Full House by Janet Evanovich Read Free Book Online

leave the house for a few hours once I spray." He paused. "Have you heard any more noises at night?"
    "A couple of times. I told the officer. He's going to look around before he leaves."
    "You're not the only one hearing things at night," Raoul said. "I ran into Mrs. Cartwright at the grocery store, and she complained about it. Said her dog went crazy barking last Tuesday night. She called the police, but they didn't find anything. Of course, the police insist it's just kids messing around and since nothing is ever missing they don't take it seriously. I think there's more to it."
    Billie shivered. "What do you mean?"
    "I haven't figured it out yet, but I plan to spend the night in my truck tonight so I can keep an eye on things."
    "Don't you think that's going beyond the call of duty? You have a family at home."
    "These people count on me."
    Billie opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted when the front door opened and slammed shut. "Men!" Deedee screeched at the top of her voice.
    The door opened and slammed again. "Lady," Frankie shouted, "you are a fruitcake! The nuttiest of them all."
    "Oh, yeah? Well, you don't exactly have both oars in the water either, mister. I never want to see you again. The wedding is off."
    "That suits me just fine because no way am I going to sleep on French provincial furniture. It's for sissies. Wrestlers need big leather stuff."
    Billie raced from the kitchen with Raoul on her heels. "What's going on here?"
    "We're having a fight," Deedee said. "Mr. Big Shot here flirted with some slut right in front of me."
    "She's not a slut, and I didn't flirt with her. She simply asked me to write something on her forehead. People do it all the time."
    Deedee crossed her arms over ample breasts. "Your telephone number?"
    "I can explain that if you'd shut up long enough."
    "You were looking at her boobs."
    "Was not."
    "Was, too."
    "Excuse me!" Billie said, glancing up to find Christie and Joel watching the whole exchange from the top of the stairs. "I would appreciate it if you'd take this fight elsewhere. My children are in residence." She tossed Joel and Christie a stern look. "Bedtime," she announced.
    "Aw, Mom!" Both kids disappeared into their rooms.
    "I'm sorry," Deedee said, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm not used to a man, especially my fiance, trying to pick up a woman in my presence. Most men usually can't take their eyes off me."
    "I wasn't flirting," Frankie told Billie. "The woman came stumbling up to me

Chapter Eleven
    Billie awoke at six the next morning, tired and groggy after lying awake half the night listening for sounds. She climbed from bed and headed straight for Deedee's room. The woman was sound asleep and probably wouldn't wake till noon, if she were left alone.
    Billie had no intention of doing so.
    She tapped Deedee on the shoulder several times before pulling the mask from her eyes. "Wake up, Deedee," she said.
    The woman moaned. "This had better be good."
    Billie planted her hands on her hips. "You left the front door unlocked last night."
    Deedee yawned and sat up. "What are you talking about?"
    Billie didn't want to tell her about the noise that had awakened her during the night and risk having her tell the children. "I woke up last night and found the door unlocked."
    Deedee looked offended. "I'm not an idiot," she said. "I always lock the door, as well as the dead bolt. Besides, I used the back door last night because I didn't want to wake anyone. And guess what? I found
it
unlocked."
    Billie gaped at her. "Are you sure?"
    "Yes, I'm sure. I was surprised because I know what a stickler you are about locking up before bedtime."
    Billie tried to think back. She was certain she had locked the doors. "Tell me something. Did you come into my room last night?"
    "No, why?"
    "Are you sure? Maybe you had too much to drink and ended up in the wrong room."
    "I seldom drink anything except diet tonic with a slice of lime. What's going on?"
    "I must be getting paranoid," Billie