Life's a Witch by Amanda M. Lee Page A

Tillie says that he’s working undercover to bust us all,” Charlie added, clapping his hands over his mouth when he realized what he said. He had a lot in common with his father, including the inability to control what came out of his mouth.
    “Aunt Tillie lies,” I said. “You guys should know that. Didn’t she tell all the girls in your school that you were only after their virtue?”
    “That wasn’t a lie,” Dakota said. “We are horny beasts.”
    I narrowed my eyes. I was really starting to dislike him. “I’ll tell Aunt Tillie you didn’t help me. Is that what you want?” Aunt Tillie’s reputation was a double-edged sword. I was hoping to use the pointy end on Dakota.
    “Fine,” Dakota huffed. “Hollow Creek is still the party place in the summer. You’re too old, but I’m sure you might get some takers if you sniff around and everyone is really drunk.”
    “I’d take her,” one of the other boys offered.
    “The FBI dude carries a gun,” Charlie said. “He’ll shoot your thing off if you’re not careful. That’s what Ms. Tillie says.”
    “Don’t worry about the FBI dude,” I said. “I only want to know what’s going on at Hollow Creek. Do you guys go up there every weekend?”
    “Pretty much,” Dakota said. “Now we can’t because we know you’re going to send your boyfriend out there to arrest us, though.”
    “Landon doesn’t care that you guys are drinking along the creek bank,” I said. “That’s outside the purview of the FBI.”
    “Not when he’s ‘The Man,’” Charlie whispered to another boy.
    “When was the last time you guys saw Nathaniel Jamison?” I asked, tamping down the urge to smack Charlie.
    Dakota’s eyebrows flew up. “Nathaniel? Is that why you’re here? That dude is trouble.”
    “How so?”
    Dakota shrugged. “He’s turned into a real tool. He’s always talking about being underappreciated. He’s also been looking for ways to make money, and keeps calling us high school babies.”
    “If you’re high school babies, why does he hang around with you?”
    Dakota shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him.”
    “When was the last time you saw him?”
    Dakota’s gaze bounced between the boys. “I think it’s been a few days,” he said, dribbling the basketball. “It might even be a week. I’m not sure.”
    “Have you been down to Hollow Creek during that time?”
    “We usually go Fridays and Saturdays,” Dakota replied. “But now that ‘The Man’ will be staking the place out we’ll have to find a different spot.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Okay. Thanks.” I turned to leave and then stilled. “One more thing,” I said, swiveling back to face the boys. “What else does Aunt Tillie tell you guys about Landon?”
    “She said he can’t control the gun in his pants or his hand,” Charlie answered, ignoring the groans from the other boys. “She also says he’s ‘The Man’ and ‘The Man’ is going to bring us all down if we’re not careful.”
    “Thanks, Charlie,” I said. “I’m glad to see you inherited your lack of filter from your father.”
    “Mom also says I have his tendency to be a jackass, and I’ll make some woman miserable one day.”
    I can see that.
     

Ten
    “Hey, sweetie,” Landon said, dropping a kiss on my forehead before sitting next to me at the diner table. I’d been nursing an iced tea for a half hour waiting for his arrival.
    “Hi, sweetie,” Chief Terry mocked, kissing my forehead for good measure before sitting on the other side of me.
    Landon scowled. “Keep it up,” he said. “It’s not going to be funny when I pound you.”
    Chief Terry didn’t look worried. “Don’t make me laugh.”
    “How did things go?” I asked, sipping my iced tea.
    “It’s Nathaniel,” Landon replied. “He’s been missing for days. His mother wasn’t sure he was actually missing because he’s been all over the place and spending nights with old buddies since he got back to town. He never apprised her of