Taste (Ava Delaney #5) Read Online Free Page A

and the tension fled from his voice. “I don’t mean to lecture. But it’s frustrating when I point out things that don’t make any obvious sense, and everyone around me refuses to acknowledge it. Especially after a little lady like you comes along and fills my head with questions.”
    “Never been accused of being a lady before. Are you okay?”
    He sighed. “I’m in some trouble with the seniors. Orders from above. Possible suspension.”
    “For asking questions?”
    “For refusing to accept no for an answer. I need to know what’s going on, Ava.”
    “You really don’t,” I said softly. “But maybe keep yourself out of trouble. Dangerous people pull the strings around here.”
    “Ava—”
    “I have to go. I’m sorry, Shay.” I hung up before he could protest.
    I felt terrible for him. I had dragged him into this, revealed half-truths, and refused to let him know anything else. Now he was in trouble for it. I had no idea how to make his problems go away without dirtying his life with the kind of drama I constantly had in my own. I didn’t want another Carl on my hands.
    But even Shay’s phone call couldn’t disturb the contentment I felt. Peter would be okay. That was important, like a sign from the universe telling me that anything was possible, that we could all find our own little pieces of normality and happiness.
    I was still in a good mood by the time I got close to Folsom’s place. I was swinging my shopping bags and looking forward to seeing Esther’s face when she saw some of the treats I had brought specifically for her.
    Then the smell hit me, and I wanted to throw up. I stopped walking, my brain catching up to my nose as I realised the truth.
    Death.
    My stomach in my mouth, I ran toward Folsom’s home. A million fears ran through my head.
    There he was. My feet froze to the spot as I covered my mouth in horror. I was too late. Approaching the gate slowly, I gazed up at the small figure strung up against the bars, his body hideously twisted and broken.
    Folsom.Dead. Covered in dried blood.
    I retched, unable to stop myself. The goblin had been a good person, risking himself to protect those who needed help, and his life had been ripped away.
    I pulled out my phone and rang Gabe.
    “Who did it?” I practically screamed at him.
    “What?” He sounded completely confused, and I felt a faint sense of relief.
    “Folsom! Who did it?”
    “The goblin you’ve been visiting? What about him? Ava, what’s happened?”
    The concern in his voice broke me. “They killed him,” I whispered, an aching in my throat making it impossible to raise my voice. “Someone murdered him.”
    “Ava, look around you. Is anyone there? Be aware. I know you’re upset, but this could be about you.”
    “No, it’s not… nobody’s close by. He’s been here a while. You really think this is about me?”
    “Of course. You haven’t been making friends, Ava.”
    My stomach somersaulted. “I… Peter and Emmett are out today. They’re going to the cinema.”
    “Which one?”
    I told him, and he tutted.
    “I’ll call the Guardians,” he said, “and warn them to keep a close eye on both of them. Carl and your grandmother, too. That policeman you suddenly seem to be fond of, also.” He hung up.
    I rang Peter, but he didn’t answer, so I texted him, tears standing in my eyes.
    Of everything I had seen, everything that had happened, Folsom’s death was getting to me the most. Maybe it was because his body was so small, maybe because I knew that his swollen, gnarled fingers couldn’t have done much to defend himself, or maybe because he was an innocent soul only trying to do the right thing. Why couldn’t they have left him alone? Whoever they were.
    My fingers shook so much I could barely type out a readable sentence on my phone. I attempted to text Shay, too, to warn him without revealing too much, but I had no idea if he would pay any attention.
    Next, I rang Carl.
    “They killed Folsom,” I