Hello, Book Lovers!

The end of act one has arrived. And, I’m excited to share this next chapter with you. Partly because I’m excited about writing this story and the series, and the story changes after this point. But, more on that later. One of the exciting things about writing within the murder mystery and cozy mystery genres is the research. Although, I suspect I might be on some time of watch list, thanks to my internet search history after the various research sessions I conducted.  You’ll see what I mean when you get to the end of the chapter. Don’t worry, this story is still gore-free. 

If this is the first time you’ve stumbled across Entitled to Murder, I highly recommended going back and reading from chapter one. Click here to start at the beginning of the story.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address the publisher at: hello at ameliadhay dot com.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

TEN

Clutching the bannister, Lucy wheezed as she struggled to exhale. Great, another trip to the doctor. As Lucy turned left at the top of the stairs, a familiar scratching caught her attention. Curious about the noise, Lucy turned right and followed the hall around. She sighed.

It was just as Lucy expected. Down the end of the hall, Tiberius was sitting opposite Alfred’s study’s closed door, clawing away, wanting to go inside. A tear trickled down Lucy’s cheek. He must miss grandfather.

Lucy strolled down the hall and crouched down as she reached the closed door. Stroking his thick grey coat, Tiberius purred.

‘I’m sorry, bubba, but grandfather passed away.’ Lucy peered down at Tiberius as he gazed up at her with his big yellow eyes. ‘I guess you already know and just miss him.’

Standing up, Lucy turned the brass knob and pushed the door open. Without hesitation, Tiberius dashed across the room and jumped on to the antique desk. Tiberius hissed as he clawed at the drawer underneath the tabletop.

Lucy winced. ‘Tiberius, that’s an antique.’ Lucy raced across the study and around the desk. ‘And I’m sure you know that you’re not allowed to claw at it like that.’

Lucy picked up the angry feline and cradled him in her arms. Contorting his body around, Tiberius hissed as he waved his paws, claws out, in the drawer’s direction. Then she realised.

She rolled her eyes. ‘Is that where grandfather keeps your treats?’

Concerned Tiberius would jump back on the tabletop, Lucy turned and placed the cat on the leather desk chair that had been rolled out from under the desk. After a quick tug of the black iron handle, the drawer slid open. The grinding of the drawer gliding on its metal tracks disturbed the eery silence of the study. Lucy grimaced.

Inside the drawer lay a glass syringe in a plastic wrapping and a small ampoule containing a clear liquid. No treats, just Alfred’s recently used insulin. Lucy furrowed her brow as she gazed at Tiberius. The grey feline stood, arched his back, jumped off the chair, wandered out of the study, and along the hallway. What are you up to? 

Tiberius stopped, then sat in the middle of the hallway, then turned his head and gazed down the hall at Lucy. She glanced at the open drawer. I should put this in the fridge. 

Lucy picked up the capped vial of insulin and held it in her hands. She strolled across the study, then down the hall. Upon closer inspection, Lucy noticed that a single dose had been taken from the vial. As Lucy followed the hall to the left, Tiberius chased after her, meowing louder as she sauntered through the house.

A few moments later, Lucy stood in the empty kitchen opposite the fridge. Maybe I should throw it out? I’m sure you can’t donate a partially used vial of insulin. Lucy sighed.

After a few more minutes of deliberation, Lucy opened the fridge and surveyed the shelves attached to the inside of the door. At the top, Lucy spotted a row of identical small bottles containing a clear liquid.

Reaching out, Lucy slipped the vial in the last vacant space. Out of the corner of her eye, a familiar grey blur jumped onto the kitchen island countertop. Lucy shook her head as Tiberius meowed at her.

‘Bubba, get off the counter. You know you’re not supposed to be in here.’

As Lucy turned around and closed the fridge door. She gasped. Flinging the fridge door back open, she stared at the row of insulin. One vial contained a liquid with a slight shimmer. It was in stark contrast to the other sealed bottles. Was this difference because it was a part of a new batch or because it was opened? The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as another possibility came to mind. No.

Concluding Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading the tenth chapter of my cozy mystery short story, Entitled to Murder. Now, I need to get back to writing. Hopefully, I will finish the story in February; fingers crossed. At the end of the previous chapter, I ambitiously wanted to finish the revised draft at the end of the first week; an epic fail on my part. But I suspect that this goal is more realistic. After that, I will hand the story off to beta readers, make a few minor edits, then submit it to my editor.

Honestly, I can’t wait to share the ready-to-publish eBook with you. Once I draw closer to pressing the publish button on this story, I may remove everything after the first chapter, depending upon whether I choose to enrol this book in Kindle Unlimited or publish it on all ebook retailer platforms. If you want a free copy of the ebook when it’s available, make sure you sign up using the opt-in form below. By opting in, you’ll receive email updates alerting you of the new chapters, plus a free copy of the ebook, Entitled to Murder when it finished.

As I write and edit the subsequent scenes and chapters, I’ll share them on this blog and over on Wattpad, so be sure to follow me if that’s how you prefer to read.

With love,

Amelia xx