Read Online Something Suspicious in Sask by Dayle Gaetz - Free Book Online Page B

ball!”
    Her smile vanished. “But Megan never wants to do anything anymore. And she’s been tons worse since Cliff fired Scott.”
    â€œI thought Aunt Margaret fired him.”
    â€œHuh? No, it was Cliff.”
    â€œBut, why?”
    â€œScott was staying here to help with seeding, and he slept in the spare room in Cliff’s suite. They were real busy, so Megan was supposed to, like, take care of the housekeeping in their rooms? But she got too busy with exams. Anyway, her mom went in to clean one day and found something in Scott’s room.”
    â€œWhat was it?”
    â€œA necklace. She didn’t even know it was, like, missing? It used to belong to Megan’s grandma—her dad’s mother? Anyway, before she died Grandma Piercy gave the necklace to Megan’s mom.”
    â€œSo, is it, like, valuable or what?” Katie was vaguely aware that like had slipped into her sentence. Seemed like like was catchy.
    â€œI guess so. It’s old anyway. I think it’s, like, a family heirloom or something? From England. Anyway, Megan’s mom kept it in her jewelry box in her bedroom, but she never wore it. She doesn’t like, uh, jewelry.”
    â€œBut, why would Scott take it?”
    â€œI wouldn’t have believed it a few months back, but who knows? It’s totally weird how everyone around here has changed lately. Megan sure did. And Scott’s so desperate to save money for college, maybe he planned on selling the necklace to make a bundle.”
    â€œThen, why would he leave it in his room? You’d think he’d be smart enough to figure out Aunt Margaret would find it.”
    Emily shrugged. “Haven’t a clue. Maybe he felt guilty about taking it in the first place. I mean, he really likes Megan, and her mom’s always been real good to him. She even gave him a job to help him make some money.” She sipped her tea and thought for a minute. “So, yeah, maybe that’s it. Maybe he couldn’t go through with it but, like, got caught before he could return the necklace.”
    â€œBut Megan still sees Scott?”
    â€œYeah, sometimes, when she can get away from here.”
    â€œWhy can’t she get away?”
    Emily frowned and stared out through the window screen. Katie was sure she’d had enough and wouldn’t answer any more questions, but Emily surprised her. Maybe she was happy to share her worries. Still gazing outside, Emily said, “Megan’s mom won’t let her see Scott and she keeps a close eye on everything Megs does, ’cause she thinks Megan might, like, sneak off.”
    Emily gulped her tea and lowered the mug to her knee, still holding it in both hands. “Then there’s Cliff.
    That guy watches over Megs too, like he’s her big brother or something? It drives her nuts! Tonight, when I caught him alone in the kitchen, I told him to back off. He got real mad. He thinks I’m, like, a freak.”
    â€œSo that’s what you were arguing about when we got back?”
    Emily nodded.
    Katie couldn’t stand it any longer. She opened her notebook and started to write.
    Emily twisted her head to see. “What are you, some kind of spy?”
    â€œNo.” Katie shook her head without looking up.
    â€œA detective. And a good one too. Ask Rusty.”
    Emily turned to Rusty.
    Rusty looked up from his drawing and pulled a face. “I have to admit, she’s not bad.” He grinned.
    â€œAnd you gotta admire her modesty.”
    Emily’s eyes shifted back to Katie. “I don’t know what you’re detecting but if you can help Megan, count on me to help. Can you believe I had to whisper a message to her tonight? Scott wanted to meet her but he was scared to call her cell phone because her mom keeps track of the calls when she gets the bill.”
    Katie smiled as she made a note. She felt good.
    Emily was the first person over twelve ever to take her