Misfortune (The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries, Book Five)

By Amy Saunders

What do an old recluse, a new heiress, and an obsession with Egypt have in common? Portside, of course. And Belinda Kittridge.

In an attempt to help a woman who inherited a fortune from a total stranger, Belinda and Bennett get caught in the middle of a deadly struggle. The matter is complicated by a new detective who doesn’t play well with amateur sleuths. And Belinda’s visiting cousin wants in on the action–and danger.

Battling self-doubt, and fear that death threats will become realities, Belinda looks to her friends, and a couple frenemies, to dig to the bottom of a family full of secrets. It will take their combined efforts to unmask a killer–and a decades-old mystery.

Also in This Series:
Cliffhanger (Book One)
Auf'd (Book Two)
Drive-Bye (Book Three)
Overkill (Book Four)
Two to Tango (A Mini Mystery)
Unexpected (A Short Story)
Personal Shopper (A Short Story)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Saunders
• Release date: Oct 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310888205

Amy Saunders

Amy Saunders is a sci-fi/mystery addict with a soft spot for humor and romance. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. Learn more about Amy and her books at http://amysaundersauthor.com.

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Misfortune

(The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries, Book Five)

Amy Saunders

Misfortune

Copyright © 2016

http://amysaundersauthor.com

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Other Books by Amy Saunders

The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries

Cliffhanger (Book One)

Auf’d (Book Two)

Drive-Bye (Book Three)

Overkill (Book Four)

Two to Tango (A Mini Mystery)

Unexpected (A Short Story)

Personal Shopper (A Short Story)

The Birthright Series

Inborn (Book 1)

Marked (Book 2)

Standalone Titles

Biohazard (A Novella)

The Jester’s Apprentice

Dead Locked

Chapter 1

Belinda’s eyes shot open, her heart competing for the Guinness World Record for most beats per minute without having a coronary. She thought–nope, she was sure–she heard a thud beyond her room. After lying still and holding her breath for several seconds, she slid out from beneath the covers and tiptoed to the door, trying to artfully bypass the squeaky floorboards. But between the surge of adrenaline and barely being awake, she stumbled across the room, nearly tripping over her own legs, and finally ran into the wall, which was closer than she thought.

Steadying herself and blinking to force her mind to wake up more, Belinda turned the knob slowly and opened the door, letting out a breath when it didn’t creak. She made her way into the hall, keeping her hands on the wall, the wool carpet runner scratching between her toes. It was total darkness on that side of the house, facing the back lawn. It was a moonless night, and for some unknown reason there wasn’t a single nightlight in the whole monstrosity of a house.

Belinda cursed her half-awake brain for not bringing a flashlight, especially when a floorboard creaked. Belinda stopped, straining to hear any sounds of another person, but all she could make out was her own breath, jagged and shallow now that she was stuck with zero vision and no flashlight in a scary old house when she woke up to a thud outside.

She decided to retreat to her room for her flashlight, and took one cautious step back, praying she didn’t land on a creaky spot. Her foot landed on something cold and hard and she stifled a scream with her hand just as a light flicked on, illuminating Bennett. Belinda fell against the wall, her body going limp from the terror that just seized her.

You scared me to death! she whispered harshly, realizing she landed on his bare foot. I thought I heard something–but it was probably you.

Bennett shook his head, his eyes still holding a sleepy haze. Belinda was pretty sure her sleepy haze had now been scared out of her. I just came out. I heard something too.

Belinda stood straighter, alert again. Bennett wasn’t prone to delusions, so maybe this was serious. Another door creaked open, and Bennett aimed his light at the room next to Belinda’s. Kaya’s head peeked out, and she shielded her eyes from the light.

It’s just Kaya, Belinda said in relief as Bennett lowered the light.

Kaya ventured into the hall to join them, wrapping a silk kimono around her waist and hugging her body. Her chocolate brown hair, cut in a razor-edge short bob, was pushed up on one side from the way she’d been sleeping.

Did you guys hear that too? Kaya croaked. Bennett and Belinda nodded in unison, and Kaya drew her arms tighter around her body. I told myself I just imagined it.

