Devil Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

"Thought you'd like to know, you've got a run in your hose."
    She focused on her legs, saw the light streak against the dark nylon and groaned, "Oh, darn!"
    He turned away and chuckled. Oh yeah, it's going to be fun to pull her chain.
    * * *
    Of course, Maddie ended up the last one to arrive for the budget meeting. Heading toward the old three-story school building, she barely noticed the familiar cracking concrete steps that led up to the heavy glass doors. Yanking on a handle, she made a sharp left toward the teachers lounge. Her heels pounded loud clicking noises that reverberated down the cinderblock-lined hallway. The smell of fresh paint assailed her nostrils, making her dimly aware of the sparkling new coat of pale green color on the walls.
    Pushing on the door marked Teachers Only , she smiled wanly as all heads swiveled toward her. The lounge was divided into two sections, one containing an old couch and comfortable overstuffed chairs; the other held a long conference table where teachers could grade papers. The windowless room featured a large mural of Lake Luna, complete with a shining moon reflecting on water. The budget committee sat convened around the table.
    Doug McCall, the burly, gray haired principal, held court at one end. The department heads had their appointed chairs denoting pecking order by their proximity to McCall. She immediately noted Phil Wilcox sat to the principal's left, while the chair to Doug's right remained empty for her. She passed Randy who sat between Phyllis Green, the Home Ec teacher, and Phineas Manchester, the self-important head of the English department.
    "Nice of you to join us, Miss Harris," McCall said with his Alabama accent, eyes staring over the reading glasses perched on his nose.
    Maddie smoothed her skirt as she slid into a chair. "I had a little mishap this morning. I'm sorry I'm late."
    She exchanged a quick glance with Phil, whose mouth appeared to be suppressing a grin. Maddie unzipped her briefcase and opened up the traveling office on the table.
    "I was just going over changes in the budget," McCall said as he handed her a printout.
    His voiced droned on about science textbooks, school lunches, the new copy machine and athletic equipment. Maddie studied the line-by-line entries, finding few surprises. Athletic equipment did seem higher than usual. Then she searched for the new theater chairs. She couldn't find them.
    She tapped her finger on the table. "Excuse me, but I don't see the new seats for the theater."
    She glanced at Randy who gazed down doodling on a pad of paper, avoiding all eye contact.
    "No, Miss Harris," McCall said, "if you'd been on time, you'd have heard we have to put that off for a year."
    "What? We've sold wrapping paper, fresh fruit, and over-priced candles as fundraisers. I've gotten soaked in car washes for two years to buy those chairs. What happened to the money?" Maddie demanded.
    "We had an emergency come up and those funds were needed elsewhere."
    "Emergency? What kind of emergency? I don't remember any fires."
    McCall crossed his arms. "When Mr. Wilcox arrived and saw the state of the athletic equipment, he immediately called it to my attention and I had to appropriate the theater funds."
    Maddie shot Phil a slit-eyed stare. "Oh, I see. We need new towels, balls, and punching bags for the big boys to play with, so let's just rob the drama department."
    Phil spoke up. "May I say something?"
    Maddie gave a wave of her hand. "By all means."
    He stood up and addressed the room. "I'm Phil Wilcox, your new football coach. I understand it's been a while since Beaver Cove had much of a team. When I got here two weeks ago, a quick appraisal of the athletic equipment revealed you had real problems. Safety problems. If I'm going to get these kids in shape, I've gotta make sure the practice uniforms and equipment are going to prevent as many injuries as possible." He shot Maddie a quelling glance. "That seems to me to be a higher priority than some