Read Online WHO KILLED EMMALINE? by Dani Matthews - Free Book Online
Authors: Dani Matthews
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acknowledged sooner or later. You’ve heard the rumors?”
I nod.
“Our store is more popular than ever, because people get a thrill coming here, shopping in a store owned by supposed killers. Death excites some people, and in all honesty, we made a shitload of extra sales last year right after everything went down. As for employees, we only get applications from the types that are looking for a thrill, but don’t really take the job seriously and end up getting themselves fired. We can’t seem to hold onto anyone decent.” His eyes hold mine. “So there you go. Still feel like working here?” he asks bluntly.
I steadily stare back at him. “Why did you hire me?”
His lip tilts upward in one corner, and I can tell that he hadn’t been expecting me to come back with a question of my own. “When you couldn’t remember your address and explained you’d just moved from Indiana, I figured you were a safe bet to hire since you didn’t know about what happened last year. I then hoped all the talk and rumors wouldn’t scare you off.”
“My mom’s not happy I’m working here,” I confess, deciding to be upfront as well. I actually kind of like him so far.
Dane winces. “So you’re quitting?”
“Nope.”
He cocks his head, looking curious. “Why not?”
“Because I’m at odds with my mom. That, and I need a job and want to stay busy,” I add.
This news has Dane grinning at me. “I think I’m going to like you. Now, are you going to take advantage of the discount?” he asks, switching the topic.
I nod.
“Do you want me to take it out of your first paycheck?”
“I brought money.”
* * *
When I arrive home after my shift, I find the porch light on and my mom sitting in one of the wicker chairs. The last thing I want is another confrontation after a long day of school and an evening of training at my new job, but I know this is one that I can’t avoid. Judging by her set expression, she’s not letting me in the house until we talk.
I walk up the stairs and set my shopping bags down beside the closest chair, then I slump down into it. “Mom,” I greet.
“What’s in the bags?”
“Clothes from the store. It’s preferred that I wear their merchandise when I’m working. Look, it’s not as bad as you’re thinking. Dane himself brought up the rumors and what happened last year. He’s been nothing but upfront and kind,” I explain.
“That doesn’t mean he’s innocent,” she points out as she sets aside her coffee mug.
“Just because he was a suspect doesn’t mean he’s guilty, either. Can’t we just agree to disagree on this one? I promise that if I notice anything weird, or if I start fearing for my safety, I’ll quit immediately.”
My mom is quiet a moment as she studies me. “I’ve always tried to let you make your own decisions, because that’s the best way for you to learn. But fearing for your safety is a whole other story, Krista. I can’t ignore the rumors or brush them off like you’re evidently doing.”
“I get that, but you also have to realize that I’ll be eighteen soon. I’m old enough to be deciding for myself what’s best. I’m not stupid, you know. If I think there’s any chance he could be guilty, I’m out of there.”
She’s silent as she gazes at me, and I can see emotions flickering over her face as she debates on whether to push the topic further or not. “Okay, I’ll let it go for now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be approaching the topic again at a later date,” she relents.
“That sounds fair,” I agree.
“There’s more that I wanted to talk to you about.” Her eyes soften. “Hon, as much as I understand your need to share how you’re feeling, you need to work on your attitude. It’s straining my relationship with Mitch. He’s already concerned about you and Riley not getting along, and now things are tense in the house. It’s stressing not only him out but me, too. We knew going into this that we weren’t
I nod.
“Our store is more popular than ever, because people get a thrill coming here, shopping in a store owned by supposed killers. Death excites some people, and in all honesty, we made a shitload of extra sales last year right after everything went down. As for employees, we only get applications from the types that are looking for a thrill, but don’t really take the job seriously and end up getting themselves fired. We can’t seem to hold onto anyone decent.” His eyes hold mine. “So there you go. Still feel like working here?” he asks bluntly.
I steadily stare back at him. “Why did you hire me?”
His lip tilts upward in one corner, and I can tell that he hadn’t been expecting me to come back with a question of my own. “When you couldn’t remember your address and explained you’d just moved from Indiana, I figured you were a safe bet to hire since you didn’t know about what happened last year. I then hoped all the talk and rumors wouldn’t scare you off.”
“My mom’s not happy I’m working here,” I confess, deciding to be upfront as well. I actually kind of like him so far.
Dane winces. “So you’re quitting?”
“Nope.”
He cocks his head, looking curious. “Why not?”
“Because I’m at odds with my mom. That, and I need a job and want to stay busy,” I add.
This news has Dane grinning at me. “I think I’m going to like you. Now, are you going to take advantage of the discount?” he asks, switching the topic.
I nod.
“Do you want me to take it out of your first paycheck?”
“I brought money.”
* * *
When I arrive home after my shift, I find the porch light on and my mom sitting in one of the wicker chairs. The last thing I want is another confrontation after a long day of school and an evening of training at my new job, but I know this is one that I can’t avoid. Judging by her set expression, she’s not letting me in the house until we talk.
I walk up the stairs and set my shopping bags down beside the closest chair, then I slump down into it. “Mom,” I greet.
“What’s in the bags?”
“Clothes from the store. It’s preferred that I wear their merchandise when I’m working. Look, it’s not as bad as you’re thinking. Dane himself brought up the rumors and what happened last year. He’s been nothing but upfront and kind,” I explain.
“That doesn’t mean he’s innocent,” she points out as she sets aside her coffee mug.
“Just because he was a suspect doesn’t mean he’s guilty, either. Can’t we just agree to disagree on this one? I promise that if I notice anything weird, or if I start fearing for my safety, I’ll quit immediately.”
My mom is quiet a moment as she studies me. “I’ve always tried to let you make your own decisions, because that’s the best way for you to learn. But fearing for your safety is a whole other story, Krista. I can’t ignore the rumors or brush them off like you’re evidently doing.”
“I get that, but you also have to realize that I’ll be eighteen soon. I’m old enough to be deciding for myself what’s best. I’m not stupid, you know. If I think there’s any chance he could be guilty, I’m out of there.”
She’s silent as she gazes at me, and I can see emotions flickering over her face as she debates on whether to push the topic further or not. “Okay, I’ll let it go for now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be approaching the topic again at a later date,” she relents.
“That sounds fair,” I agree.
“There’s more that I wanted to talk to you about.” Her eyes soften. “Hon, as much as I understand your need to share how you’re feeling, you need to work on your attitude. It’s straining my relationship with Mitch. He’s already concerned about you and Riley not getting along, and now things are tense in the house. It’s stressing not only him out but me, too. We knew going into this that we weren’t
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