then,” said Cappy. “Who could it be?”
Riley checked our list of suspects on the murder map. “Skip Shepard, the breakdown driver, or Scott Durdle, the drunk guy in the blue van.” She looked at me pointedly. “Do you think it could have been Robbie O’Boyle? Maybe he’s suspicious about what we’re doing, like last time.”
I shook my head. “No. It wouldn’t be Robbie. He wouldn’t have been hanging around with those hoodlums.”
“That’s true,” said Simon.
“I think we all need to be aware of our surroundings,” I said. “The situation could have been dangerous, but it wasn’t. Whoever they were, they went out of their way to get away from us.”
Badger looked skeptical. “All right. But let’s be careful. Don’t travel alone, especially Riley and Indigo.”
“Anything else to report?” asked Riley. “We’re running out of options here. At least until we get the forensics report back.”
“Well,” I said. “There is something I need help with.”
Simon shook his head.
“What?” said Badger.
“The dog. Remember the bulldog?”
He nodded.
“I want to cross him over - he followed us home one night. And you know, what with Cleo there, and the house already in chaos between Bryan and Franny, it’s not a good thing.”
“What’s happening with Bryan and Franny?” Riley asked.
“They’re fighting over the telly and Bryan’s watching scary stuff and getting scared and keeping us up all night,” said Simon. “Not to mention jumping into my bed with cold feet.”
“I thought you two looked tired,” said Badger.
“Completely knackered,” said Simon.
I nodded.
“I’m in,” said Badger.
“Not me,” said Cappy, wide-eyed. “I don’t want to meet no ghosts, thank you very much.”
“I’ve already been there,” said Simon. “Doors slamming open, weird lights flying about the place, the ghost dog barking and running around. I’m out.”
I smiled at Badger. “So? Have you changed your mind yet?”
He laughed. “No, I’ll do it. But you owe me one.”
“No problem. Thanks.”
Chapter Twelve
Good Timing
Since spirits became more active at night, Badger and I headed over to Mrs. Cuttle’s on Saturday night. We entered the same way Simon and I had a few nights before, except this time, we remembered flashlights. I meant torches.
By torchlight, we discovered the full extent of the dilapidation. A shame, really, as its former beauty was apparent.
“Wow, look at this place,” said Badger, shining his torch around the living room. It must have been grand at one time. Looks like somebody turned it over, though.” He stopped next to the rocking chair and flashed his light on the pile of newspapers. “Took all the good stuff and left the junk. Hey, look at this.” He picked up the top newspaper and blew the dust off.
Tingling ran up my spine. Badger and I exchanged looks. I took the paper from him and shined my flashlight on it. Simon and his family made front page. Our family. And the entire article featured the accident details.
“And look here,” added Badger.
He shined his torch on the pile of newspapers. All were dated the week of the accident. And every one of them about the accident that killed Aunt Amanda and Bryan; speculation about who did it, asking witnesses to come forward, pleading for any information, in addition to how well-respected the family was, and what they contributed to the community.
“This is…interesting,” I finally got out. “I wonder what it means? Why would she keep these?” I went through the pile. They were only about the Eadys, nothing else. Mrs. Cuttle’s sole interest seemed to be the accident. Why else didn’t she have other newspapers, only the ones about the accident?
Badger took the newspapers and folded them in half, stuffing them into his rucksack. “Maybe she wrote something on them. We’ll study them later.”
I nodded in the torchlight glow, totally freaked out. “All
Ridley Pearson
Lacey Weatherford
Gail McFarland
Pavarti K. Tyler
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Stephanie Burke
Elsa Holland
Beth K. Vogt
Mel Sherratt
R.L. Stine