You’re Invited Too by Jen Malone and Gail Nall Page B

murder mystery you gals done up. First murder ever recorded at Sandpiper Beach, proud to say. And a fake one, at that. Molly had herself a right good time.”
    I nod, and out of the corner of my eye I see Lauren do the same. When he doesn’t say anything next, I decide he must want more from us.
    â€œWe’re doing a wedding now, sir. And, um, the bride, well, she insisted we meet with her tonight about something. It’s really important.”
    â€œThing is, girls, I wonder if y’all know the laws regarding operating vehicles on the road at night without any headlights.”
    I gulp, and Lauren makes this tiny squeaking noise in her throat. “No, sir,” I answer. “But, um, it’s just a golf cart, not really a vehicle.”
    Lauren sinks into her seat. I know she’s wishing I would just be quiet already, and I want to. I do. But I’m so freaked out, my mouth doesn’t seem connected to my brain.
    â€œGot four wheels and an engine, don’t it?” Officer Davis asks. “Makes it a vehicle in my book. And Judge Athens’s book too, I might add.”
    Another noise from Lauren, and I reach over to grab her hand. My palms are so sweaty I doubt it helps calm her down, though.
    â€œThis your daddy’s vehicle , Lauren?”
    Lauren nods, completely silent.
    â€œHe can pick it up first thing in the morning, if he wants. Should be fine here till then. I need you to pull it on over to the side, please. Then I’m afraid I’m goin’ have to ask you to step out of the vehicle and hop into the backseat of my cruiser.”
    In the backseat of his police car? Like, where criminals sit? Omigosh, are we getting arrested?
    Lauren drives into the sandy grass on the shoulder and flips the switch to power down the golf cart. When she gets out, her legs look all wobbly. I slide across the bench and step out next to her. My legs hold, but my stomach is feeling super twisty as I follow Lauren to Officer Davis’s car. There’s an acid taste in my mouth, and I’m worried I might throw up.
    The policeman holds open the back door, and I duck my head and step in behind Lauren. Metal bars separate the front seat from the back. Officer Davis gets into the driver’s seat and turns off the flashing lights. Having the red-and-blue lights go away makes me feel a tiny bit better, but I still don’t know what’s gonna happen now. Is he taking us to jail ?
    In the dark Lauren finds my hand and squeezes. Hard. When I peer at her face, her eyes are wide and round, and I can see she’s just as freaked out as I am. My poor friend who never even jaywalks is sitting in the back of a police car, all because of me and my stupid jumping-whenever-Alexandra-Worthington-commands. I have to get us out of this.
    â€œUm, sir,” I ask, and I can’t even believe how shaky my voice sounds, “are we under arrest?”
    My shoulders drop in relief when he laughs.
    â€œArrest? For driving without headlights in a golf cart? Shoot, no. I couldn’t just leave you there in the dark. Don’t know why you’d know this, but our crime rate is only 1.03 percent here on Sandpiper Beach. Even so, still never pays to take any chances. I’ll run you by the station and Officer Rodriguez’ll ring up your parents to come fetch you.”
    Our parents. I guess I knew this wouldn’t end without them finding out about it, but hearing Officer Davis say it makes it feel so much more real. My mom is going to kill me. Lauren’s mom is going to extra kill her. Not only is she driving the golf cart at night, but she had me in there with her, which is a huge no-no and Lauren knows it. And we’ll probably get Becca in trouble, since we didn’t tell her mom that we were leaving.
    I let my head fall back against the seat as we creep toward the station. Next to me Lauren is quiet, but her hand is squeezing mine tighter than ever, and I’m betting