Murder in the Dog Days (Maggie Ryan) (36 page)

“Please,” begged Donna, “tell me what to do!”

“She’s told you,” Maggie said. “She said, think about the girls. You’ve got to make the decisions now, Donna. And live with the results.”

Donna was bent over again, face in her hands.

Holly paused by the entry arch and said gently, “I can tell you one thing. You’re on the other side of the great divide now. You’ve met killing face to face. So whatever else you decide, better put a soft rug next to your bed. You’re going to fall out of it with nightmares, lady.”

Donna’s head, still bowed, gave a tiny nod. Holly’s gaze lingered a moment, then her eyes met Maggie’s in sorrow. Tentatively, Maggie raised her fingers in a V.

Holly hesitated, then returned the salute. “Peace,” she said, and went back out into the night.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

P.M. Carlson taught psychology and statistics at Cornell University before deciding that mystery writing was more fun. She has published twelve mystery novels and over a dozen short stories. Her novels have been nominated for an Edgar Award, a Macavity Award, and twice for Anthony Awards. Two short stories were finalists for Agatha Awards. She edited th
e
Mystery Writers Annua
l
for Mystery Writers of America for several years, and served as president of Sisters in Crime.

Books by P.M. Carlson:

Audition for Murde
r
: Maggie Ryan, 1967
(1985)

Murder Is Academi
c
: Maggie Ryan, 1968
(1985)

Murder Is Pathologica
l
: Maggie Ryan, 1969
(1986)

Murder Unrenovate
d
: Maggie Ryan, 1972
(1988)

Rehearsal for Murde
r
: Maggie Ryan, 1973
(1988)

Murder in the Dog Day
s
: Maggie Ryan, 1975 (1991)

Murder Misrea
d
: Maggie Ryan, 1977 (1990)

Bad Bloo
d
: Maggie Ryan, 1979 (1991)

The Marty Hopkins Series

Graveston
e
(1993)

Bloodstrea
m
(1995)