Since I began working at Seven Sisters, I’ve lost my best friend, who appears to have some serious unexplained issues with me. I’ve lost a sort-of boyfriend but found a guy I really like. I’ve met several “ghosts” and have had a lapful of mysteries thrown my way. Am I now going to be a murder suspect?

I didn’t know what to think about all of it, but there was one thing I did know. Seven Sisters was a place where life and death happened, where fear and hope resided—a place where things were lost and things were found.

I wondered what today was going to bring…

Read on for Chapter 1 of

Moonlight Falls on Seven Sisters…

I swung my Honda into the long driveway that led to the antebellum home, doing my best to navigate the maze of police cars and emergency vehicles. It was an odd sight: the swirling red and blue lights cast against the fading white columns and the green-gray mold that covered the chipping paint, evidence of many wet, humid Alabama seasons gone by. It was just a little after 8 a.m., and it had been a long night with too little sleep.

Ashland met me at the car. His drawn face and clenched square jaw were evidence that he was angry and disturbed. Hollis Matthews, the attorney who had hired me, had been found dead somewhere in the building. “Hey, thanks for coming over so fast. Listen, the police want to talk to us about last night, but don’t go in yet. They are about to take him out.”

I stepped out of the car, suddenly aware of how wild my wavy, long hair must look. I gathered it up in a ponytail holder and searched his blue eyes. “Are you okay?” I had not been a fan of the fastidious attorney, and I wasn’t sure how close he and Ashland had been, but it was upsetting no matter what. Especially since foul play was suspected.

“I’ll be fine.” He led me by the elbow to a police car. “This is Detective Simmons. She will be investigating the… she’s in charge of the investigation.” Detective Simmons looked to be in her late 40s, with bright red hair and a freckled complexion. She was tall and pale, and she looked like she knew what she was doing.

I put my hand out. “Hello, Detective. I am Carrie Jo Jardine. I’m part of the research team here.”

“Thanks for coming, Ms. Jardine.” After a quick handshake, she got down to business. “What is your connection with the folks that were here last night? I understand that the woman,” she said as she consulted her notebook, “Mia Reed, worked with you here? How long have you known her?”

“Um….yes, we went to school together. I can’t believe Mia would be involved with this, but…then again, I’ve discovered recently that I don’t really know her like I thought I did.”

“What do you mean by that, Ms. Jardine?” The detective shielded her pale green eyes from the sun that was rising, along with the heat.