Page 110 of Be Still My Unbeating Heart

Bastian was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to confess so readily.

“Just to be clear,” he said, leaning toward her, “the kitchen. You admit you did that?”

“Kitchen?” Aunt Agata asked.

Kerstin cocked an eyebrow. “Somebody has to take the fall for the murders. It seemed like the most sensible option to frame the best-known vampire in Vernazza.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Bastian said.

“Don’t agree with a killer, Bastian,” Whitby snapped.

“Killer?” Aunt Agata said, frowning at Kerstin while rearranging the knitting needles in the basket.

Kerstin took another glug from the bottle. “I’m not a killer.”

“You just admitted that you staged the crime scene,” De Luca said.

“Crime scene?” Kerstin said.

Whitby emitted a low grumble. “This is getting us nowhere! She’s clearly a moron!”

Kerstin hissed at the cat, her mouth opening wide, and that was when Bastian saw them.

Two elongated incisors.

Fangs.

Shock ran through him like an electrical current.

He thought he must be imagining it, he probably hit his head when the Obliterati’s van rolled, but there was no mistaking those savage, pointed teeth.

Before he could open his mouth to speak, a figure lunged for Kerstin. At first, Bastian thought it was De Luca, but De Luca wasn’t wearing a yellow sunflower dress.

Aunt Agata rushed Kerstin with surprising speed. In one swift motion, the shopkeeper tossed her wicker basket to the ground and brandished her knitting needles in one hand. With her other hand, she shoved Kerstin against the window of Micio Micio. Kerstin dropped her bottle in the scuffle, and it smashed against the cobbles.

Aunt Agata raised the knitting needles, bringing them down in a slicing arc to dig into Kerstin’s chest, right over her heart.

“I think it’s about time you started giving us some real answers,” the shopkeeper said.

36

Bastian stared at Aunt Agata pinning Kerstin against the window, his shoulders stiff with disbelief.

“Iseverybodyin this town a secret vampire?” Whitby asked.

Bastian cleared his throat, found his voice. “But…her heartbeat. She has a heartbeat.”

Even now he heard it. Steady and insistent.Alive.

Kerstin grimaced and, with an irritated grunt, shoved Aunt Agata away with surprising ease. The shopkeeper staggered backward a few paces, but her grip tightened around the knitting needles as she stepped forward again, undeterred. Kerstin held up her hands in a placating gesture.

“Please, let me explain,” she said.

“Yes, let’s all explain what the hell is going on,” Whitby retorted, her gaze switching between Kerstin and Aunt Agata.

“Aunt Agata?” De Luca said, his voice tight.

Aunt Agata’s gaze didn’t leave the grove owner as she said, “Neighborhood watch, dear. There are a couple of us stationedaround town because, well, we can’t always rely on the police.” She gave De Luca a brief look. “Sorry, Inspector.”