Murder in the Devil's Cauldron Read Online Free PDF Page B

to
eat all their meals here.
    "Because I need to get away sometimes," her
mother snapped. "I won't get a lot of time off. Especially at the
beginning. So I expect you to meet me here on time."
    Starr hid her feelings behind the blank
expression she had gotten very good at putting on. "I was just
asking."
    "Well now you know. Don't make me sorry I
brought you with me."
    Starr didn't respond. She knew her mother
hadn't had a choice, but wasn't going to mention that at this
point. She just followed her mother's example and took a plate,
carefully selecting items from the buffet and then carried her tray
over to the table her mother selected. Although she was glad she'd
be on her own during the day, she wished she could do the same for
dinner. Back in Minneapolis, she'd managed to see very little of
her mother and knew that was the way her mother wanted it, as well.
She didn't understand why they had to eat dinner together now. But
Starr knew better than to ask. Fortunately, dinner was over quickly
and Starr was released to return to the cabin.
    "Make sure you clean up your mess before you
go to bed," her mother reminded her as she showed Starr where to
put the dishes when they were done. "I'll be here until late and I
don't want to have to deal with that when I get back."
    "I'll do it right away," Starr promised.
    While her mother didn't say anything, her
face spoke volumes and Starr hurried back to the cabin. She'd been
trying so hard to do everything right, but had already managed to
mess up. For a moment she wanted to cry. She just wished it wasn't
so hard to get everything right.
    Then she perked up. Maybe when she got her
room put back together she'd have time to check things out. And it
was always possible her mother would relax the dinner idea after
they had been here for awhile. The thought made Starr feel
better.
    Normally she would have done a little
exploring on her way back, but figured that since she didn't
actually know when her mother would return, it might be safer to
get back right away and finish up. There would be plenty of time to
look around later.
    She followed the path back to the cabin. All
the fairy lights were on now and the woods had taken on an
enchanted glow. As she came around a bend in the trees, she saw the
cabin with the blue dreamcatcher hanging on the porch. She stopped
and put a hand to her mouth in surprise and recognition.
    That's where I live now, she thought with
delight. I have a porch and a dreamcatcher and live in a cabin in
the woods.
    She hugged herself happily and then skipped
the rest of the way, feeling as if she was going to burst with
joy.
     
     
* * * * *
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    By the time Fae pulled into her yard, her
back was radiating spikes of pain and it hurt to even think.
Wearily she turned off the ignition and closed her eyes for a long
moment, summoning the energy to at least get out of the car. The
boxes Bailey had given her were safe in the car for tonight, so all
she had to do now was get herself into the house, but the thirty
feet or so from the car to the door felt as if it was more like
thirty miles.
    Reaching into her purse, Fae groped for the
prescription bottle. Fortunately it was large and she found it
immediately. She pulled it out, pried off the top and took out two
pills. The water bottle had rolled under the seat, but she soon had
it in hand and washed the pills down. She pulled the lever on her
seat and pushed it back until she was nearly reclining.
    While the pain didn't immediately disappear,
taking the weight off her low back brought a certain measure of
relief and she closed her eyes gratefully. Concentrating on her
breathing, she waited for the pain medication to take effect.
    She should have taken them before she left
Duluth, she thought, but hadn't wanted to chance it. Besides, she
knew Bailey would have reconsidered his request if he knew how
difficult things still were and she didn't want that. She was tired
of sitting around (well, lying around