The Dark Stairs R/I Read Online Free

couldn’t believe her ears. “What?”
    â€œIt doesn’t concern you.”
    â€œOf course it concerns me. The man was in my house. He made threats against my friend—”
    â€œThe less you know about this, the better.”
    â€œMom! Meat wanted to come in and listen through the heat vents. I said, ‘No.’ I said that you were very open with me. I said that was one of the best things about you. I said I didn’t have to eavesdrop like other kids because you would tell me anything I wanted to know.”
    Her mother smiled a tired smile. “Well,” she said with a shrug, “this time you were wrong.”
    â€œYou’re not going to tell me?”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œBut, Mom, maybe I could help you.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
    â€œMom, I really helped on your last case. I was the stakeout at the mall. If I had not been at the mall, you would never have located the Ryans’ daughter. And—”
    â€œThis is a different kind of thing. I don’t want you involved.”
    â€œI do not believe this. You know what you’re teaching me to do, don’t you? Eavesdrop.”
    Mrs. Jones braced herself on the desk and stood. She glanced down and brushed some lint from her black pantsuit.
    â€œYou and Dad are teaching me to be a sneak. First he won’t tell me what’s going on at Dead Oaks and now you—”
    â€œWhat about Dead Oaks?”
    â€œDad was there this afternoon.”
    â€œWhat was he doing?”
    â€œHow would I know? Nobody tells me anything.”
    Herculeah’s mother started into the hall. The cat, alerted by the activity, jumped down from Herculeah’s lap. Herculeah got up and followed her mother. She changed her tactics. “Well, can I ask you one question?”
    â€œYou can ask.”
    â€œWhen you file this case in your filing cabinet, will you file it under M—for murder?”

6
    HUSH MONEY
    Herculeah watched in silence as her mother shrugged into her coat and picked up her briefcase. Her mother didn’t answer.
    â€œAnd is it also a big secret where you’re going?”
    â€œI’m going to the police station. I need to check on something.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œOh, here. Here’s some money, Herculeah. What were you going to get? Oh, binoculars. And didn’t you say something about eyeglasses?”
    She reached into her purse and brought out her wallet. She handed Herculeah a ten-dollar bill. Then, after a moment’s thought, she added another ten.
    â€œThis is bribery,” Herculeah said, eyeing the money. “You’re just doing this to get rid of me.”
    â€œI’m doing this because I want you to have the binoculars and whatever else you mentioned.”
    Herculeah didn’t take the money, and her mother, smiling a little, reached out and tucked the bills into the pocket of Herculeah’s jeans.
    Her mother went out the door, and Herculeah followed her onto the sidewalk. Meat came around the side of the house with his hand over his heart.
    â€œHe saw me,” he told Herculeah. Then to her mother, “Mrs. Jones, that guy saw me.”
    â€œI wouldn’t worry about him,” Herculeah’s mom said as she unlocked the car. “He’s got more important things on his mind.”
    â€œI said that I was looking for my dog, but I don’t think he believed me.”
    Her mother turned. “Get your own supper, Herculeah. I might be late.”
    She drove off, and Herculeah and Meat stood watching the car until it disappeared.
    â€œWho is he? Did you find out?”
    â€œShe wouldn’t tell me. She gave me this.” Herculeah pulled out the twenty dollars. “It was like hush money—money to shut me up.”
    Meat regarded the money. “So, what are you going to do?”
    â€œI guess I’ll go get the stupid binoculars and glasses,”