You didn’t imagine it. Bennett adjusted his flashlight so he could shine and swing at will. Go back to Kaya’s room. I’ll go scope out the downstairs.

He started to leave, but Belinda snatched his sleeve, bunching it between her fingers. You’re not going down there alone. Do you know what happens to people who go into a dark downstairs alone in movies like this? Belinda opened her eyes wide in tandem with the question. They die. That’s what happens to them.

Okay. So we can all go downstairs and die together.

Exactly.

Bennett bit back a smile.

Wait here. Belinda shuffled to her bedroom, reemerging a few seconds later, Taser in hand.

Bennett checked the Taser, then appraised her dubiously.

What? Belinda said. I have experience.

Bennett arched one thick, dark eyebrow.

"So I have limited experience, Belinda drawled. It’s still better than just a flashlight."

Bennett pointed at Belinda’s nose. If you hit me with that thing, you will never see it again.

She wrinkled her nose at him, tightening her grip on the Taser. Kaya slung her arm through Belinda’s and they huddled close to each other, staying on Bennett’s heels as they followed him downstairs. The only noise was the stairs creaking as they walked. Bennett swiveled his flashlight right and left, light sweeping out to the far reaches of the foyer, across the dark oak paneled walls and floors.

Kaya Richmond had recently inherited the estate–and the fortune that came with it–from Cecelia de Montfort, a woman Portside society hadn’t seen for decades. Or that Kaya had seen even once. Nonetheless, the whole thing came down to Kaya, who’d moved into the house recently and that’s when the trouble began.

Two distant relatives of de Montfort materialized and started contesting the will. Not a huge surprise, far as Belinda was concerned, considering that it was rumored the old woman was worth hundreds of millions, having inherited her father’s fortune amassed during the heyday of the railroad. But Kaya had pulled Belinda and Bennett in for help when she started to think someone was trying to kill her. Even if she was paranoid, Belinda felt Kaya had every reason to be with all that money at stake. People had certainly killed for much less.

They crept along behind the stairs toward the back rooms, Bennett pushing open the library door with his free hand. The door gave with a shove, and Belinda and Kaya jumped when the light froze on the head of a statue of the Egyptian god Anubis. Kaya relaxed her grip, muttering, I hate all this stuff, as she exhaled. Other than the dog-god, no one was in the library.

Same went for the dining room, the kitchen in the far back, and what amounted to a parlor in the front of the house. Maybe they were all just paranoid. Maybe it was the neighbor’s cat I’ve seen around lately, Kaya said.

Maybe, Bennett said, sweeping the main rooms one more time, his lips pressed tight and eyes stern.

Kaya yawned, drawing her robe closer around her body. Well, I’m going back to bed.

After hesitating, Belinda started following her back up with Bennett dragging behind, still glancing around the downstairs.

Goodnight, Kaya said, and sashayed back to her room, the door clicking behind her.

Belinda’s Taser hung by her side, her trigger finger still poised. Something about all this wasn’t right. The noise had sounded all too real. Or maybe it was just this house, with all its antiques and oak paneling and bizarre statues making her imagine things. Do you think we all dreamed that? Or that it was just the neighborhood cat?

Bennett leaned against the wall, the flashlight dangling by his leg. Even jumping out of bed in the middle of the night, somehow his almost-black hair was exactly in place like it was when they went to bed. She could sense a tendril of her own blonde hair springing out of its bun around the side of her face. Bennett caught her gaze, lost somewhere between thinking and falling back asleep, and cracked a side smile. He tucked the loose hair behind her ear, grazing her neck with his knuckles.

Go back to bed, he said softly. I’ll stay up a little longer, just to be sure.

Belinda lingered, wobbling on her sleepy legs. Kaya said the noises she’d been hearing almost sounded like they were coming from inside the walls. But this sounded like it was outside.

Bennett nodded in agreement. Like I said, I’ll stay up. You get some sleep.

Belinda held out her Taser until he finally took it, then kissed his cheek. In case.

In case…what exactly? Bennett’s dark eyebrows were perfectly arched, his forehead creased.

In case you run into trouble.

Oh… Bennett looked at the Taser and then at her. Got it.

