Rylee Jenkins sat cross-legged on the black leather couch in her house, waiting impatiently for the phone to ring. Tyler James, her detective boyfriend is supposed to call her when the tests are complete on six of her party guests that were rushed to Mercy Hospital just after midnight. It was now two a.m., and she was beginning to get a little nervous of the outcome.

As she sat leering at the phone, willing it to ring, Rylee bit off the last of her fingernails in anticipation. Cuddling a pillow, she sent up a silent prayer asking that everyone be okay. This incident was not going to do a lot for her hosting skills, of that she was certain. What she wasn't certain of was what the heck had happened.

The night had started out great as a bunch of friends, online and off, had gotten together for a small holiday celebration a week before Christmas was much to hectic for throwing a party, so Rylee had decided to do it this week instead. Most of the invites had shown up; bringing the total to 25 people in her two bedroom ranch. Everything had been wonderful, the food was great, gifts were piled under the tree for the gift exchange, Christmas music filled the air, and everyone had gotten along like they were old friends instead of almost strangers.

With the idle chatter happening throughout the house, Rylee had barely heard the front doorbell ring. Thinking that it might have been a late comer to the party or Tyler, she answered the door quickly, not wanting to leave her guests for very long. Instead of anyone being at the door, the only thing she found was a basket holding a loaf of fruitcake, wrapped in a bow. She peeked outside in to see if anyone was there so she could thank them, but whoever delivered it was gone now. Shrugging, she bent to pick it up and read the card attached that just said to have a good party and Merry Christmas. Rylee closed the door and put the cake on the table with the rest of the food, then went back to join the party.

Somewhere between the time she put the fruitcake on the table and midnight, six of her guests had taken ill and had to be rushed to the hospital for possible food poisoning, which stopped the party early in the night. Now, Rylee sat staring at the phone intently, waiting.

A moment later, it rang, startling Rylee enough to make her jump, she answered it on the first ring.

“Hello?” She said anxiously into the mouthpiece, fingers crossed for luck.

“Rylee it's me, sorry it took so long, this place is a madhouse tonight.” Tyler's deep, baritone voice answered.

“So? What's happening? Is everyone okay? I can't believe this happened.” Rylee knew she was rambling but didn't care and didn't take a breath until she was done.

“First, calm down and listen to me. Yes, everyone is going to be fine, with no side effects except maybe a headache, nothing life threatening. Second, the fruitcake was laced with a rat poison.”

“What? Someone laced the fruitcake with rat poison? Oh my gosh, why? No, don't answer that, obviously someone has it in for me. If I'd have eaten that whole cake, I would be dead.” Rylee responded as the whole thing sunk in. Someone was trying to kill her. For the life of her, she didn't know who and that was a big problem.

“Yeah, it appears that somebody out there wants you dead, or really sick. Thank goodness you despise fruitcake, or this conversation wouldn't be happening. Lock the door, and don't answer it until I get there. I'm finished up with the paperwork here and I'm going to head over so we can try figuring out who is responsible. I can't risk losing you Rylee, not now. Wait up for me, I'll be there soon.” Tyler said before hanging up.

Placing the receiver back on the cradle, Rylee sat in shock at all that Tyler had said. The wheels started to turn in her mind as she tried to imagine who would want to do her any harm. In all honesty, she had no clue.

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