The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 96

At Linefort City, the Lambert ancestral home.

Five people decked out in camo gear were sneaking around the graveyard, ducking and dodging every flashlight beam.

Vincent signaled to Belinda Fuller, trailing behind. “Hurry up, watch your step. It’s just a darn graveyard, no clue why Martin’s made such a fuss calling a crowd to keep watch.”

The Fuller couple, aka Belinda’s parents, were bringing up the rear, all miffed, poking Belinda in the back.

“What’s the deal? Why’s Vincent tagging along? Didn’t we agree it’s just us dropping off the stuff?”

They were plotting to secretly stash the Fuller family elders‘ ashes and then just say Old Mrs. Lambert was already resting there, hoping the graveyard’s blessing worked its magic for the Fuller’s future generations.

Poor Belinda was in a pickle!

She was clueless as to why Vincent’s gone bananas all of a sudden, insisting on going back to the homestead to rebury Old Mrs. Lambert’s ashes himself.

He was all antsy because he wasn’t there when she was laid to rest, wondering how Noella managed the burial and wouldn’t have peace of mind until he saw it for himself.

Belinda’s mother Debbie’s eyes were all shifty. “Let’s negotiate with Vincent later. The grave’s roomy enough; maybe we can sneak the ashes of Old Mrs. Fullers in, too?”

Belinda’s father, Malcom Fuller, nodded, rubbing his back and following along. Let’s go with that for now. If Vincent ain’t on board, we’ll think of something else.”

Belinda’s stomach was flipping.

Knowing how tightfisted Vincent was, good luck to anyone trying to snag a slice of his fortune!

They were all crouching and creeping in the graveyard.

Beckett’s guards were everywhere with military–grade flashlights, patrolling like there was no tomorrow, worried about troublemakers.

Seeing the setup, Vincent muttered, “What’s Martin’s deal, making a mountain out of a molehill for a graveyard? If we could buddy up with him, our pressing issues wouldn’t be issues…”

His wounds from an unknown beating were still throbbing, and he was feeling all sorts of uncomfortable.

If it weren’t for the graveyard’s sweet location promising a fortune for the Lamberts, he wouldn’t be caught dead checking it out himself.

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Chapter 96

lately?” Vincent had been spam–calling Milford, trying

all wrapped up in scripts, getting ready to shoot, with

Milford said he’s swamped with company stuff, no time to

“What’s Milford thinking, ignoring his gorgeous fiancée like that?

Briony buzzed at the thought of

media was all over their wedding, showing Noella, now just a caregiver for the Schnabels, just how blissful she was!

guy she had dreamed of marrying since

a mess, especially after rain had turned the graveyard into a mud pit. The family trudged through, deep in mud and silence.

had been to such a place. She nearly slipped, but Malcom behind

is

Didn’t you see

the good stuff would get guarded

old shack, right? Or she wouldn’t go

spot Martin mentioned and whipped out his portable shovel, eager to

a weird noise hit

“Bang!”

“Bang!”

out of his skin!

hillside as a graveyard, where

noise?” Belinda and Briony

digging up Old Mrs. Lambert for now; pop open the grave

and the banging noise grew wilder.

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Chapter 96

“Is this, like, haunted or what?”

back of his head. “Haunted my foot! I–It’s the

shook as they all huddled, listening to the mysterious sounds.

the grave first. Vincent. I brought some of your mom’s ashes. It should be enough; there’s no need

would tell Vincent he had Old Mrs. Lambert’s

like that, the Fullers‘ patriarch could slide

up. “Dad, you’re the

father–in–law must’ve known he would be spooked, so he grabbed some of Old Mrs. Lambert’s ashes

resumed their grave–digging.