The Curse (Seacliff High Mystery Book 2) Read Free Page A

strolled past the pay phones. Just as she neared the bathroom door she dropped her lipstick, then slowly bent down to pick it up. She knew the move was an obvious ploy, but she figured the guy would be so immersed in his conversation he wouldn’t notice.
    When she had stalled as long as she felt she could, Alyson opened the bathroom door and went inside. She spent a few minutes there, then leisurely came out and began walking back down the hallway toward the pay phones. As she passed the man, he reached out and grabbed her arm.
    Alyson jumped as the large hand closed around her forearm.
    “I seem to be out of change. Do you happen to have a quarter?” the man asked.
    “Uh, sure.”
    Alyson opened her wallet and took out several coins. “Just in case you run out.” She handed the man the change.
    “Thanks.”
    Alyson hurried over to where her friends were waiting. She put her hand over her mouth and giggled. “I thought I was going to die when he grabbed me.”
    “You and me both,” Mac said.
    “Could you hear what he was saying?” Trevor asked.
    “A little. He was talking to someone about a meeting. He wanted to postpone it for some reason. He mentioned a guy named Butch. His voice sounded odd. Intense but controlled.”
    “Did you get a better look at his jumpsuit?” Eli asked.
    “No, he had the jacket on and I didn’t want to stare.”
    “Utility repairmen sometimes wear orange jumpsuits,” Devon pointed out. “I think maybe our imaginations are getting the best of us.”

Chapter 2
     
    Alyson woke up on Monday morning to find her room freezing cold. The fire she’d lit the night before had burned out and the work crew had yet to hook up the central heating system her mother was having installed. Pulling her quilt around her shoulders, she hopped over to the fireplace at the foot of her bed and threw another log on to the still-smoldering coals.
    Dragging her quilt with her, she stumbled into the bathroom across the hall and turned on the portable electric heater she and her mother had been using. Back in her room, she looked out the window at the gray sky and drizzling rain.
    “Looks like we’ll have to skip our run this morning,” she said to the furry German shepherd that was still curled up on the rug next to her bed. “Just let me get dressed and I’ll let you out.”
    Tucker thumped his tail once, as if he understood but was quite unconcerned about moving from his position. Alyson looked through her closet for the warmest things she could find, finally settling on soft gray cords, a light gray turtleneck sweater, and a heavy dark gray wool sweater to wear on top. Digging through her drawer, she found heavy wool socks and matching wool mittens.
    After a quick shower, she put on everything but the mittens and went downstairs in search of breakfast. She let Tucker out, then wandered into the kitchen and its welcoming warmth.
    “It’s freezing today,” Alyson commented to her mother as she stood with her back to the crackling fire in the kitchen fireplace. “It wasn’t this cold in New York even when it snowed.”
    “I think it just feels colder here because of the damp air caused by the fog.” Her mother was stirring a pot on the stove. “Want some hot chocolate?”
    “Thanks.” Alyson walked over to take a steaming hot mug from her mom. “I think I hear Tucker whining at the door already. I don’t think he cares for this cold, damp weather any more than we do.”
    She let the soaking wet dog in, then grabbed a towel from the laundry room to dry him off. Once he’d stopped dripping on the floor, Alyson let him curl up on the rug in front of the fire to finish drying.
    “I’ve got waffles for breakfast,” Alyson’s mom announced. “Why don’t you set out the butter and syrup?”
    Alyson did as her mother asked and sat down at the table to enjoy the hot meal.
    “I sure will be glad when they get the heater hooked up. I’m all for a cozy fire for atmosphere, but nothing beats