Read Online Signs of Love: Stupid Cupid by Melody James - Free Book Online Page A

try and focus. Why am I acting so dumb? I need to speed up or I’m always going to be three strokes behind his thought-wave.
    Will glances at the door and lowers his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ‘There’s a rumour that the owner, Dave Wiggins, is using it as a front for some seriously dodgy dealing.
And we’re going to find out what’s really going on.’

‘ Dodgy? ’ I twitch like a corpse taking a zillion volts. ‘How do you know?’ This could be a real story, not just some pull-out section on
homework techniques or lunch-room etiquette.
    Will scratches his nose. ‘I’ve got a source,’ he says meaningfully. ‘He used to work at Sounds.’
    ‘But he doesn’t he work there any more?’ My brain’s fully engaged now.
    ‘He got fired.’
    ‘Can you trust him?’ I ask. ‘He might have a grudge against the person who fired him.’
    ‘That’s possible,’ Will concedes. ‘That’s why we need to get in there and find evidence.’
    He said we ! ‘Evidence of what?’
    ‘My source claims he’s heard Wiggins making phone calls to some pretty crooked business associates. Guys who’ve done time.’
    ‘In prison?’
    ‘No.’ Will snorts. ‘Disney World.’
    His snarky comment bounces off me. I’m too busy thinking. ‘Is that all we have? A disgruntled employee who claims he heard Wiggins phone an ex-con.’ I sit on the desk opposite
Will’s. ‘Is that enough?’
    ‘There’ve been weird deliveries,’ Will goes on. ‘After hours. It’s enough to get my nose twitching. Sounds is launching these underage nights, which every teenager
in town wants to go to. If there’s something criminal going on there, the public should know.’
    ‘So what do you want me to do?’ I reach for my bag and slide out a jotter, ready to take notes.
    ‘You’ll be at Sounds this Friday,’ Will tells me. ‘I want you to get Sam to take you backstage.’
    ‘Why don’t you get Sam to take you backstage?’
    ‘I couldn’t get tickets,’ Will says bluntly. ‘I’ve been looking for a way in.’
    ‘And I’m it.’
    ‘You’re it.’ Will’s the parrot now.
    Disappointment drops like a stone into my stomach. That’s why he suddenly wants me on the story. Because Sam gave me a ticket. I resist the urge to tell him to do his own dirty work. This
is my chance. So what if Will is just using me as a spy because he’s got no other option? If I can uncover something at the gig, he’ll have to start taking me seriously.
    Will goes on. ‘Just get Sam to take you backstage and have a look around. Make a note of anything suspicious.’
    ‘Why would Sam take me backstage?’
    ‘He gave you the ticket, didn’t he?’
    ‘Only because it was spare,’ I argue. ‘I’m not his special guest or anything.’
    Will stands up. ‘Then give it to me and I’ll ask Sam to show me backstage.’
    I narrow my eyes. There’s no way I’m letting Will snatch this chance. ‘No, I’ll do it.’
    ‘Good.’ Will reaches for his backpack and pulls out a scrap of paper. ‘I want you to see if you can find Wiggins’ office. Keep your ears open. If you see him, watch him.
And if anything seems out of place, make a note.’
    I wonder how I’m meant to know what’s in place or out of place. The only backstage I’ve ever seen was a church hall when I was eight and starring as Fairy Number Three in Miss
Duvall’s ballet troupe.
    I’m going to have to trust my instinct and hope Sam doesn’t mind a nosey Year Nine trailing after him. He’ll understand when the story comes out. If it comes out. Right
now it’s just gossip.
    Will’s scribbling on his scrap of paper. He hands it to me. ‘Here’s my number. Text me yours and phone me if you need to.’
    There’s a loud cough from the doorway. We both turn and see Sam standing there. ‘I forgot my plectrum,’ he mutters, going over to the desk.
    I stare down at the phone number, fingers trembling. Behind me, the door slams shut. Sam’s left and Will ducks out