“I will, but there are conditions attached to that. I mean, if I’m directly implicated in the murder and you consider me a suspect, I’ll have to prove my innocence. And if someone’s killed at an event I’m involved with, and I discover the body, then I’m going to want to find out what happened. And—”
“Enough! Being nosy is in your nature. I don’t think there’s anything I can do about that.”
“You should be glad I’m nosy,” I said. “But I prefer the term naturally curious. If it wasn’t for my natural curiosity, you may never have discovered what Colin did.”
Campbell glowered at me. “One more thing. If you discover that a member of my team is keeping a secret, you tell me immediately.”
I bit my lip. “Who are we talking about?”
“You know who. Saracen’s told me everything.”
“And he still has a job?”
He nodded. “For now.”
“You can’t fire him. For some weird reason, he loves working for you.”
Campbell snorted a laugh. “Everyone loves me. Get in the car, Holly Holmes.”
I suppressed laughter as I walked back to the limo. Campbell opened the door for me, and I slid in next to Lady Philippa, who gave my knee a squeeze.
“Is everything good? Campbell not being a problem?”
I looked around in the car full of wonderful, quirky oddballs who I considered my extended family. “No problem. Everything’s perfect.”
“It will be when we get to Olivia’s cottage,” Alice said. “I ordered two dozen of your chocolate swirl cupcakes to have as a dessert.”
“Then it really will be a good lunch.” I sat back and listened to them chatter among themselves. I’d been embraced by this warm, eclectic family, and my heart thudded with happiness.
This last week had been a whirlwind of cakes, catastrophe, and chaos. As dazed as I was by it all, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This felt like a real win.
I had wonderful friends, a job I loved, and my best furry friend snuggled on my knee.
About the Author
K.E. O’Connor (Karen) is a cozy mystery author living in the beautiful British countryside. She loves all things mystery, animals, and cake (these often feature in her books.)
When she’s not writing about mysteries, murder, and treats, she volunteers at a local animal sanctuary, reads a ton of books, binge watches mystery series on TV, and dreams about living somewhere warmer.
To stay in touch with the fun, clean mysteries, where the killer always gets their just desserts, follow Karen on Facebook or join her newsletter
More books by K.E. O’Connor
Holly Holmes cozy culinary mysteries
Set at the stunning Audley Castle, with treats, murder, twists, and a host of eccentric characters.
Cream Caramel and Murder
Chocolate Swirls and Murder
Crypt Witch cozy witch mystery series
Featuring Tempest Crypt, a witch who can swallow demons, a talking hellhound, murder, intrigue, and a host of fun characters.
Luck of the Witch
Hell of a Witch
Revenge of the Witch
Curse of the Witch
Son of a Witch
Trickery of the Witch
Wishes of the Witch
Lorna Shadow cozy ghost mystery series
Cozy ghost mystery set in the fun world of a personal assistant who can see ghosts! Meet Lorna Shadow, her ditzy sidekick, Helen Holiday, and Flipper, the dog who can sense ghosts.
Ghostly Manners
Ghostly Secrets
Ghostly Games
Ghostly Affairs
Ghostly Business
Ghostly Rules
Ghostly Waves
Ghostly Play
Ghostly Proposal
Ghostly Vows
Ghostly Fright
Ghostly Hunt
A complete cozy mystery series, featuring Cassie March, Stool the three-legged dog, grumpy cop Nick Morton, and friendly zombies (they exist!)
Dangerous Tails (prequel novella told from Nick Morton’s point of view)
Murder Daze
Hearts & Murder
Murder Fling
Candyfloss & Murder
Furballs & Murder
Old Sarum witch mystery series
Cozy witch mystery set in the magical world of Old Sarum, featuring curses, magic, and murder.
Witch Kissed
Witch Rose
Witch Guy