Engagement To Die For: Harlow Mystery, #2

By Claris Lam

After everything Aubri went through at the resort, the last thing Aubri needs is more drama. However, meeting her previously-unknown twin sister for the first time, and attending her mother's engagement party, results in yet another murder.

 

Due to the remote area of this crime, the police won't be able to make it for a few days, and Aubri realizes that she, once again, along with her friends and her sister, must take up the mantle themselves to solve the case or risk being new victims.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Claris Lam
• Release date: Jun 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9781778199820

Claris Lam

Claris Lam writes fiction and poetry. He poems have been featured in several collections. Winner Takes All is her first novel, and Engagement To Die For is the sequel. She is currently writing the third and final book in the Harlow Mystery series, and several other novels. You can learn more about her work at www.clarislam.ca, and subscribe to her newsletter at clarislamauthor.substack.com to keep up with the latest updates on her work.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was happening again .

Renee stood there in the entrance of the hotel room, covered in blood, smiling at her. Aubri felt her blood grow cold as she stepped back. Tried to defend herself with whatever was in her hotel room, tried to lock Renee out of her bedroom while calling the front desk for help.

Banging resounded against the door before it splintered apart. Renee tore through the wood, face contorting into a sneer as she cornered her against the wall.

"You will never leave me. Aubri felt Renee grab her by the wrists, pinning them above her head with one hand before the other tightened around her throat and squeezed. You belong to me–!"

Aubri grasped at her own throat, sitting upright in bed, before she forced herself to breathe slower. Even as she lowered her hands to her sides, her hands tightly gripped bedsheets soon after. She breathed in, out, in – until she felt her breathing level out, heart hammering a bit less in her chest.

It was fine, she told herself. Renee was dead.

Dead because of her, but still – Renee couldn’t hurt her anymore. She shouldn’t be able to. Just a nightmare, she repeated to herself, shaking her head.

Aubri?

She wearily gazed to her right, seeing Bastian standing by her bedside, shoulders hunched as he looked over her. Wrinkles collected at the edges of his eyes as he swallowed, then rasped, Are you okay? You were muttering things in your sleep, and it didn’t look good, so I thought I’d wake you...?

I-I’ll be fine. She reassured him. Bastian sighed, shoulders relaxing lightly.

It was the nightmares again, wasn’t it?

She knew what he meant – the persisting visions of Renee, usually murdering her or everyone around her. It happened most nights when she slept. It had been worse after Renee initially died at the beach resort, but Aubri was trying to get better.

Didn’t stop her from having bad nights occasionally, though.

It was. She admitted, shaking her head lightly. I’m sorry if I scared you. They did share an apartment space – and had for quite some time now since the last time she investigated any mysteries.

She didn’t want to investigate any more if she didn’t have to.

Ever since all that happened at the Calloway Island Resort, Aubri just wanted to get away from all the associated drama and start fresh. Her moving into a shared apartment with Bastian, the one person she knew she could trust most, earned her strange looks from some of their neighbours, given the age difference between Aubri and Bastian. At least no one did or said anything about it in front of their faces, and that was fine with Aubri. She trusted Bastian, and Bastian didn’t mind living with her so they could split rent.

She was grateful that Bastian was living with her. Not just because of splitting rent, or because he was her ex-fake-boyfriend once upon a time. She was fine with living with her closest friend and having a safe and cozy apartment to stay in. Some people might think it wasn’t daring enough, or that she should go out more often, but Aubri preferred safety to being anywhere dangerous, right now.

Was it her being overly cautious? Aubri supposed she was, but she also was glad to be alive and didn’t want to lose her life too soon.

How about I make you some tea? Bastian managed, offering her a weak smile. She saw dark circles forming under his eyes already, probably from being up so late. I’ll get a kettle boiling.

That would be great. Thanks. There was no way she’d be sleeping much for the rest of tonight, at this point.

No problem. And with that, he stepped out, giving her a moment to breathe alone.

Sudden ringing blared from her cellphone on the night table, and her shoulders tightened as she swore. Reaching for the phone, she pushed long, light brown bangs out of her face with her free hand and answered. Hello? Who would call in the middle of the night like this?

Aubri? It was her mother on the other end, her voice sparking joyfully. It wasn’t like her mother to sound so optimistic It’s good to hear you!

H-hi, Mom. Aubri couldn’t help but smile, hearing her mother’s voice. She knew she and her mother never talked much, after she graduated university, but she did her best to keep in touch. It’s good to hear from you, too.

I have the most exciting news to share with you. Her mother chuckled a little, before she blurted out, I’m engaged!

A gasp tore from Aubri’s throat. "What do you mean, you’re engaged?"

Aubri Celestia Harlow could not believe what she was hearing. Her mother? Engaged, at this age? It wasn’t like Geneva Harlow was an old woman, but Aubri knew she wasn’t young, either. And sure, older people got married, but as far as Aubri knew, her mother hadn’t bothered dating anyone since she and her father divorced back when Aubri was only a baby.

Aubri grew up never seeing her father’s face, and as far as she knew, growing up, she had never seen her mother date anyone. The fact that her mother would call one day and say she was engaged wasn’t anything she expected, ever.

That’s exactly what’s happening, Aubri. Her mother stated, and Aubri could hear the happiness seeping through her voice. I’m engaged!

