Candy-Coated Secrets Read Online Free PDF

awhile. You’re going to need a new refrigerator, Miss Summer. No amount of cleaning will take that smell out. Let me take care of that for you.” He melted into the shadows and disappeared.
    “Summer!” Eddy Foreman appeared by my side and placed one sweaty hand around my upper arm. He glanced in the open refrigerator. “I’m beginning to think you’re a magnet for dead things. Are you all right?”
    I pulled free. “Didn’t anyone check the refrigerator before placing it here?”
    “Of course, my dear. We had it cleaned and ready for you.” Foreman urged me away from the space. “That was not in the refrigerator when we plugged it in.”
    Then why is it here now? My knees weakened, and I slumped into a nearby chair. After finding Millie hanging in her shower, I’d done nothing as far as investigating her death. I’d been willing to leave things as a suicide. On one hand, my family warned me to stay out of things, yet someone seemed to be trying to draw me in. Why? Fear pricked the nape of my neck.
    The crunch of gravel outside pulled me to my feet, and with heavy steps I headed out of the building. As I suspected, Joe stood with crossed arms next to his squad car.
    With a deep breath, I squared my shoulders. “Who called you?”
    “Doesn’t matter. I was already here asking questions. Why didn’t you call?” He motioned toward his cell phone.
    “I would have. As soon as the shock wore off. Give me a minute, Joe. I just found the thing.” I crossed my arms. We resembled two roosters squaring off. “I haven’t done anything to warrant someone putting a dead animal in my fridge.”
    “Uh-huh.” He pushed away from the car and marched into the building.
    Twilight fell with crimson beauty, increasing the vibrancy of the amusement ride lights. Fewer workers scurried between buildings, choosing instead to join in the fun of carnival life without fair attendees. Laughter floated across the midway.
    “You all right?” Big Sally startled me, coming up behind me in amazing silence despite her bulk.
    “I’m getting used to surprises.”
    Washington wheeled a dolly carrying my new—and hopefully unoccupied—refrigerator. He gave a jaunty wave, called out a greeting to Big Sally, and vanished from view.
    “A good man, that one. Been a carny most of his life.” Big Sally moved to a nearby bench and patted the small amount of space remaining beside her. “Come. Sit.”
    With a glance toward the building, I joined her. Holding on to the edge of the tilted seat prevented me from sliding into her. A sour odor wafted from the folds of her skin. Would her feelings be hurt if I gave her a gift of scented body powder? Diverting my attention, I hoped things would move quickly before I had a melted lump of chocolate in a cardboard box.
    Sally put a plump hand on my leg. “Eddy Foreman said you were thinking about taking over for Millie. That’s mighty nice of you, but I hadn’t figured you for the type. A nice girl like you, I can’t imagine your parents allowing it. I had a son once. He was murdered. The last thing I’d want was for him to have this kind of life.”
    No, my parents would’ve been shocked. “I’m sorry about your son.”
    She clapped a hand on my shoulder, almost knocking me off the bench. “Don’t worry about little Richie. Justice will be done.”
    “My mom and dad are. . .dead.” I blamed myself for their accident, and the last thing I wanted was to talk about it. “I don’t understand where Eddy got the idea I want to work here. I have no desire for carnival life. Or operating a game booth. Foreman assumed, since he found me in Millie’s trailer, that I wanted her job.”
    Sally’s laughter escaped in a wheeze. She clapped me on the back, almost knocking me from the bench. “Sally did more than run the ringtoss, girlie. She was employed in the oldest profession in the book.” She giggled. “You are priceless. Why else do you think that weasel Eddy Foreman is all over