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Автор Virginia Smith
Chase knocked on the door.
Nothing.
Exchanging a glance with Caitlin, he pounded with a fist. “Willie? Hey, Willie, are you in there?”
Not a sound from inside. Concern flooded Caitlin’s features. “Maybe he’s ill and can’t come to the door. I think you should go in, Chase. He might need help. ”
She was right. Chase pounded on the door once again. “Willie, I’m coming in. ”
He unlocked the door, stepped inside. And froze.
Willie lay facedown on a large throw rug, his head at an unnatural sideways angle. An incredible amount of blood soaked the thin rug. Chase’s stomach lurched. From his vantage point, he could see that Willie’s throat had been cut.
Just like the man in the park. Just like Kevin.
Chase backed out and pulled the door closed.
“Chase?” Caitlin sounded worried. “Is everything okay?”
Chase swallowed hard. “We’d better call 9-1-1. Willie’s dead. ”
VIRGINIA SMITH
Virginia Smith
Scentof Murder
I’m grateful to many people who helped me take this story from idea to published book.
Thanks to
My husband, Ted, for helping me work out the details and for shopping with me in Little Nashville, though that’s probably his least favorite thing to do in the world.
A terrific group of friends with whom Ted and I have spent many delightful hours in Brown County: Trudy Kirk (my shopping buddy and retail therapist), Bob Young, and two we’ll see again on the other side, Larry Kirk and Paul Morris.
Janet Stephens from Candle Makers on the Square in Bowling Green, Kentucky, for openly sharing her knowledge and helping me understand the candle-making process. And Shawn Freeman, L. A. P. D.
The CWFI Critique Group for brainstorming all sorts of crazy things that can be stored in candles: Tracy Ruckman, Sherry Kyle, Vicki Tiede, Amy Barkman, Amy Smith, Ann Knowles and Richard Leonard. And special thanks to Tracy for reading this manuscript in its roughest form and offering excellent suggestions.
My agent, Wendy Lawton, for encouragement above and beyond the call of duty.
All the people at Steeple Hill Books who continually give to me freely of their time and expertise, especially Elizabeth Mazer, Tina Colombo, Louise Rozett and Krista Stroever.
