Page 36 of Shhh…It’s A Killer Story

Gerald sighed.

"You really need to stop adding the word 'probably' to the end of sentences."

"It keeps people guessing."

"It keeps people concerned."

"Same thing."

My lips curved as I closed the laptop halfway. The room was suddenly quiet. Only the rain tapping gently against the windows remained.

It's strange...

Readers always ask where characters come from. As though one morning they simply climb into your head and announce themselves. Hello, I'm emotionally unstable. Please ruin my life for three hundred pages. If only it were that easy. Characters don't arrive fully formed, they grow and then they surprise you. Sometimes they refuse to do what you've planned. Other times...

They do exactly what you secretly hoped they would. Joey had never been one for listening. Then again...

Neither was I.

A low rumble drifted through the open window, not thunder but an engine. Heavy, maybe a diesel. I frowned.

"Are we expecting visitors?"

Gerald hopped onto the windowsill.

"I don't think so."

Another rumble, closer now. I pushed back my chair and wandered toward the front window, pulling the curtain aside with one finger. A delivery truck crawled up the gravel road before slowing outside the cottage next door.

Next door?

My eyebrows lifted.

"Oh..."

The detective had ordered something. Yes, I got curious after seeing lights last night. So, I just went and peeked this morning. No, it’s not stalking but yes, he is my neighbour, nothing to see here.

Or it could be someone. Knowing my luck... It was probably a wife, though I haven’t seen a ring...

Frank appeared beside me.

"What is it?"

I couldn't stop smiling.

"I think..."

I reached for my cardigan already halfway to the front door.

"...our neighbour's about to become much more interesting."

The front door hadn't even finished swinging shut behind me before Gerald cleared his throat.

"We're running."

"We're walking quickly."

"You're practically jogging."