Read Online Skating Over the Line by Joelle Charbonneau - Free Book Online Page A

previous night. “Do you remember anyone else coming into the diner?”
    Zach’s eyes searched the ceiling again before he shook his head. “Sorry. I was up early working on Sheriff Jackson’s tractor yesterday and was a little foggy by the time I got to eat last night. Speaking of food, I haven’t gotten around to having lunch. Do you mind if we go to the diner and talk?”
    As if on cue, Zach’s stomach gave a low rumble.
    â€œI have a better idea,” I said. I sprinted out to my car, leaving Zach gaping after me. Snagging the still-warm Styrofoam container of meat loaf, I trotted back to the garage. With a flip of the lid, I asked, “Would this do?”
    The man looked as if he was going to cry. Mabel’s meat loaf was known to have that effect. Zach reached for the food with his greasy hands, and I pulled the container back.
    â€œWash first,” I said. “Then you eat.”
    Zach didn’t argue. He bolted for the nearest sink and returned in a hurry with his face and hands scrubbed.
    While Zach shoveled meat loaf into his mouth, I asked, “So how hard is it to boost a car?”
    Zach considered the question while scooping up some mashed potatoes. “Hot-wiring a car can be tricky nowadays. Most new cars have computers and protective systems built in. Stealing a car used to be easy when we were kids. With all the new technology, boosting a car today takes a lot more skill.”
    I thought about that as he chewed. “So stealing older cars like Jimmy’s VW and my father’s Skyhawk would be easier than lifting one of the cars in your parking lot.”
    He nodded.
    Okay, the thing about old cars sort of made sense to me now. But why torch the car after you’d boosted it? Didn’t that defeat the purpose?
    I was about ready to leave, when I had another thought. “Hey, did you overhear my father talking about anything last night?”
    Zach’s shoulders tensed. “Hard to miss. No offense, but your dad is loud.”
    â€œHe likes the sound of his own voice,” I explained. Or at least he used to. I wasn’t exactly an expert on the subject.
    â€œThat was the impression I got. He was busy talking to the bingo ladies about his really successful business. When the firemen came in, your dad looked annoyed that he’d lost center stage. Then he got even louder, telling everyone how he needed to get a new car, only he never had time to shop for one. Too busy being successful, I guess.”
    I shook my head. “That it?”
    â€œNope.” Zach grinned over his fork. “After someone mentioned the car on fire had been stolen, your father said he wished the thief would come and take his car. Then he’d be forced to get a new one. I guess he got his wish.”
    Huh. “I guess he did.”
    *   *   *
    I left Zach to devour the rest of the meat-loaf special and steered my car toward town and Agnes Piraino’s house. Agnes lived in a residential section of Indian Falls located three blocks from the bustle—such as it was—of downtown. I parked the car and stepped onto the porch. Four cats eyed me from their patches of sunlight. One large yellow longhaired cat got up and sauntered toward me. I leaned down and gave the cat a scratch.
    â€œHow are you doing, Precious?” I asked. The cat nuzzled my hand.
    I took that as a good sign. Precious took large doses of antipsychotic meds. When the meds were taken away, Precious was kind of like a werewolf—and not the wise Harry Potter teacher kind. Precious has been known to hiss, growl, scratch, and sink her pointy teeth into an outstretched hand. Right now, Precious was flopped at my feet, with all four paws pointing to the sky. In the right situation, drugs can be a very good thing.
    â€œRebecca, dear. It’s so good to see you.” The diminutive Agnes Piraino appeared behind the screen door. With her immaculately permed