Secrets of Ugly Creek Read Free

“What, you don’t think my acting is wonderful?”
    I let out a snort in spite of myself. “Not really, no.”
    “Some friend you are.” She crossed her arms in an over-the-top huff.
    The leprechaun and the mayor were still going at it, but at least the mayor had managed to move the discussion away from where the film folks were trying to get started again.
    I decided to change the subject before Liza got mad at me for real. “Is Steve pushing you too hard at work? I’d be happy to smack him a good one.”
    Liza’s clear laugh caught the attention of one of the sound people, and he sent the two of us a serious glare. She lowered her voice. “That’s one of the perks of working for your husband at his computer programming and forensics business. He won’t push too hard if he knows what’s good for him after the lights go out.”
    “Got him tied around your little finger, huh?”
    “You betcha.”
    I tried to think of something else to talk about. I didn’t want to hear any more about Liza and Steve’s great life. Yeah, okay, it reminded me that my four closest friends were married. Liza to Steve, and recently Stephie to Jake. Everybody was married but me. Oh crap, I wasn’t going there.
    “Let’s move back away from where they’re working,” I suggested. I figured we’d do the sound guy a favor while gaining more privacy so I could speak to Liza about something more important than my pathetic single state.
    We walked back into a grove of trees where we were out of the way, and I could talk more freely. “You know Mr. McDuffy has a point.”
    Liza frowned and gave her head a shake. “What are you talking about?”
    My stomach did a twist, but I didn’t let that stop me. “Ugly Creek is special.” I sent her a look that I hoped communicated all that I meant.
    She raised one eyebrow. “Yeah. So?”
    “So is it really a good idea for strange folks to be poking around with video cameras?”
    Liza did a quick glance around us before she spoke. “Maddie, Ugly Creek has been keeping its secrets safe for a long time.”
    I leaned toward her. “Not from the likes of Gibson McFain.”
    Liza’s forehead wrinkled. “Yeah, I heard what he did to Senator Carson. Lies, corruption, even found out she had a mentally disabled sister she’d paid a fortune to keep tucked away and secret. What a mess.”
    “That’s what he does, Liza. That’s why I wanted Ace to do the photography, not somebody from Capitol Spy Weekly . Unfortunately he doesn’t want the gig.”
    “Too bad Stephie’s on her honeymoon.” Liza grinned.
    “On a cruise, no less. I can’t even contact her.”
    My friend’s eyes widened and her mouth slacked. “You wouldn’t ask Stephie to come home from her honeymoon to take a few pictures. I don’t believe that.”
    “This is serious crap we’re talking about here.” I sighed. “But no, I wouldn’t. She and Jake deserve happiness.”
    A quick bark caught my attention, and I saw a hairy mutt about twenty feet away. He seemed to be looking at me, then deeper into the woods. “What is he doing here?”
    “Who?”
    “That dang dog of Ace’s.” I took off toward the mutt, afraid that he’d run from me, but he just stood there. As I got closer, I saw him look deeper into the woods, then back to me. He did it a couple of times, and I worried that he was about to run.
    He continued to stand still, looking at me, then into the woods. Of course, my gaze followed his, and I gasped in spite of myself. Leaning against a tree maybe thirty feet from us was a young Bigfoot.
    With no idea what else to do, I scooped up the dog and headed back to my friend. As I walked, I held the varmint out away from my navy blue Donna Karan suit.
    “Oh how cute!” Liza squealed. “Can I hold him?”
    “Sure, you can have all the fur and muddy paw prints.”
    “Oh, you are adorable.” She took the dog from me and cuddled him in her arms, seemingly oblivious to the fur attaching to her awesome jacket. Diane