Tease me about that thing all you want, but it has been handy.

His gray eyes glinted in the light shining upon his face, and he pulled her in, kissing her forehead. Go to bed.

She wandered back to her room, Bennett still hovering around the stairs, and fell into bed, pulling the sheets over her. Part of her really wanted to stay with him in case something happened. The other part was falling asleep without her permission. As she drifted away, it occurred to her that Bennett never actually answered her question.

The next morning, after sleeping off and on with no more incidents, Belinda rolled out of bed and into the shower connected to her room, trying to wash away the grogginess. She knew she probably had a long day ahead of her and being alert might help. She finished getting ready, throwing open the maroon damask drapes blocking the morning sun. She blinked as the light entered her eyes, squinting to see out to the street and strip of yard in the front of the house. The night before, it felt like the room was enclosing around her with the dark oak canopy bed and wood paneling on the walls and heavy curtains. They’d only stayed there one night and she already felt like a vampire coming out of a coffin. Looking out the window and finding a world outside of the house was a relief.

She left the room behind, hoping they wouldn’t need to stay there for long. She met Bennett halfway to the stairs, and he pulled the Taser out from behind his back. His ebony hair was freshly coiffed, parted to the side with just enough rumpling around the edges to keep it from looking stuffy. They’d had a hot summer, so he wore a simple burgundy T-shirt, which clung to him in all the right places, so Belinda wouldn’t complain.

Thank you, he said, giving the Taser back to her, but it was unnecessary.

That’s what you say now. Belinda pointed the Taser at the carpet. If you’d needed it, I’d hear a different story.

If I’d needed it, we’d be in an alternate morning scenario.

You have a point. She tried to stifle a yawn. But I’m too sleepy to worry about it. She returned to her room and tucked the Taser safely back in her suitcase, rejoining Bennett at the stairs.

They followed the smell of freshly baked goods and coffee to the dining room, the three of them taking seats at the rectangular dining table with quite the spread for breakfast. Kaya sat at one end flanked by Belinda and Bennett with the addition of Rob, Kaya’s lawyer, joining them next to Belinda.

Belinda bit into an apricot scone while trying to type out a text with one finger to her twin brother, Kyle, to remind him to feed the kittens. She’d been slightly concerned leaving him to take care of things in the house they rented together, though he’d assured her he wouldn’t forget to feed and water Aria and Poseidon. It took an extra five minutes with one finger to type, but she hit Send and focused all her attention on the food, taking a sip of coffee in between from a wide-mouthed tea cup. Kaya had hired a maid-slash-cook, and Belinda had to hand it to the woman for knowing how to put forth a feast.

She smiled over her coffee at Bennett, who crunched into a piece of bacon. At least they’d be well fed, even if they all wore signs of not sleeping enough the night before. Kaya had dark circles under her eyes, and Bennett yawned every five minutes, despite downing four cups of coffee already, and working on his fifth.

Belinda smothered another yawn herself, glancing at Rob, who was the only bright-eyed, bushy-tailed one among them. He was a young lawyer, working for the firm Kaya’s family employed. His hair was as dark as Bennett’s at least, but he wore it shorter and slicked down to the side. He was already fully suited up, tossing the end of his tie over his shoulder to keep it out of the way as he shoved fried eggs and bacon into his mouth. Belinda suspected his cheerfulness came more from getting to see Kaya first thing in the morning and eating fresh cheese Danishes than because he was really that thrilled to be headed off to work.

Belinda’s phone lit up with a reply from Kyle: I know how to take care of myself, thank you.

That’s not what I was concerned about, Belinda muttered, taking another sip of coffee. Bennett quirked an eyebrow at her in question before another text popped up on the screen–Where do you keep the cat food? Belinda smiled. Just what she thought. She texted him back, noticing that Kaya had stopped eating and was staring intensely at a piece of mail she’d opened.

Everything okay? Belinda asked, finishing her message to Kyle about where to find the cat food.

