Brutal Discoveries Read Online Free Page A

confession won’t cause me to have nightmares at some point,” I semi-joked.  Damon didn’t laugh.  He didn’t even give me a hint of a smile.  I realized instantly it was a poor way to try and break the awkward tension surrounding us.  Damon sensed the tension, too, and wisely changed the subject, asking me to tell him something about myself. 
    “For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved baking.  Creating magic from my own two hands for people to devour brings me more pride than anything I’ve ever felt in my life.  It was good my mom didn’t mind a messy kitchen and always encouraged me to be creative.  When I turned eighteen, after I graduated, I started working fulltime at the bakery where I’d spent the previous three years doing after-school and weekend work.  I’d been there a further four years when the owner passed away and the business was closed down.  I was devastated – from the loss of my boss, the loss of my job, and the loss of a place I adored.  My parents, being the supportive people they are, let me grieve and then sat me down one night and presented me with a deal.  They’d help me open my own business.  Of course, I had dreamed about it, but it never really seemed like a real possibility, so I was immediately excited to take them up on their offer.  It took six months for me to find a location that was perfect to me, and then a further two months to redecorate it to have it the way I had always imagined.  A month after that, ‘Sweet Treats’ was opened for business.  That was six years ago and it’s been nothing less than successful,” I told him proudly. “Much to their dismay, I paid my parents back every cent they had poured into the bakery, plus interest, within the first three years.”
    “They sound like good folks.”
    “They are,” I agreed honestly.
    “Visiting hours will finish in five minutes.  This is your five minute warning.  Say your goodbyes.”   The loud voice booming through the room startled me slightly and I briefly looked around before turning my attention back to Damon.
    “Well, I guess that’s my cue to go.”  I smiled softly at him.  He didn’t return it, but I didn’t expect him to.  “I’ll see you next time.”
    “See you then,” he said gruffly.
    “I’ll see about bringing in those cookies, too,” I informed him.  That got me a smile.
    “Something to look forward to,” he stated. 
    “Bye, Damon.” 
    He gave me a swift nod of his head, and then I stood and exited South Glenn Maximum Security Prison.  Before I left, I stopped by the front desk and asked about bringing some baked goods in for an inmate.  I was given the go-ahead, so despite Damon’s chilling confession playing in the back of my mind, I made a conscious decision to tuck it away and instead concentrate on creating something amazing that would show him the talent I possessed. 
    When I arrived home, I made myself a sandwich for a late lunch and decided to sit outside in the sunshine and read a magazine while I ate.  I was halfway through my food when my cell rang. I picked it up and glanced at the screen to see Ella Calling written on my display. 
    “Hey, girlfriend,” I greeted with a smile on my face.
    “Hey, babes, you back from that Hell you willingly visit?”
    I laughed even as I took another bite of my sandwich.  “I am.”
    “You feel like drinking some wine with me, or better yet, vodka?” she asked.
    “Uh-oh, that doesn’t sound good.  I’m up for anything, honey, you know that.”
    “I’ll be over soon.”
    “See you then.”  I disconnected the call and finished off my food before taking my plate inside and rinsing the crumbs off.  Before Ella arrived, I made a quick phone call to my Sunday staff at the bakery to check how the day was going, like I did every time I wasn’t able to be there.  When Macy told me the raspberry coconut jumbo cookies, that were part of that day’s special, had sold out before the lunch rush