Read Online Till the Break of Dawn by Tracey H. Kitts - Free Book Online Page B

still wet and as I turned to take up the eggs I tossed my long braid over one shoulder. Jamie gave me an appraising look.
    “Yep, you look too well organized for just having had a sleepover. Makeup all done, faded jeans and a cute little t-shirt. I should have noticed.” She took another piece of bacon. “By the way, yellow looks good on you.”
    While I got out some plates she said, “That’s terrible about Jesse’s father. Didn’t you say they didn’t get along?”
    “Yeah. Kind of like me and my mom, except worse I think.”
    Jamie got out the orange juice and sat it in the middle of the table. “Well crap.”
    “You were hoping for fresh squeezed?” I drawled.
    “No, I wanted to show him the menu before taking it over to Mandy.”
    I raised an eyebrow. “Really? He has only been around for a few weeks and you think you have to have his opinion on the menu before taking it to the bride-to-be?”
    “Yeah,” she said. “Duh. He cooks like a motherfucker.”
    I laughed at her choice of words. My thoughts exactly.

Chapter Eight
     
    When Mandy didn’t answer the door after a couple of minutes we thought she must be busy. So, Jamie and I sat on the front porch swing and decided to relax. After about five minutes Mandy’s brother Bill came pulling into the yard. His old pick-up truck was going so fast he almost hit the bushes before coming to a stop.
    Bill looked just like Mandy. Same tall, slender build and same light blond hair. He got out of the truck and rushed up the steps.
    “Whoa, Bill. What’s the hurry?” I asked.
    “Have you guys seen Mandy? She’s not answering the home phone and I can’t get her on her cell.”
    “Maybe she’s taking a nap,” I suggested.
    He seemed really worried. I reached to take his hand, but realized he was still covered in grease. He and his dad owned a mechanic shop in town. He must have come straight from work. I placed my hand on his arm instead and gave what I hoped was a reassuring pat.
    “I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve been trying to reach her for the past two hours.”
    I knew that Mandy was staying with her brother while she was in town. The fact that he was so anxious about her not answering the phone was strange to me.
    “Didn’t you see her this morning?” I asked.
    He blushed as he dug a key out of his pants. “I spent the night at Maggie’s.”
    Jamie’s mouth fell open. “You and Maggie? I never would have guessed that.”
    “Doesn’t your dad stop by here before work too? I heard Mandy say before that you always ride together.”
    He turned the key and pushed the door open as he answered, “Dad is in Panama City visiting his sister for a couple of days.”
    “Oh.”
    Bill ran a hand through his hair, smearing grease across his forehead. “I’ve just got this awful feeling. I know it sounds stupid, but if I could just see her.” He searched the house frantically as he spoke and I walked fast to keep up with his long legs. When each room gave no trace of Mandy, I started to become worried myself. Her car was in the driveway. She had to be here.
    When we entered the laundry room I screamed and fell backward into Bill. My mind raced, trying so hard to reconcile what I’d just seen.
    Bill pushed me gently behind him, trying to shield me from what was already burned into my mind.
    “Jesus Christ.”
    Mandy was lying in the floor wearing a blue bathrobe, her hair spilled out around her like a golden curtain. She almost looked like an angel. The illusion was ruined by the fact that her throat was torn open. Jamie made a gagging noise and stepped out the back door.
    Bill knelt down beside Mandy and checked her pulse, but I knew it was already too late. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. My heart was beating so hard my chest hurt and I couldn’t breathe. I backed out of the room and pulled out my cell phone.
    I could hear Jamie talking, but had no idea what she was saying. I’m not even sure what I said to the