Ear-Witness by Mary Ann Scott Read Free Book Online

That’s disgusting!”
    Raffi held his hand up, as if he was stopping traffic. “Not done yet,” he said. He bent to look under the table, then tipped a chair up to examine the seat. “Tammi?” he said. “Is this it? Is this where Ray croaked? Is this...” He lowered his voice a little, pretending to be horrified. “Is this ... dried blood?”
    Mom made gagging sounds in her throat, as if she was trying not to throw up. “You are too much Raffi,” she said. “Too much. Twisted, that’s what you are.”
    Raffi nodded. “And insensitive,” he said. “And offensive. That’s what I was. Believe me Jess, you’ve got nothing to worry about. You couldn’t say anything that bad if I wrote you a script.”
    I grinned. “You’re right,” I said. “I couldn’t. I feel pretty weird about babysitting down there, though. Do you think I should go?”
    â€œIt’s up to you,” Mom said. “I don’t feel strongly one way or the other. You may feel a bit spooked, but there can’t be any danger. I mean, Tammi was right there and the murderer didn’t touch her. Just let her know, Jess.”
    â€œShe’ll talk me into it, I know she will. I mean, what can I say? I
don’t want to come, Tammi
. I’m
too chicken?”
    Mom thought for a minute. “Why don’t you ask Flavia to go with you?” she said.

    I practised what I was going to say to Tammi all the way down the stairs. Then I knocked. Maybe she wouldn’t be there. Maybe I’d be lucky.
    â€œHi,” she said.
    She could have been Tammi’s big sister, or her aunt, or even her mother, but I knew she wasn’t. She was Tammi, ghostly pale, tired, and a whole lot older. Her clothes were different too; black tailored slacks, and a baggy turtle-neck, also black. No more dangling earrings, no short skirt, no fancy tights and, the biggest surprise of all, no scoop-necked, body-hugging sweater. Even her hair had changed. It was still orange with dark roots, but it didn’t stick out all over her head any more. It was pulled back, in some kind of a twist, sort of like Mom’s.
    â€œYou look so different!” I gasped. Then I remembered my manners. “Uh, Tammi, I’m ...”
    â€œDo I look all right?” she said, spreading her arms to give me a better view. “I’m a widow, after all. Gotta dress the part.” Without waiting for an answer, she pointed to a spot on the floor where there used to be a rug. “There,” she said. “He was killed right there. In case you’re wondering, and like, don’t wanna ask. Anyhow I thought I’d go to bingo tonight, just to get out, you know? Tongues will wag, probably, it being so soon and all. Like I’m looking for another guy? But I’m not, so I don’t care. If I don’t get away from that kid for a couple of hours I’ll go positively squirrelly. It’s like she knows, or something. Just never stops fussing.”
    A surprisingly loud yowl echoed down the hall. “Speaking of which,” Tammi said. “Comin, love,” she yelled. “Just hold onto your diaper! Thanks, Jess. Quarter to seven, OK? S’cuse me.”
    The door closed quietly but firmly in my face. Mom was right. I didn’t need to worry about what to say.

CHAPTER 6
    â€œThis is one crabby baby,” I said.
    Brianna, a tiny redhead with pale skin and big blue eyes, was propped on the couch beside me. Flavia, who was crouched on the floor in front of us, played peek-under-a-blanket. I wiggled a Minnie Mouse doll so it danced on my lap, but nothing worked. When Brianna’s lower lip began to wobble, I picked her up.
    â€œShe’s tired,” I said. “Let’s put her to bed.”
    We checked her diaper on the changing table, then I carried her over to the crib. For somebody so young, Brianna’s pretty smart. The minute