Murder in Barbados: An Anna Winters Cozy Mystery (Murder in Paradise Book 4) by Penelope Sotheby

overhearing what you were talking about.”
    “I take it our little visitor was you the other night.” Monica laughed. “Tell me what you heard.”
    “I heard enough.” Anna could feel her breathing grow labored. “I know what you did and I know you are a killer.”
    “Who did I kill?” Monica asked.
    “We both know who you killed.” Anna cautiously responded. “But if it helps to clear your conscience, you can say the words.”
    Monica smirked and pulled her hand from her pocket. In her hand was a pistol aimed at Anna’s chest. Once again, Anna had found herself on the wrong end of a gun. She was thinking frantically when she felt a sharp pain in the back of her head and darkness swarmed around her.

Chapter 8
     
     
    Anna wasn’t aware how much time had passed. Her head throbbed and she had trouble focusing her eyes for a moment. Trying to bring her hands to her head, she found they were tied behind her back.
    Blinking her eyes a few times, she slowly managed to get them to focus. Looking over to her right, she found herself looking at Monica, who was crouched on the other side of the room.
    “I was concerned you wouldn’t wake up.” Monica began emotionlessly.
    “You’ve made a grave mistake.” Anna warned. “I am working with the local authorities and I’ll need to report this to them.”
    “The worst thing you could do right now is threaten me.” Monica snapped. “Your life is in my hands. This time, I am inclined to let you live. But I need to know how much you know because you boldly claimed you know what Colin and I are doing.”
    “I know you and Colin killed Laura Segal.” Anna grimaced as her head throbbed.
    “Wait.” Monica howled with laughter. “Oh, sweetie. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    Anna looked at the woman curiously. “You pistol whipped me. You were talking about illegal activity with Colin. Everything pointed to murder with you. Also, I’m not your sweetie.”
    “Oh, sweetie.” Monica laughed again. “We’re moving stolen goods. Neither of us killed anyone. Well, not here. I can’t say I haven’t spilled blood of others at other times. I do have a reputation, you know.”
    “Can I have some paracetamol or something?” Anna interrupted. “I’m fine with a long winded story but my head is throbbing.”
    Monica rolled her eyes and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a tiny bottle and removed a white pill from it.
    “Here is some paracetamol.” Monica smiled at her. “Take it and we can continue talking.”
    Monica went behind her and untied Anna’s hands. Within moments, her wrists felt relief and Anna rubbed them to help get the blood flowing to her hands. As Monica handed her the pill, Anna turned it over in her hand. It looked bigger than any paracetamol she had ever taken before. She looked into Monica's eyes.
    “Why does it look strange?” Anna asked.
    “It’s just an 800 MG pill.” Monica replied. “That’s why I am giving you one instead of two 500 MG pills. It is all I have.”
    Anna looked at Monica for a moment. Then, putting the pill in her mouth, she cringed. Monica handed her a bottle of water and Anna swallowed it. The cool water felt good against the back of her dry throat. It made Anna wonder just how long she had been out.
    “Thank you.” Anna smiled.
    “Well, you probably won’t be thanking me for long.” Monica sighed. “You’ll have to forgive me, but you're going to look like you’re a little crazy.”
    “What do you mean?” Anna demanded.
    “It’s a simple pain pill.” Monica replied. “It won’t hurt you. But you will be in a bit of a fog for a few hours. Everything you claim to know and have seen will be questioned. Call it a side effect of the medication. I could kill you, but people would miss you.”
    “You can't do this to me.” Anna whispered.
    “You’ll get over it.” Monica rolled her eyes. “You’ll feel a little drunk and tipsy. Hopefully, you’re a fun drunk.”
    “Well,