A Hard Bargain by Jane Tesh Read Free Book Online

to be in it!”
    As usual, Denisha’s sweeping statements caused a violent reaction from Austin. “We’re not going to be in the movie, Denisha! It’s a horror movie for grownups. There aren’t any kids in it. You always get everything wrong.”
    She rounded on him. “I do not! I heard Mrs. Danbury tell Mrs. Forsythe they’re looking for kids to be in the movie.”
    “Those two old women don’t know beans.”
    Denisha flipped her hand up as if to say, I’m not listening to you any more. “Jerry, isn’t there going to be a movie at this house?”
    He nodded. “I’m hoping they’ll film some of it here.”
    Austin still wasn’t convinced. “When will they be here?”
    “Patricia’s going to call me when they get to town. You want a Coke, Mac? The kids and I are having a snack.”
    The kids could count on a snack every time they dropped by the house, as if Jerry needed an excuse.
    “That would be nice, thanks. Did you make your phone call?”
    “She wasn’t home.”
    I wasn’t sure I believed that, but I let it go for now. Jerry went inside. Denisha checked out my dark jeans and red tee shirt. “You’re looking very nice today, Madeline. Do you have another murder to solve?”
    “No, but I have some very exciting cases.”
    “Tell us!”
    I sat down in one of the rocking chairs. “Well, there’s the Case of the Leftover Boxes, the Case of the Missing Umbrella, and now, the Case of the Overdue Library Books. I really don’t know which one to solve first.”
    She gave me a look. “You’re not being serious, are you?”
    “No. That’s called irony. You run into it a lot when you’re an adult.”
    Austin caught on, too. “So there’s nothing really exciting, huh?”
    “No, but these jobs will pay the bills.”
    “What bills?” Denisha asked. “You’re living here free, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, but I want to get my own place.”
    “How come? Ain’t you and Jerry a couple?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Oh,” she said. She thought it over and nodded wisely. “Kinda like me and Austin.”
    Austin was scandalized. “Denisha! I told you not to say things like that!”
    He bolted into the house. Denisha just sighed and flipped her hand up again, this time as if waving Austin away. “Men,” she said.
    “How true, Denisha, how true.”
    Jerry came back with my Coke in time to hear this. “What’s true?”
    “Denisha and I were just having a girl talk.”
    “Well, what do you girls think of this?” He took a piece of paper out of his pocket. “Des’s latest CD is coming out this fall.”
    “That’s great.” I took the Coke and the paper. It was an article from a magazine with a review of the CD. “‘Masterful control of the keyboard, sensitive rendition, amazing technique.’ Nice, very nice.”
    “This your brother that plays the piano like you?” Denisha asked.
    “Way better than me.” Jerry sat down. “He’s on tour right now. Japan, Italy, Australia. All the big concert halls.”
    The phone rang. From somewhere in the house, Austin called, “I’ll get it!”
    In a few minutes, he came out, scowling. He still hadn’t forgiven Denisha for her remark. “That was your aunt, Denisha. We’ve gotta go.”
    “Okay. See you later, Madeline. By, Jerry.”
    Denisha and Austin picked up their bikes from under the trees and rode off down the driveway. I handed the review back to Jerry.
    “Will Des be back in time for Tucker’s wedding?”
    “I don’t know.” He immediately changed the subject. “This is a such a great review. I knew he could do it.”
    “I think all you Fairweather boys are very talented.”
    “Well, you have Des the Musician, Tucker the Gardener, and me the Screw-Up. One in every family.”
    “You aren’t a screw-up.”
    “Not much of anything else.”
    “Have you tried being anything else?”
    “Aimless. Carefree.”
    “Besides that. What do you want, Jerry?”
    He started to say something. Then he shook his head, took a drink of Coke, and said, “I