How to Get Dirt by S. E. Campbell Read Free Book Online Page B

world. I want to belong here. I want to be a part of their family more than anything else. ”
    Prudence stared at her. “ I don ’ t know. I ’ m the troublemaker foster kid, remember? You ’ re the nice one everybody wants because you get them money but don ’ t do anything wrong. ”
    With a moan, Pickles gripped her head.
    â€œ Okay, fine, ” Prudence said. “ I think I know something you can try, but you aren ’ t going to like it. ”
    Normally, Pickles didn ’ t like any plan of Prudence ’ s, but at that point , she was willing to do anything. She glanced at Prudence and nodded her head.
    â€œ You have to find out something about them, something so horrible they wouldn ’ t want it spread around outside of the home, ” Prudence said. “ I did it once to Mr. Edinburgh. You remember him? He was kissing another lady, and for the year I stayed with him, he paid me fifty bucks a month to keep my mouth shut. You can do the same thing . As long as you get to stay with them, you won ’ t say anything. ”
    â€œ You want me to blackmail them? ” Even the word sounded horrible on her tongue.
    â€œ Is that what it is called? ” Prudence asked. “ I just thought I was being smart. ”
    â€œ No, it ’ s blackmail. ” On every cop show she ’ d ever watched, those scenarios ended badly. “ I don ’ t know if there is anything about them to find out. They aren ’ t like Mr. Edinburgh or the families I have had before. They are so kind . ”
    Prudence approached, then grabbed Pickles by the shoulders and began to shake her until her teeth clacked together and her neck ached .
    â€œ How bad do you want to stay with your family? ” Prudence asked.
    â€œ More than anything. ”
    â€œ Then you are going to have to find something on them. ” Prudence grinned. “ Be perfect on the outside, but the moment their backs are turned… ”
    â€œ But I don ’ t know the first thing about blackmail. ”
    With a cackle, Prudence turned around and went to Pickles ’ desk , where she grabbed a piece of paper and a pen , and then began to write in bold letters, HOW TO GET DIRT . She then began to number the lines down the side.
    â€œ You ’ re lucky you have a master at work here, ” Prudence said, as she wrote down sentences Pickles couldn ’ t read from where she sat . A moment later, Prudence balled up the piece of paper, whirled around, and then hurled it at Pickles ’ head.
    Pickles picked up the paper and read.
    Â 
    HOW TO GET DIRT
    1) Ask the neighbors all sorts of questions. 2) Check the numbers in their cell phones and ask everybody who they are.
3) Come home at random times during the day. See if they act guilty.
4) Search the house and their computers.
    Â 
    Pickles peered down at the paper and gasped. Prudence honestly expected her to do all of this stuff? She had never been able to lie well , yet she was going to have to make excuses to ask the neighbors questions and call strangers ’ cell phones?
    â€œ I don ’ t know if I can do this, ” she said, feeling queasy.
    With another cackle, Prudence grabbed her shoulders again. “ You can do it, Pickles. I know you can. ”
    She nodded her head. Maybe she could. Maybe she had to.
    ****
    Mrs. Beazley took them to a Spanish restaurant for lunch . Pickles ordered quesadillas with sour cream and salsa. The food tasted great. To Pickles ’ surprise, Miranda came along , even though she had been sure Miranda was supposed to be at work. Across from her sat Prudence and Mrs. Beazley . Prudence kept casting looks at Miranda over her taco salad . Maybe it was because the atmosphere felt awkward somehow, though Pickles couldn ’ t figure out why. She had never felt awkward around Mrs. Beazley before. Maybe it was because the conversation between Mrs. Beazley and Miranda seemed forced.
    When they