Nobody Knows Your Secret Read Online Free PDF Page A

Singlepenny’s.”
    “Beanie and I are going to start that job, Monday. I’ll let you know how it goes. Onus! Come here, you fierce feline! I may need you to eat this wicked sister who’s threatening to shoot me! See you later, Maury.”
    Those last statements were said in jest, but Hadley couldn’t help but feel uneasy. A murderer here in little Hope Rock County!
    Scary beyond belief.

Chapter Nine
    “ H adley ,I need your help,” said Virgie Winthrop, standing in Hadley’s front doorway.
    “What is it, Virgie?” Hadley asked. “I’ll do whatever I can, you know that. I’m really sorry for your loss. Have y’all finished the arrangements for Kyle’s funeral?”
    “Not yet,” Virgie said. “We’re waiting for Bowey Hill to release his body back to us. Thanks. ’Bout all anybody can do for us is pray.”
    “Well, I’ve been doing that,” Hadley said. “What do you need?”
    “I know you and Kyle had that run-in, a couple of years back. If you say no, I won’t blame you. He stole from you. Ain’t no use sugar-coatin’ the truth. ’At dope turned that boy inside out. He started out sweet ’n’ good natured, ’en he turned into a rattler. I loved ’im. He was blood. But I shorely didn’t like ’im. Still, I’m an old woman, and I need peace.”
    What does Virgie want? Hadley hated to hear the rest of this conversation. Kyle Winthrop had broken into her garage, stolen lots of Harry’s tools. He did it to buy more drugs, and the only reason Hadley had recovered some of the stolen items at all was because he’d had engraved his name on the things.
    “I hate to ask, Hadley, but I was wondering if you wouldn’t help me. I was there that day at the bazaar. I was at the library when you got Rayna to confess to killing Eustian. You been away to school, Hadley.' You’re smart. I’ve always knowed that.”
    “Oh, Virgie, that was just dumb luck,” Hadley said.
    “Dumb luck ain’t got nuthin’ to do with it. You are good people. You he’p anybody. You’re from good-hearted stock, Hadley Pell, ’n’ you knowed it.
    “I knowed what Kyle was. He weren’t good fer nuthin’. Ruint. ’At dope took over his whole life. But even if he weren’t worth a plug nickel, I still need to know who done '’im in like ’at. Bill’s a good man. I knowed he’s kin, but he’s gotta sheriff this whole county.
    “I need somebody who kin put a bead on this problem and figgur it out. I need a good brain on it like you got. Kyle was my blood, ’n’ a dawg deserved better’n what he got.”
    “Virgie, I can’t go messin’ into a police matter,” Hadley said.
    “I ain’t askin’ ya to git into no trouble. But you’re out ’n’ about. You hear things. All I’m askin’ is if you hear somepin’ that clicks ’em cogs in that head a yourn, let me know, okay?”
    “All right,” Hadley said. “I’ll be sure to keep my ears open, Virgie.”
    “That’s all I’m askin’. Maybe you kin h’ep, maybe not, but at least you’re tryin’. That’s all this old lady kin ask from a body. And thanks, Hadley. You’re a good friend.”
    What in the world have I done? Hadley wondered.
    She couldn’t trouble herself too much. She was just helping a neighbor. That’s how it was in these hills. Not like a big city where nobody wants to know anything about anybody. Strangers or family. In the mountains, folks helped you out. It didn’t matter who you were.
    “Onus,” Hadley said, after Virgie had left. “I got to go clean out a house so gaumed up, you may not see me for weeks.”
    Onus meowed.
    “Don’t worry, old bird. I’m just fooling. I’ll be home in time to get your cat food dish filled come suppertime. You keep a watch on things while I’m gone, you hear. Don’t let any hooligans in here. I’m locking the door, just to be safe. Beanie and I may be late, so don’t worry.”
    Onus silently slid over to Hadley and rubbed against her leg.
    “Oh, pretty boy. Afraid I’ll stray too far.