Dark Chocolate Demise by Jenn McKinlay Read Free Book Online

all something to do while they wait,” she said. Oz nodded.
    â€œI’ll go,” Marty volunteered.
    â€œNo,” Mel said. “Oz needs out of the van for a bit.” Marty made a sour face and Mel added, “Relax. Tate and Angie should be back shortly to spell you both.”
    Two boys in green coveralls with a nuclear emblem on the front were next up at the window.
    â€œWhat can I get you?” Mel asked.
    â€œHave you witnessed any paranormal activity, ma’am?” the taller of the two asked.
    â€œExcuse me?” Mel said.
    â€œWe’re the Bonehead Investigators,” the boy said. He looked at Mel as if this should mean something to her.
    â€œWe’re ghost hunters,” the smaller one said as if Mel were too stupid to live. “I’m Atom and this is Leo. Our specter meter clearly indicates that you have a paranormal presence here. Please confirm.”
    He gave her a severe look and Mel blinked. He was holding a small gadget that looked like an iPhone, and it was flashing with blue lights and making a whistling noise.
    â€œWhat’s the holdup?” Marty groused from behind Mel. “Order some cupcakes, kids, or move along.”
    The meter in the boy’s hand went berserk, the flashing intensified, and its whistle became a screech that had both Mel and Marty covering their ears.
    â€œShut it off!” Mel cried as she saw the costumed people behind the boys cover their ears and back away.
    The two boys looked from the meter to Marty and then at each other. In unison, they cried, “It’s him!”

Six

    Leo dropped to the ground and began fishing through his backpack. For what, Mel could not imagine and she really didn’t want to find out.
    â€œTime for you to take a break, Marty,” she said and she shoved him towards the back door.
    Atom, the smaller boy, had grabbed the window ledge and was trying to hoist himself into the van.
    â€œOh, no you don’t, short stack!” Mel said.
    She hustled Marty out the back and then grabbed two of her brain cupcakes. She gently nudged the boy off of her window and held out the cupcakes.
    â€œHere you go,” she said. “These are on me. Probably, you shouldn’t be chasing people with your . . . uh . . .”
    â€œSpecter meter,” Leo said.
    He and the smaller one exchanged a look, and Mel realized, judging by their matching nose and chin, that they were brothers. They ignored her proffered cupcakes and Leo jerked his head in the direction of the back of the van. Atom nodded. They took off running in opposite directions.
    The next person in line stepped up and Mel went to take their order, when she heard a yelp. She glanced up and saw Marty hotfooting it through the crowd with the two boys on his tail. If she was a betting woman, she’d lay odds that Marty was beating feet over to Olivia’s booth.
    Mel had no doubt that Olivia would scare the two hooligans away from her man. She just hoped Olivia didn’t do any permanent psychological damage to the boys.
    â€œWhat’s the haps?” Tate asked as he climbed back into the van.
    â€œYou wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” Mel said. Luckily, the crowd surged forward and Mel was spared from trying to explain about Marty and the sawed-off Bonehead Investigators and their specter meter.
    She figured they’d see Marty again as soon as he lost his newly acquired shadows, er, shadow hunters? She was unclear on the proper nomenclature for ghost hunters or whatever it was those two boys thought they were.
    â€œSo, are you and Angie okay?” she asked.
    â€œYeah, we’re good,” he said. “Seeing Roach like that, well, it made me realize how lucky I am. Anything Angie wants for our wedding she gets, so it looks like you’re going to be hers.”
    Mel smiled. “Works for me, but you know I would have been happy to stand up for you, too.”
    â€œYeah, I