A Killing Spring Read Online Free PDF

were made of sugar. It’s been years since I’ve seen any that weren’t made of plastic.”
    “Julie Gallagher made them herself,” Alex said. “She told me she couldn’t find a store in town that sold them.”
    “That’s Julie for you. Always gilding her own lily.”
    “I don’t think it was that,” Alex said softly. “Mrs. Gallagher told me there was an old wives’ tale that every sugar dove on a wedding cake brought a year of happiness, and she wanted to make sure that she and her husband had a lifetime-full.”
    Despite my sad mood, dinner that night was fun. Angus’s new girlfriend, Leah Drache, had a good head on her shoulders and a knack for smoothing over raw edges. Leah also had, according to Taylor, who had asked, thirteen separate body piercings. I’d seen the seven on Leah’s ears, the two on her left eyebrow, the one through her right nostril, and the one in her navel. As we drank our green milkshakes and listened to Toad the Wet Sprocket, I tried not to think about the location of the other two.
    When we started to clear off the table, Taylor stayed at her place, staring out into the night. I went back and sat beside her. “Penny for your thoughts, T,” I said.
    Her voice was small and sad. “I wish you didn’t have to go out tonight.”
    “So do I. But a book launch is a special thing. It’s a lot of work to write a book, and the man who wrote this one is Jill’s boyfriend.”
    “Is he nice?”
    I pointed towards the garage. “Look at the size of that branch the wind blew down. I’ll bet Angus could cut it up and make a good scratching post for Benny.”
    Angus, who knew I didn’t like Tom Kelsoe, turned from the sink where he was scraping his plate and gave me a sidelong smile. “Nice feint, Mum.”
    “Thanks,” I said. “That means a lot coming from the master-feinter.” I gave Taylor a quick hug. “Okay, kiddo, it’s time for me to grab a shower and get dressed. The sooner I get there, the sooner I get home.”
    The phone on my nightstand rang just as I’d finished undressing. I ignored it and continued into the bathroom. As soon as I turned on the shower, Angus hollered, “It’s for you!” I grabbed a towel and swore. The law of averages that day pointed towards a bad-news phone call.
    Kellee Savage didn’t even bother to say hello. “I’ve got proof,” she said. “I wasn’t supposed to say anything till it was all checked, but I can’t find him, so what’s the point of waiting?” She enunciated each syllable carefully, confirming to herself and to the world that she was still sober. In the background I could hear laughter, but there was no mirth in Kellee’s voice.
    “Kellee, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Who is it that you can’t find?”
    “That’s confidential, and a good journalist honoursconfidences.” For a beat she was silent, then she said sulkily, “And a good journalist knows when to get the story out. I don’t care if he thinks I should wait. It’s my story, and I’m getting it out. In fact, I’m coming to your house right now to tell you what’s happening. You’ll be sorry you didn’t believe me.”
    “Kellee, it’s a rotten night. You’ll feel a lot better tomorrow if you just go back to your own place and go to bed.”
    “I don’t wanna go to bed. It’s my birthday. I’m s’posed to get my way. I have a birthday song. My mum made it up when I was little. ‘Oh Kellee girl, today is your birthday and smiles and fun will last the whole day long.’ ” She fell silent. “I forget the rest.”
    “Kellee, please. Call a cab and go home.”
    “Can’t,” she said. “I’m a journalist. Got to get the story out. Besides I used up all my quarters phoning you.”
    “I’ll call the taxi for you. Just tell me where you are.”
    She snorted. “Oh no, you don’t. I know what you’re trying to do. You’re trying to stop me. He probably called and warned you that I’m dangerous.” She giggled. “Well, I