Page 102 of Pepper, the Biker & the Vanishing Body

I stuffed my phone into my pocket, my mind racing. How could Edna know that?

My thoughts spun faster. Edna was the one who told my mom that Waters had been the one to include the story about the Willow necklace in the book on Willow Lake. But did we have any actual proof of that—besides her word?

And another thing… how was she so familiar with the value of the mansion’s antiques? Was it simply for insurance purposes? Shouldn’t she be more focused on their historical significance?

Then came the most disturbing realization of all.

Edna was the only one who knew my mom and I was at Willow Mansion the day my mom was attacked. Had she tipped off Jones? Had he been working with her all along?

I thought back to when I first met her at the garden center—the same day I found Guy Braven unconscious in the greenhouse. Had she had something to do with that?

Did she know Guy had been squatting in the building on the Willow Mansion property?

But how could an elderly woman be involved with high-end thieves?

And then there was Waters.

Had he been working with her? If so, how had he died broke? Wouldn’t he have squirreled money away? Or… was that why Amy hadn’t been able to find any secret bank accounts in other countries connected to him?

Had he simply spent money as fast as he got it?

I had endless questions, but I couldn’t pursue them now—not with Kelly here. I wasn’t about to put her in danger.

I glanced toward Mo, who was sniffing around the truck. I called him over in an urgent whisper.

“Stay by the truck, Mo. We have to go.”

Mo’s ears perked up, and he obediently sat, waiting.

I grabbed the last item and hurried inside, only to freeze in my tracks.

Kelly was standing—her eyes wide, her expression stunned.

A puddle of water pooled at her feet.

“My water broke,” she whispered, looking completely shocked.

My stomach flipped.Oh no.

“Okay,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “I’m getting you to the hospital.”

I rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around her to guide her toward the door. My heart pounded as we neared the exit. I just needed to get Kelly out of here, away from Edna, before?—

A figure stepped in front of us… Edna, and she was holding a gun.

Before I could react, she swung the door shut behind her.

“Sorry, Pepper,” she said, her voice calm. “But I can’t let you do that.”

She slammed the second door shut and turned the lock.

I yelled out, “HELP, MO, HELP!”

Edna didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled and shook her head. “I’m so glad Ignatius Willow built this mansion a distance from town. By the time your dog brings help, it’ll be too late. And I’ll be long gone.”

I didn’t bother telling her about the text I’d sent Amy.

Kelly moaned beside me, shaking. “What’s going on?”

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