Fudge-Laced Felonies Read Online Free Page B

go.” Ethan’s fork clattered against his plate.
    I glared at him before continuing. “I’m going to check the obituaries after lunch and follow up on any non-natural deaths.”
    “Non-natural?”
    “Yeah. You know, like unnatural causes. Could be one of those people is our victim.”
    “I think you need to stay out of it. There may not even be a victim.” Ethan leaned back in his chair. “This is Joe’s business. His line of work. He’ll know if something shady is going on. You should stick to making candy.”
    My eyes narrowed. Stick to making candy, indeed! I’d solve this case just to prove something to Mr. Banning, and I’d have Aunt Eunice help me. April, too. I’d show him what a few women could do.
    “Now, don’t go getting your dander up.” Uncle Roy wiped his mouth on the napkin he’d tucked into the neckline of his overalls and tossed the wadded paper onto his empty plate. “I agree with Ethan. This might be dangerous. Besides, if you’re running around the county investigating dead people, you won’t be able to make money at the candy store.”
    “And,” Aunt Eunice added. “If we don’t make money at the store, I’ll have to go back to breeding Chihuahuas or something.”
    “I thought you were on my side, Aunt Eunice.”
    “It ain’t about taking sides, sweetie.”
    “Fine.” I scooted my chair back and stood. “I’ll do it myself.” Snatching the newspaper from the counter, I stalked out the kitchen door, letting it slam behind me.
    Skimming the obituaries turned out to be a rather grisly way to spend a few minutes on a Sunday, and I didn’t find a single person who’d died a violent death. I let the paper fall to the wood floor of the porch and lazily swung my foot, sending the swing into a restful back- and-forth motion.
    Laughter floated on the breeze, coming through the screen. The warm spring sun caressed the bare skin of my legs. My eyelids grew heavy. Grabbing an old pillow, I slid sideways and cradled my head.
    The rustle of the newspaper woke me. I opened my eyes and lifted a hand to shade them. Ethan shook the paper, his eyes reading over the page I’d left out.
    “Obituaries, Summer? I thought you were kidding.” Blue eyes bored into mine.
    I sat up, shrugged, then set the swing back into motion. “It’s a good place to start.”
    “Why are you set on solving this? Isn’t the candy store going to give you enough to do?” Ethan stopped the swing long enough to join me.
    “Why did someone choose my rosebush? Whoever did got me involved.”
    Ethan laid his arm across the back of the swing. My breath hitched at his closeness. “This isn’t the same as trying to locate a missing bike.” He shifted to stare at me. “A bloody gardening glove isn’t child’s play. Let Joe handle it.”
    “Worried about me?”
    He ruffled my hair, and I scowled. “Of course. Wouldn’t want anything to happen to my Tinkerbell.” He rose and handed me the paper. “Good luck on your opening tomorrow.”
    “Thanks.” He left, and the day grew suddenly cooler without his presence. I shivered.
     
    I woke suddenly. My eyes snapped open, my heart in my throat, as I peered through the darkness of my room. What had I heard? A board creaking? The house shifting? Truly growled from the foot of my bed. I grasped the sheet in both hands and yanked it to my chin.
    There! A scrape on the stairs. I rose to a sitting position. My brave canine launched herself at me, still barking, and scurried to hide behind me.
    “Shh.” I held my breath and laid a hand on the dog’s neck. “Stay.” I slid my legs over the side of the bed then stood, trembling, ears strained.
    With slow, cautious steps, I made my way to the door and peered around the corner. The empty hallway stretched before me. The oak wood floor, darkened by the shadows, looked a country mile long and as sinister as an inner-city block.
    I craned my neck until I could spot the closed door of my aunt and uncle’s room. Another