Deadly Reunion Read Online Free PDF

planning on staying here?”
    She leaned back in her chair, wondering why he seemed to care. “Yeah, for a little while.”
    Grace watched as beads of sweat formed on his brow. “A re you going to open up your own business? Look, sweetheart, I don’t think that’s a good idea. This is a small town—”
    “What’s the matter , Steve,” Adam asked, “you afraid of a little competition?”
    “I don’t understand this .” Crystal pushed her hair back away from her face, her large sapphire and diamond heart wedding ring catching the light. “Weren’t you selling toys or something?” Her tone of voice making it clear what she thought of such an occupation.
    Grace shook her head. “No, not exactly.”
    “That’s what I thought, too,” Melodie said.
    Beth shook her head, clearly upset. “Grace, tell them. They won’t believe me.”
    Frustrated, Grace asked, “About what, Beth? What are you all talking about?”
    Beth, clearly exasperated, dropped the camera she had been holding onto the table. “That you’re a detective, of course.”
    “Ah,” Grace said, shaking her head. So that was it. Last December Grace had jokingly told her little brother about her new job duties as the toy company in-house detective tasked with the responsibility of discovering the boss’ wife’s killer. Beth must have overheard Jeff discussing her predicament with his friends. It also occurred to her that must have been what Adam had been alluding to out on the dance floor.
    Crystal roll ed her eyes. “Here comes Hope. Maybe she can straighten this out.”
    Tom, who had been alternatively looking down at the table or glaring at Adam and Steve, suddenly stood up at the mention of Hope's name. “I’m going to make myself a drink.”
    Before Tom could completely stand up, Crystal said, “Excellent idea, honey, get me some punch.”
    “I would love some , too. That is, if you’re offering?” Hope asked as Tom walked away.
    It didn’t escape Grace’s or anyone else’s notice that Tom took the long way around the t able to get to the drink area. “Was it something I said?” Hope asked.
    Grace sighed. Well , that wasn't too painful.
    “Hope, isn’t Grace a private detective?” Beth asked.
    “A private detective?” Hope’s lips started to curve up.
    “I knew it,” Steve gloated. “I knew you weren’t a detective. A trained professional can spot a fake a mile away.”
    “Is that why you were sweating over her setting up shop just a few minutes ago,” Adam pointed out.
    “Really, Grace.” Crystal's voice became pitying. “I knew someone at this reunion would pretend to be something that they’re not, but I didn’t expect it to be you.”
    Laughing, Grace shook her head. “Listen. There’s been a mis—”
    “Would all of you leave her alone ? If she says she is a detective, then she is. I've always known Grace to be truthful,” Mr. Collins said, sweetly smiling at Grace.
    “Here .” Steve reached into his wallet, pulled out twenty dollars, and laid it on the table. “I will bet you she is not a detective.”
    “Fine, I’ll take that bet,” Adam sa id, turning to look up at Hope. “Is it true?”
    Grace looked up at her sister. To her surprise, Hope answered in the affirmative.
    Adam smiled as he pocketed the twenty, while Grace raised a hand to her suddenly pounding head.
    Diana, apparently having enough of the show , stood up. “All right, everyone. You got your answer. Now leave her alone. Why don’t you guys go get some food?”
    “Yeah, that’s right. You should see the feast I had prepared just for my wonderful classmates,” Melodie said, getting up from the table and dragging Crystal with her. As everyone left the table for the buffet located at the front of the gym, Hope sat down next to her sister.
    “What are you doing? I know this is your first time lying, but let me give you some advice. If you are going to lie, start small. Let it be something within the realm of reality. Like you