anything that might ever hurt him again.

  Jonah turned in her arms until she faced him, then he placed a hand under her chin, raising it. “I’m right here. And I’m okay.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “What I also am is late. I need a quick shower before I report to work.”

  She wrapped her arms around him, returning the kiss before letting him go. “And I’ll be late, too, if I don’t hurry. Be safe.”

  “Always.” He gave her one final kiss before turning away.

  As Addie watched him head into her bedroom, Lily and Gracey whined at her feet. She reached down and stroked both their silky heads. “Who wants to eat?” While she busied herself with getting their breakfasts, Addie thought about the upcoming holiday. Hopefully, her nightmare wasn’t an omen of things to come.

  2

  Addie opened the door to Smiling Dog Books, her small, independent bookstore. Doing so never failed to make her smile. This had been her dream for a long time. The reality was far better. She grinned as the girls ran behind the counter. By the time she caught up, they’d be comfy in their beds. Bringing her dogs to work was another fabulous perk of owning her own business.

  She took a sip of her latte, also pumpkin spiced, and glanced around the interior. The height of Christmas shopping would begin in a few days. The crowds were no joke, but she was ready. Brightly colored book covers gleamed from every surface. Riley Larkin, a local writer of cozy mysteries, grinned at her from a six-foot-tall banner in one corner. The author, a close friend of hers, would be here for a few hours next Saturday for a reading and signing. Addie loved showcasing local authors. It was a win-win situation.

  A frantic banging on the glass door dragged her from her thoughts. She turned to see Mrs. Henry, one of her favorite customers. She hurried to the door to let her in. “You’re early, Mrs. Henry, but please come in.”

  The older woman bustled past her, talking a mile a minute while she gasped for breath.

  Addie guided her to the comfortable love-seat in her reading area. “Here, take a seat. And a breath. What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, my dear, you have to help me. He’s d-d-dead. You’re so clever, solving those mysteries. I didn’t know who else to turn to.” Her reddened eyes implored Addie to do something.

  “Who’s dead?”

  “Bill Hamilton, that’s who. I told you about him. A widower who lives, lived, down the hall from me.” She stopped, pressing a lace handkerchief to her mouth. “The poor man. Someone killed him.”

  Addie pulled over a chair after fetching her guest a bottled water. She sat next to her, patting her on the arm.

  “Now, take a drink and then tell me everything from the beginning.” She thought about calling Jonah at work; after all, homicide was his thing, but she decided to wait until hearing the full story.

  “Well, a week ago, Bill went to the hospital,” Mrs. Henry began. “He suffered a small stroke. One of those fleeting ones. You know, the one that comes and goes and isn’t really a stroke. Or at least not a bad one.”

  Addie nodded, not really knowing but figured she could look it up later. “Go on, Mrs. Henry.”

  “Oh, yes, of course. Bill spent a few days in the hospital. Tests and all. And the whole thing must have scared him something fierce. He just wasn’t himself. Kept talking about a ‘ticking time bomb’ in his head. He hadn’t even made a pass at me. Imagine that!” She sat up straighter, indignation coloring her cheeks.

  Addie stifled a chuckle. “I believe you mentioned he was sweet on you.”
<
br />   “Exactly! But since coming back from the hospital, he’d been kind of depressed. Down, you know?”

  “It seems normal after what he’d been through. Tell me the rest.”

  Tears streamed down the elderly woman’s face. “Yesterday morning, they found him in his bed. Dead.” She buried her face in the handkerchief and wailed.

  Not knowing what else to do, Addie rubbed her back. “Why do you think someone murdered him? Maybe he died of natural causes.”

  “No, he didn’t. I know he’d just been ill, but they said he would make a full recovery. He came to dinner with us in the dining room Thursday night. Had a bit of color back in his cheeks. And then dead. Just like that.” She snapped her fingers in Addie’s face. “Went to sleep and never woke up.”

  “I understand your concern. Still, maybe he did just die.”

  Mrs. Henry stood up as fast as her arthritis let her. “I expected better of you, Addie Foster. I thought maybe you could dream about it or something. Whatever you did when those thugs murdered Gwen.” The older woman gave her a look over the rim of her trifocals that probably set many others in their places. “I guess I was wrong about you.”

  “I could call Jonah, uh, I mean Detective Wolfe. See what he thinks.”

  “I already spoke with the police.” Mrs. Henry’s tone told Addie how well it hadn’t gone.

  “And what did they say?”

  “Not much. They may as well have patted me on the head. Said ‘the old boy had lived a good, long life.’ Can you imagine? I reminded that young man my taxes pay his salary.” A chuckle escaped her. “Didn’t care for it much, I tell you.