Read Online Death of a Chocoholic by Lee Hollis - Free Book Online Page B

of lust.
    Hayley wanted the names of everyone in that car; but by the time she made it out the door to the driveway, the Accord had already backed out and was roaring off down the street.
    At that moment Mona’s beat-up white truck pulled up to Hayley’s house. Mona honked the horn. Hayley had completely forgotten she had plans to go to Randy’s bar with Mona and Liddy for a cocktail.
    Liddy rolled down the window and stuck her face out. “Next time we’re taking my Mercedes. I just scratched my butt on a spring sticking out of Mona’s upholstery.”
    â€œStop your yammering and slide over for Hayley,” Mona barked.
    â€œMona, the car you just passed, did you see who was driving?”
    â€œNo, it was too dark. Why?”
    â€œI’m probably overreacting. I’ve just been a little concerned about Gemma lately and the kids she’s been hanging around with. I hope she’s not falling in with a bad crowd.”
    â€œGemma’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’ll be fine,” Mona said.
    Mona was always so calm and reassuring.
    â€œYou’re right. I mean, how much trouble can she possibly get into at Reverend Staples’s house?” Hayley said.
    â€œIs that where she told you she was going?” Liddy asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWell, we just drove by the Staples’ house. They’re not home. All the lights were off,” Liddy said.
    â€œOh, my God! She lied!” Hayley wailed.
    Worst fears realized.
    â€œMona, follow that Accord!” Hayley said, opening the passenger-side door and trying to climb in, but Liddy pushed her back.
    â€œNo way am I sitting in the middle,” Liddy said. “I’m claustrophobic! Besides, Mona smells like chicken grease.”
    â€œI just made dinner for my kids! Give me a friggin’ break!” Mona spit out.
    They lost a few precious seconds while Liddy got out and let Hayley squeeze in between them. Then Mona hit the accelerator and the white pickup zoomed down the street in hot pursuit of the Honda.
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    By the time they reached Ellsworth, ten minutes past the Trenton Bridge, Hayley was in full panic mode.
    The Honda’s right blinker clicked on and off as it pulled into a large parking lot. Mona veered her truck in behind them and then shut off her headlights so they wouldn’t detect her tailing them.
    â€œYou think they’re doing some kind of drug deal?” Liddy asked, unable to hide her excitement to be smack in the middle of such high-stakes drama.
    â€œI know this place,” Mona said. “I bring my older kids here all the time. It’s the Beer ’n Bowl. Friday is psychedelic bowling night.”
    Hayley had heard of the Beer ’n Bowl. Bowling for the whole family. A bar area for the adults.
    â€œMaybe they’re going to rob the place!” Liddy said, smacking Hayley on the arm, proud of her new theory.
    â€œOkay, you need to take a chill pill, Liddy, and stop scaring Hayley. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation why she didn’t just tell you she was coming here,” Mona said.
    â€œWhy would she lie to me?” Hayley said, shaking her head.
    They watched as five teenagers, Gemma included, piled out of the Accord. The big lug, who was behind the wheel, pulled something out of his coat pocket and started dispensing what looked like white pills to all the kids. They popped them into their mouths as they entered the bowling alley.
    â€œThey’re getting high!” Hayley moaned, covering her face with her hands.
    Liddy opened the door and jumped out, dragging Hayley by the sleeve behind her. “Come on, we have to get her out of there before she gets caught and arrested in a drug raid!”
    As the three women entered, they were overwhelmed by neon spandex, bowling, glitter, and beer. It was like a disco circa 1978. Hayley looked around, but she didn’t immediately spot Gemma and her gang of