Annabel ordered her half-caf, half-soy, half-skim vanilla latte. The barista was taking her money when her BlackBerry buzzed in her back pocket.
Utopia Girl: You still think we’re writing this book together, don’t you?
Annabel leaned against the wall to wait for her drink.
Death Reporter: Have you changed your mind?
Utopia Girl: Yeah. Don’t think I’ll let you live that long.
Annabel tried to swallow but nothing went down except air. She glanced around her. Was Utopia Girl bluffing?
Death Reporter: Why are you threatening me?
Utopia Girl: Not a threat. I’m telling you so you can make arrangements. Plan your estate, ha ha.
A shiver ran through her. She grabbed her latte from the shelf and stuck a lid on it. She lifted the drink to her lips and then dropped the paper cup, full, into the trash, without taking a sip.
Death Reporter: Not funny.
Utopia Girl: Yeah, that was more for my amusement than yours. So are you going home soon? That was cute how you dropped your drink in the trash.
Annabel glanced frantically around the cafe. Everyone looked innocent. Everyone could be guilty.
Was Utopia Girl inside or outside? Annabel was only a block from her condo. Should she make a run for it, or stay in Starbucks where there were other people—witnesses?
Utopia Girl: It wasn’t poisoned. But at least you’re thinking clearly again. Good job. All right, I’ll let you live. Go home.
Death Reporter: Please tell me what you mean. Have I done something to anger you? If so, I promise it was by accident. I don’t want to turn you in, or expose you. Tell me what I can do to correct it.
Utopia Girl: I was just messing with you. But I’m pleased to know where your loyalty lies.
Death Reporter: So you’re not going to kill me?
Utopia Girl: No. Like I said before, I only kill important people.
Annabel wished she could trust that. She called Matthew. He would rescue her; he would walk her back to her place and stay with her that night. He’d been so sweet the last time they’d seen each other. Rented bicycles, hung out in the daytime. Maybe she should consider a real relationship with him.
But of course there was no answer. There never was, when she actually needed him.
She took a deep breath and pushed open the door to outside. At least it was a busy street. With witnesses everywhere.
YOU ARE READING
Dead Politician Society
Mystery / ThrillerThe mayor of Toronto collapses and dies while making a speech. The newspaper receives an email -- a fake obituary that claims credit for his murder. The note is signed by a secret society at a prestigious downtown university. Clare Vengel is given h...
