Ghostly Interests by Lily Harper Hart Read Free Book Online Page B

looking over his shoulder.”
    Jared wasn’t nearly as entertained by the repartee as Harper. “You told a civilian about our murder victim?”
    Mel shrugged, nonplussed. “So what? It’s not like it’s a secret.”
    “When did you tell her? Was it before or after we notified her parents? You remember the people who broke down in tears and sobbed for twenty minutes, right?”
    Mel swallowed hard. “It was before,” he said. “If you think I’m not taking this seriously you’re wrong. It’s just … she asked. People are going to be talking about this. Whisper Cove is tiny. People want to know what’s going on. You’ll find that out.”
    “Whatever,” Jared said, scowling. “Nancy Drew, Joe Hardy, if you will? I think we can take it from here.”
    Harper placed her hands on her narrow hips. “Nancy Drew? If I’m anyone it’s Trixie Belden.”
    Jared was taken aback. It wasn’t the response he was expecting. “I … who is Trixie Belden?”
    “Oh, man, don’t cite the genre if you can’t hold up your end of the argument,” Zander said, wagging his finger in Jared’s direction.
    “I have no idea what that means, but you’re starting to bug me,” Jared said.
    “They weren’t doing anything,” Collin piped in. “They were just asking questions about Annie. We had no idea anything happened to her.”
    Jared exchanged introductions with the group, occasionally glancing at Harper and Zander but otherwise ignoring them. “Did you know Annie?”
    “Only on a superficial level,” Collin said.
    “Meaning?”
    “We had a couple of classes together,” Collin replied. “We were friendly but not close.”
    “I wanted to be close with her,” Jay said, winking at Harper. “She missed out, but it’s not too late for that sweet blonde over there.”
    Jared shot him a dark look. “Are you seriously trying to pick up a woman while we’re questioning you about the death of one of your classmates?”
    Jay’s face flooded with color. “I … .”
    “Don’t bother coming up with an excuse,” Jared chided. “There is no excuse. Besides, she’s old enough to be your ... .”
    “Don’t you dare even think of finishing that sentence,” Harper warned.
    “I was going to say older sister.”
    “No, you weren’t. Don’t lie. We both know you were going to say something else. And, just so you know, I happen to be two years younger than you,” Harper said.
    “How do you know how old I am?”
    “Because Whisper Cove could fit on the head of a pin,” Harper replied. “We all know each other’s business.”
    “Well, in that case, I would appreciate it if you took your business over there so I can question these fine, upstanding citizens without an audience,” Jared said.
    “Why can’t I stay here?” Harper pressed.
    “Because I said so.”
    “But … .”
    “Zander, enough is enough,” Mel said. “Take Harper and do … whatever it is you two do. This isn’t one of your fun little cases. This is official police business and it’s serious.”
    “Little cases?” Now Zander was the irritated one. “I’ll have you know … .”
    “Come on,” Harper said, grabbing his arm and tugging so she could lead Zander away from Jared and the college boys. “It’s not worth it. We’ll find our own people to interview.”
    “Fine,” Zander said. “This isn’t over, though. I’m calling Mom when I get home and she’s going to have more than Aunt Shirley’s hair color on her lips when she calls you tonight.”
    Mel visibly deflated. “I can’t wait.”
    “That’s what you get for messing with your favorite nephew,” Zander shot back.
     
    AS LUCK would have it Zander and Harper didn’t have to wander far to find new college students to question. Once they turned the corner of the university center they found Molly’s familiar face, and she was the center of attention as she regaled her classmates.
    Harper approached her, and when Molly recognized her surprise washed over her face.