Playing with Fire Read Online Free PDF Page A

got shabby. Really gross, I hear.”
    â€œYou’re taking us to a run-down hotel?” Lily sounded horrified.
    â€œOf course not!” Angela laughed and snapped her gum, a gesture that reminded me of Lily. “This other guy, Grant Himoff, bought Helliman House about five years ago. Got it for a steal, I hear. He did major renovations. Top-notch. He’s trying to attract families with waterslides, boating, and game rooms.”
    She trained her gaze on us. “The key is that this Mr. Himoff cannot know what I’m really up to. I’m trusting that you girls can keep a secret.”
    Could I keep a secret? Bring it on! My list of secrets grew longer and longer every day.
    â€œUp ahead!” Mrs. Randazzo called from the driver’s seat.
    Lily and I craned our necks, searching the few gaps in the sky-high pine trees that lined the winding road and cast the car in shadow.
    Then a huge hotel appeared in a clearing before us.
    White clapboard gleamed in the brilliant afternoon sun. Hunter-green shutters sandwiched the numerous windows running the enormous length of the three-story building. A large deck extended along the front. Dark-green Adirondack chairs were angled for the best views of the majestic mountains.
    We drove up a circular drive. The front section of the hotel, though updated, was older, and the additions, which arched out from either side to form a horseshoe toward the back of the property, had been added more recently. Guests played croquet on the wide front lawn.
    â€œWelcome to Helliman House!” Two cute college-age guys dressed in white polo shirts and white pants greeted us as we tumbled out of the car.
    â€œHello, hello!” Angela chirped, settling her oversize cat’s-eye sunglasses over her eyes. “We’re checking in. Staying for five glorious days!”
    Even though it was for Angela’s job, she and Lily’smom were giddy about their getaway. They had left all the little kids with the dads.
    The blond guy opened the trunk to take our bags and tipped his head in surprise. Lily, Mrs. Randazzo, and I had each packed a small duffel. Angela traveled with five large matching hot-pink leather bags. I couldn’t guess what she was doing with all those clothes for five days in the mountains. That must come with the territory of being so stylish.
    Lily and I entered the lobby right behind her mom and aunt. A rustic wood reception desk lined one side, directly across from a magnificent old stone fireplace. Knotty pine furniture, clustered in intimate groupings, filled the room.
    â€œCheck that out.” Lily pointed out the windows along the back wall. A sloping green lawn dotted with white Adirondack chairs led down to a large pool with a towering waterslide. Beyond the pool lay a small marina with colorful sailboats, paddleboards, and shiny motorboats. Lake Hoby shimmered in the afternoon sun.
    â€œMom, can we go to the lake?” Lily asked.
    â€œIn a sec.” Mrs. Randazzo and Aunt Angela weregiving the young girl behind the desk, who wore a name tag that said SOFIA—HERE TO HELP , information to check into our rooms.
    Sofia was very peppy, asking Angela questions and handing her packets of information on hotel activities. Her mane of strawberry-blond curls bounced as she talked. “So you have two adjoining rooms. Shall I get separate card keys for all four of you?”
    â€œDefinitely!” Lily said. We wanted to be able to explore on our own.
    â€œThe hotel is so large,” her mom commented, staring at an illustrated map. “Where are we staying?”
    â€œLet’s see.” Sofia glanced at her computer. “Oh”—her perky smile vanished for a second, but she quickly composed herself—“you’re in the main building on the second floor.”
    Angela noticed Sofia’s falter. “Is that bad?”
    â€œNot at all. That’s the historic part. The original house. It’s