Read Online Shadows from the Grave by T. L. Haddix - Free Book Online Page B

have found too close, but somehow they made it work.
    “Where’s the kid?” Chase asked, referring to Joely. He followed Annie into the guesthouse.
    Annie gave a spurt of laughter. “You know she’s twenty years old, right?” Annie asked with a smile. “She really isn’t a kid anymore, Chase. You have to get used to the idea sometime.”
    Chase returned her smile with a sheepish grin and a shrug. “I know, but she’s my kid sister, Annie. I’m a typical big brother—I’m not ready for her to grow up. So she’ll probably always be a kid to me.” He set the pizzas down on the counter and tossed the file onto the small table in the eat-in kitchen.
    Annie just raised an eyebrow and shook her head. She turned on the oven and unbagged the salads Chase had brought with the pizzas. “If she hears you say that, I hope she doesn’t have the same right hook Beth does,” she said. “And to answer your question, she’s spending the night at Beth and Ethan’s.”
    “You all had a good day, then?” he asked, leaning against the counter to watch her move around the kitchen.
    “Pretty good. I finished getting what I need for day-to-day living.” She kept her voice deceptively casual as she unwrapped one of the pizzas. “So what’s going on that has you so upset?”
    Chase paused in the unwrapping of the second pizza. “What do you mean? Nothing’s going on.”
    One hand on her hip, Annie turned toward him. Her expression was incredulous. “Chase Hudson. I’m not some ditzy bimbo who can’t put two and two together. You called me and left a message, sounding frantic. Then you called Beth, and whatever you said to Ethan, he went on high alert.” Chase frowned, and she waved her hand. “Oh, not like that. He just got—hyper vigilant, I guess. He kept it pretty casual, but it was obvious something was up. So what gives?”
    As Chase started to answer, they heard Richard and Jackie heading across from the main house. “I’ll tell you later,” he said. “I’d rather not get into it in front of Mom and Dad.”
    “Okay,” she said, “but you don’t leave here without telling me what’s going on, understand?”
    “Cross my heart,” Chase promised as he went to open the door for his parents.
    At Annie’s request, they got the paperwork for the lease out of the way first, and then sat down to eat. As the meal progressed, talk quickly turned to Chase’s parents’ upcoming vacation. They were scheduled to leave the next morning for a cruise of Europe and the Mediterranean.
    “I’m glad you’re still going,” Chase told them after Richard expressed concern about missing so much work on top of his father’s funeral. “This will be the first real vacation the two of you have had without one or all of us kids along for the ride in over thirty years.” He was surprised to see his mother blush at his words.
    Richard sent Jackie a warm look. “We’re looking on it as a second honeymoon,” he said. “And yes, as much as we love you kids, we’re looking forward to some time alone. It’s been a tough year, and it’s time for a break.”
    “You’re riding down to Louisville with Joely?” Annie asked.
    Jackie nodded. “It made the most sense,” she said. “She goes back to school next week, and the drive will give us a chance to spend some one-on-one time with her. We’re spending the night in Louisville tomorrow, then flying out very early that next morning. Now, how we’ll get home from Louisville in a few weeks, I’m not sure.” She smiled at Chase’s exasperated look and winked at Annie.
    “Mom, we’ve told you—” he started.
    Jackie cut him off with a laugh. “Chase, that was too easy. I’m joking.” She was fully aware that Beth and Ethan were planning on driving down to pick them up. “Just don’t forget to check in on Daddy while we’re gone.”
    “Especially on the weekends. I know,” Chase said. “Though Pops has been so busy lately with his lady friend, I doubt he’ll