How? Aubri knew that she had to know details. How did something like this sneak up on her without her noticing? Was it because she kept throwing herself into work? Because she barely checked her own social media since the whole incident back at the island and posted way less often that she used to? Was it because she didn’t keep in constant contact with her own mom about anything? Probably a combination of all three, she figured. "When did you date him? How long have you been dating him?"

I started dating him a month or two before you were at that beach resort. Geneva managed, a sigh leaving her. Given that you were recovering from your murderous ex-girlfriend, I didn’t want to bring it up to you so soon and worry you. He’s a fine man, I promise. I’m sure you’ll love him! You’ll get to meet him at the engagement party we’re having.

Only since a month before the beach resort incident? The whole beach resort murder happened about six months ago at this point – meaning that her mother only dated this man for seven months, and now they were getting married? That seemed odd, but she supposed she should be happy for her. At least her mom was doing fine in the romance department, regardless of speed.

And the party is...? Aubri asked.

Another sigh escaped her mother as she stated, Tomorrow. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier, but I’ve been so busy preparing for the engagement party, and starting to make wedding plans, so it slipped my mind until now.

Oh no. Aubri groaned, hoping it wasn’t audible enough for her mother to hear. "Mom, you know that my boss is going to kill me for taking time off last-minute. I barely have anything nice to wear for that long of a period, let alone one day’s worth of a party at all! What am I supposed to do?"

If you want to lie and say it’s a family emergency, you can. You have my permission! A chuckle escaped Geneva at that. And... Geneva’s voice softened. I really want you to come. I’m worried about you, Aubri. You’ve barely been going out at all, ever since what happened at that beach resort – at least, as far as I know. You’re missing out on so much, and you really shouldn’t be at your age.

Mom, A sigh left Aubri, "I thought we talked about this already. I’m happy being in my apartment and with my new job. I’m financially secure and I’m very safe. What more could you ask for?"

I want you to be happy. I know you wanted some time off from dating after everything that happened, but you could even use this party to get a new date, maybe!

Aubri gritted her teeth. "I am happy as is, Mom." She didn’t need a date to be happy. She didn’t want one. And I’m not exactly ready to start dating again after everything that happened.

Just come to this party, please? Her mother insisted. I want this to be special. And I want you to be there.

Aubri knew that her mother had a point. The very least she could do was be there for her. Alright, I’ll come. Even if the party was last-minute, she wanted to be there to support her mom, even if she didn’t know who the hell she was marrying. So, where’s the party?

It starts at the Terra train station; you’ll have to be there by ten-thirty, tomorrow morning, to meet up with me and the others on the train. It’s going to be a four-day round trip on the train, the whole time, but I promise you’ll enjoy yourself. Leighton’s thought of everything.

Leighton? She hadn’t heard that name before. Who’s Leighton?

My fiancé. A happy sigh left Geneva. You’re going to love him!

We’ll see... Aubri took a deep breath, thinking of Terra train station. That was about an hour’s bus ride from where she lived. Well, I’ll do my best to make it on time. Congrats on the engagement, Mom.

And one more thing. Geneva’s voice suddenly grew solemn, and she cleared her throat before continuing. I’m...inviting your twin sister, Aria.

Aubri froze. A twin sister? She had a sister, period? Aubri grew up as an only child! I have a sister –  and you never told me until now? Why?

"Yes, you have a twin sister. I figured, since Leighton and I are getting married, it would be good for you to get in touch with more of our family." A sigh escaped Geneva before she continued speaking, her voice lowering a bit. I know that you have questions, Aubri. I promise to let you know when we get on the train. But your sister is a good person. You should finally get to know her.

But why didn’t I know about her earlier? Aubri frowned. If her own mother was going to force her to attend her engagement party and meet her fiancé and Aubri’s twin sister that she never met or heard of until now, she wanted answers as soon as possible!

Geneva paused, and Aubri heard her clear her throat before answering. When your father and I divorced, we ended up taking joint custody. Both of you weren’t even one yet, at the time. Because your father moved out of the country with Aria, though, we both mutually decided there wasn’t any point of either of you knowing of each other. But...things have changed. I’ll explain more on the train.

Mom — Aubri started, but her mom cut her off.

I should let you pack up, dear. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay? I love you!

Aubri repressed a sigh from leaving her once more. I love you too, Mom. See you soon. She quickly hung up, before putting her cellphone on the desk, sighing as she looked around her room, and then towards the door leading out towards the kitchen/living area where Bastian was.

How am I going to tell Bastian about this? And who the hell is my mother engaged to – what kind of person is Leighton that he can just romance my mother and get engaged to her in a few months?

And...why would she only tell me about my twin sister now? That last question made the least sense to her.

Hey, Aubri? She overheard Bastian speak as she entered the kitchen. Are you feeling better?

Aubri saw Bastian leaning back against the closest wall, and she offered him a smile as he looked up at her. Yeah, I’m a bit better now – though I have something to tell you.

"Odd, because I have something to tell you, too. Bastian looked down at the phone in his hand, and then up at her with a dismayed expression. Odd, Aubri, thought, looking at him. Usually, he didn’t have that sort of expression on his face unless something was terribly wrong. Then again, do you want to speak first? I heard your phone ringing from outside shortly after I started getting the kettle going and figured it couldn’t be good. By the way, water’s already boiled."

You don’t look that great, either.