Page 18 of Toxic Apple Turnovers

“To make sure you stop these thugs before they hit the Canadian border. Let’s just say you’re the only hope some people have. If you stop them, Lottie—you will save many, many lives. These men have killed before. They’re not afraid to do it again. And they will. We’re here to avert a great tragedy.”

A chill runs through me.

“How am I going to stop them if I don’t know who they are or where they’ll strike next?” I whisper before glancing around at the women huddled together just as a flurry of deputies burst through the door.

Max steps in close as his ghostly frame slowly begins to dissipate. “We’re going to help you figure out exactly who they are. We won’t let you miss a thing, Lottie,” he says as he evaporates to nothing.

I won’t miss a thing. And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

Noah rushes back inside and takes me in his arms.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” he pants the words out quick and heated.

“I’m fine.” My arms wrap themselves around his body, and Noah and I hold onto one another so very tight with no sign of letting go.

The dead are here to avert a great tragedy. A novel concept, considering it’s never worked that way before.

I just hope they can help me stop this tour de force of evil before it’s too late.

It already feels just that—too late.

Chapter 7

Once Noah and I are thoroughly interviewed by the sheriff’s department, we indeed pick up that pizza from Mangias—to go, of course. But we don’t get any farther than the bakery.

Once inside, we’re accosted by Keelie, Lily, Meg, Lainey, Cormack, Britney, my mother, Chrissy Nash, Carlotta, and Mayor Nash.

It’s utter melee while we both assure everyone we’re more than fine. And both my mother and Mayor Nash look as if they can use a cup of coffee or twelve.

Noah runs through the entire story for a fourth time, trying to answer the barrage of questions as they come, just as Everett dashes through the front door.

I’m locked in his arms faster than I can process what’s happening and he lands a tender kiss right to my lips before pulling me in aggressively once again.

“Lemon,” he whispers hard into my ear. “I left Ashford as soon as I got Lily’s text. I’m sorry I couldn’t be here sooner. Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Did they touch you?” There’s a fire in his eyes that I haven’t seen before, not even in his most ornery state back in his courtroom.

“I’m more than fine.” Tears come to the party, and I try to blink them away. “I, um…” I hold up my left hand, unable to say another word.

Cormack must sense the matrimonial implications of it all because she pops up like an unwanted apparition.

“They took the ring!” she belts it out like a tragic country song. “Tell me it was a replica, Essex. I couldn’t stand the thought of that precious baby floating around in some criminal’s hot hands.” She looks my way. “Eliza is simply going to kill you. And to think she actually approved of you marrying her son.” She clicks her tongue. “Don’t worry, Linda. The replica odds are in your favor.” She rushes back to Noah’s side as he finishes answering yet another question about the robbery.

“Do not worry about the ring.” Everett’s jaw tenses. “I’m going to find whoever put you through this, and I’m going to kill them myself.”

“Trust me, they’re not worth the time behind bars.” I glance around before leaning in. “Max Finmore told me it’s a band of thieves on their way to Canada. For whatever reason, they’re hanging out in the area.”

He nods as if it makes sense. “Getting what they can before they presumably clean up their act when they get to the other side. They’re probably running from something big.”

“Max said they’ve killed before.” I shudder as I say it. “And I bet they’re the same gang that was responsible for all the robberies the night of the murder.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.”

“Anyway, he said the dead that have returned are going to help me capture them.”

Noah pops up. “No way.” Both his brows and his lips are drawn into a line, and he looks decidedly unhappy with the news.

“I agree.” Everett shakes his head. “They are armed and dangerous, and you mentioned they’ve killed before. I can’t stand by and let you put yourself in harm’s way like that.”

“Absolutely not,” Noah echoes.