Dead and Breakfast Read Online Free

shorts were still soaked. They dripped water on Autumn’s shoes. Liam glanced down at the puddle on the old wood floor. “Sorry about that.”
    “No, I’m sorry. I should be more careful where I walk.”
    Well, he couldn’t argue with that. There was an awkward silence before Evelyn cleared her throat.
    Liam suddenly felt the need to cover himself up. “Can I borrow a dry shirt?” He wasn’t sure who would offer to help. Timothy was so lean, Liam imagined ripping one of his shirts Incredible Hulk-style.
    Luckily, Aunt Glenda barreled around the corner. A navy polo shirt with thin white stripes on the collar and sleeves lay draped over her arm. She held the shirt out to Liam. “It belonged to Duncan. You kids would call it vintage now.”
    Liam hesitated to accept the shirt. Pops told him how the old lady felt about her dead husband. He would’ve preferred a simple, white cotton T-shirt so he could slink back to work with dignity or out the front door never to return. He couldn’t believe he had fallen into the pool. It’s crazy to think I was dragged in. Ghosts don’t exist and they definitely don’t drown people. Right? His headed pounded as if a coal miner had taken a pickax to his skull.
    Liam turned his body away from the prying eyes and slipped the polo shirt, which smelled faintly of mothballs and mildew, over his head. He smoothed the shirt’s hem over his hips and then looked up to see Timothy, Autumn, Evelyn, and Glenda all watching him curiously. His skin crawled under their gaze. I bet they’re thinking I’m just another Breyer loser. Liam wondered if this job was worth the awkwardness.
    Glenda gently placed her hand on Liam’s shoulder. “You probably should just go home.”
    Liam wasn’t prepared to be fired. But part of him knew to expect it.
    “Don’t worry,” Glenda said kindly. “I’ll still pay you for a full day. You come back tomorrow when you’ve had a good rest.”
    “Oh, okay,” Liam said, surprised. So he wasn’t being fired. He still felt reluctant. He wasn’t sure he was comfortable taking the old lady’s money without finishing the work. “I’ll make up the hours tomorrow.”
    Glenda smiled broadly and clapped. “Wonderful. I must say, in that shirt, you look just like—” but before she could finish, there was a strange rattle and a loud crack.
    “Watch out!” Autumn cried, just before she rammed Liam into the reception desk. His back stung from the force. A brass chandelier crashed down onto the floor, right where he had stood.
    “Jesus!” cried Evelyn as she stared up at the ceiling. She whirled to Liam. “Are you all right?”
    For a moment, her concern touched Liam until he realized she was probably only worried about a lawsuit. He nodded.
    “How the hell did that happen?” Evelyn asked, breathless.
    Everyone followed Evelyn’s gaze, except for Liam. He’d had enough of this place. He didn’t care what strings or favors Pops had called in; he wasn’t coming back here. Not ever.
    Evelyn stared at the broken chandelier, which sat on the floor in a heap of brass. She clucked her tongue. “How much do you think that’s going to cost to replace?”
    Glenda clutched her chest. “That chandelier’s been in the house for decades.” She frowned at Liam, grabbed a paper bag from the reception desk, and shoved it into his hands. “Here. Take some of Cora’s cookies for your grandfather. They’re key lime. Her specialty.” Glenda’s voice trembled as she pushed him toward the door.
    “Okay.” Liam tried to catch his breath. He wanted to tell the old lady that he’d return the shirt, but he knew that wasn’t likely to happen.
    Glenda waved him out the door. Liam didn’t need to be told a second time. On his way out, Evelyn hissed, “That boy is bad luck. We should hire someone else.”
    “Pish, Evie. His grandfather and my Duncan were close friends,” said Glenda. “Besides, the poor boy was attacked.” He didn’t wait to hear the