It took a second before Kaya even realized Belinda had directed the question to her. Kaya blinked her thick eyelashes, the smattering of light freckles across her nose wrinkling up as she flashed a smile. Everything’s awesome. She folded up the paper and slipped it back into its envelope, setting it down on her lap under the table. What’s everyone up to today? It looks gorgeous out. Kaya wiggled around in her seat, picking up her coffee, making a point of glancing out the windows to her side.

Work, Bennett and Rob said in unison, their eyes meeting, like that disturbed both of them.

Aubrey. Belinda stared at the tiered tray of pastries, wondering if she could squeeze in just one more.

Oh, that’s right! Kaya flashed her set of perfectly white teeth. Your cousin is coming to visit. You have to promise to bring her by. Mia swears she’s your mini me.

Belinda’s cousin Mia, who was her official baker for the Cake Diva, was friends with Kaya in high school. She had suggested that Kaya talk to Belinda and Bennett when her troubles began.

Then this should be interesting, Bennett said dryly. Belinda wrinkled her nose at him.

I really can’t say what she’s like. Belinda returned her gaze to the pastries. I haven’t been around her much since she was a teen. But I guess I’ll find out since she’s staying with us.

And again I say, this should be interesting.

Belinda took a sip of her coffee, keeping her eyes on Bennett.

Rob glanced from Bennett to Belinda. Is your home too small or something?

We have plenty of room. Belinda kicked Bennett’s foot under the table. Bennett just doesn’t think I know what I’ve gotten into inviting Aubrey to stay with me. Bennett smirked.

Well, if you’re at your wits’ end, you can always send her– Kaya stopped as a shrill scream ruptured the quiet, echoing around outside.

After a brief pause, they all dropped their cups and food and hurried out through the back door in the kitchen to the yard. Kaya’s maid ran toward them, flailing her hands. The four of them ran around her, slowing down as they came upon a man lying facedown on the grass. Kaya stopped, putting a hand to her chest when they all realized what the scream was about.

The man had a knife sticking out of his back.

Chapter 2

Belinda swallowed, mesmerized by the sight, though she mostly saw the handle of the knife. It was plain, basic. The body was in the center of the yard, perfectly contained. Birds chirped in the trees and a breeze swayed the grass surrounding the dead man like nothing else was wrong outside that sphere. And a few minutes ago, they’d been nibbling pastries and sipping coffee, no clue that death was right outside their door. Nobody moved, except Bennett, who slipped the phone out of his back pocket. Nobody gets any closer, understand?

Kaya nodded fervently while Rob put his arm around her, his eyes transfixed on the body too, but Bennett was fixed on Belinda.

Why are you looking at me? she said, indignant. He quirked an eyebrow, same way he had the night before when she came equipped with her Taser. He was insinuating she would have the audacity to poke around the body. When have I ever done anything like that? Bennett’s eyebrow arched even higher. Okay…so maybe she had done something like that once. Maybe twice. It could have been a few times, but still. It was hardly cause for him to single her out.

We’ve all been here, Bennett said sternly, so we’re not giving any more cause for the police to suspect us.

Belinda nodded, jutting her chin out to try and make out anything unusual about the body from where they stood several feet away. Part of her was relieved he was facedown–especially after her last couple of run-ins, particularly when she and Victoria found Angie the artist dead. But it also made it difficult to know anything about him, really. He was in a black windbreaker and jeans, and a flashlight had rolled out near one hand. A prowler? Or would-be thief? The property had no real security system, so it wouldn’t be hard to climb over one of the walls. And Kaya’s inheritance had made local headline news. Maybe this guy fancied he could profit from it.

Belinda casually circled the body, keeping a careful distance, because she knew she should and because she could feel Bennett eyeing her as he talked to the emergency operator. She bent over to try and make out anything other than what he wore and the blood that stained his jacket. She squinted to see his hand better, the only other exposed part of his body, and thought she caught a glimpse of something drawn in the crevice at the base of his thumb. A tattoo?

Bennett finished reporting and Belinda dragged him over, trying to take the phone from his hand. What are you doing? he said. Remember, we’re suspects too.

I know, I know. But look– She pointed to the victim’s hand. He has a tattoo. They knelt down and used his camera phone to zoom in on the image. Kaya stood on her tiptoes to try and see what they were doing. They could only make out