Burned: Black Cipher Files #3 (Black Cipher Files series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the surf.
    I put the opening till money in the cash register, laying out the bills in sequence, and then realized I’d forgotten to count them.
    Did it really matter? I shrugged and slid the drawer shut.
    I wandered through the store, ostensibly to check for anything that needed to be re-stocked, and my fingertips brushed lightly over the jars and pots. The pleasing fragrance of geranium and lavender emanated from the sample brazier filled with my signature potpourri. The light touch of my fingertips along the shelf reminded me of the smooth feel of the surfer’s skin beneath my hands. Reminded me too of the tensile strength in his shoulders and the little shivers of sensation that followed me still. I shook my head, and tried to shake out the tactile memory of his skin, so unbelievably warm despite the frigid water.
    Gazing out the front window, I noted the pyramid of Fall candles had shifted, the balance somewhat precarious, probably after those twins were in the store with their mother yesterday.
    I wandered to the display and adjusted the base square into a more solid foundation, my actions mechanical as I stared into the street without really seeing anything.
    Hanlon’s razor, he’d whispered. He couldn’t really have referenced the obscure law, could he? Don’t assume a situation is motivated by evil if it can easily attributed to stupidity.
    What are the odds that he would even know that law? And why would he think he might be the subject of malice?
    A particularly loud scrape from upstairs startled me out of my thoughts. Mama was moving around, her tread heavy.
    Heavier than usual. I frowned.
    Mama had gotten home late from the business association meeting last night. I knew because when I snuck out for the beach she still hadn’t come home from the meeting. Of course, our local commerce bureau gatherings were more of a social event than a true business meeting. They discussed town advertising and promotion ideas, any theft problems they’d been having, and general issues that plagued the local merchants for a few minutes, and then commenced to the more social aspect of their tight knit group.
    The monthly meeting was more of a casual get-together at the bar in the middle of town, tucked away between art galleries and clothing boutiques, than a serious meeting. Blue’s Bar and Surf Shop had been here practically before the town existed and had managed, in a town that made its living off of tourists, to stay mostly local. Not that there was anything wrong with the tourist bars.
    I’d snuck back home last night, more concerned with getting in and past Mama’s bedroom without waking her up. Luckily her door had been closed. I knew she was worried about me. She didn’t like the fact that I’d been wandering the beach at night, the only time I could go to the ocean and attempt to tame my fears. During the day, the beaches were too full for me to test my dread of the water. And exposing my weakness to anyone was a level of trust I couldn’t reach.
    I was twenty freaking years old. I should not be afraid of the water.
    Mama didn’t understand.
    I tried hard to keep my restlessness, my recent lack of excitement and joy in my life from her. Guilt was a companion neither of us wanted. We’d made our choices long ago and I would do anything to protect her from that monster.
    I turned the sign that hung from an iron scrollwork hook on the front door from Closed to Open.
    “Time for business,” I called out, infusing a peppiness that I really didn’t feel into my voice.
    The door leading from the back storage room swung open with a creak. We really needed to oil the hinges, I thought absently.
    “Morning sleepy heh—” I stopped dead. Gulped. “—ad.”
    Blue Harrison grinned sheepishly at me. “Morning.” His deep, gruff voice rumbled from behind his bushy beard, his flannel shirt rumpled and his feet bare.
    “Oh, uh, Sunny,” Mama stammered. “What are you doing up so early? It’s...it’s my day to