The Secret (Seacliff High Mystery Book 1) Read Online Free

do something on Friday night, though.”
    “You just moved here and you already need to clean out your attic?” Trevor dipped one of his big, greasy onion rings in a mound of ketchup.
    “Actually, we bought a bit of a fixer-upper and the previous owner left all of his personal stuff behind. It’s mostly junk, but the attic is packed floor to ceiling.”
    “Why’d the previous owner leave his stuff when he moved?” Chelsea asked.
    “He didn’t move. He died.” Alyson took a bite of her apple.
    “You didn’t buy the old Cutter place, did you?” Trevor wiped a dollop of ketchup from his chin.
    “Yeah, that’s the one.”
    “Man, that place is a dump.” Trevor took a huge bite of his hamburger, chewed twice, and then swallowed. “It’s been empty since old man Cutter died, and it was pretty run-down before that.”
    “Besides, it’s haunted.” Chelsea shivered at the prospect. “Who’d want to live there?”
    “Actually,” Alyson defended her new home, “I think it’s quite charming. In an old, run-down sort of way.” She took a final bite of her apple, then wrapped the core in her napkin. Sitting on her hands, she crossed the first two fingers of both hands. “It may be a little rough, but I’ve lived there three weeks and I haven’t seen any signs of other-worldly residents, so I don’t think it’s haunted.” The last thing she wanted to do at this point was announce to her new friends that she’d been seeing ghosts. “It just needs a little work. A little elbow grease and it’ll be good as new.”
    “I hear the place used to be quite spectacular in its heyday,” Mac joined in. Taking a huge bite of her own greasy, ketchup-dripping hamburger, she chewed loudly, swallowed, and then continued her story. “It was originally built in 1845 by the town’s founder, Jedediah Cutter. It used to be filled to the brim with antique furniture and elaborate artwork. Quite the showplace. Do you think any of that stuff could be up in the attic?”
    “I have no idea,” Alyson responded. “I guess we’ll find out this weekend.”
    “I’m game for helping out with the cleaning.” Mac’s face lit up. “I’d love to get a peek at the inside of the place. I’ve always been sort of curious. Besides, who knows what goodies you might uncover? It’ll be like a treasure hunt.”
    “Sure, the more the merrier.”
    “I’m in too,” Trevor added. “I have football practice in the morning, but I could be there about noon. I was planning on going surfing with some of the guys from the team, but getting a look inside that old house is an opportunity I can’t pass up.”
    “Well, I for one do not plan to spend my weekend wallowing around in a dusty attic.” Chelsea stood up from the table and gathered her books. “Anyway, I’m going to Portland to shop for a new dress for the dance. But I’m totally up for the Cannery on Friday night. I hear Obsession is playing.”
    “Wow, they’re really good,” Mac agreed. “I heard their lead guitar player is in rehab, so they recruited some new guy from LA. He’s supposed to be quite the babe.”
    “I wouldn’t get too excited. From what I hear, this guy’s just slightly more than totally out of your league.” Chelsea put her foot on the chair she’d just vacated and smoothed the roll of her already perfectly rolled socks. She repeated the action with her other foot, then reached into her backpack for a mirror and lipstick.
    “I didn’t say I wanted to wrap him up and take him home,” Mac shot back, “I just wanted to check him out. Besides, I’m not the one who’s famous for shopping out of her league.” Mac glanced toward Trevor.
    “Well, I’ll have you know—” Chelsea began
    “So,” Alyson interrupted, “how’d the house get so run-down anyway?” 
    “Barkley Cutter was a real recluse,” Trevor answered, grateful for the timely interruption. “Story is, he never left the house for any reason. Someone in town delivered groceries