Skeleton Tree by Kim Ventrella

Author:Kim Ventrella
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Officer Knokes apologized to Ms. Francine and climbed back into her patrol car. While everyone was in the hallway, showing her out, Stanly slipped the phone back in between the chair cushions. What was the point in having a camera if there wasn’t anything to take a picture of? His heart sank a little deeper in his chest.

“Most of these tips turn out to be false alarms,” she said over the crackle of the scanner. “Especially on Halloween.”

“It’s okay, we understand. These birthday parties can be dangerous things. Goodbye, now,” Ms. Francine said. She waved a clawed hand at Officer Knokes and led Jaxon and Uncle Morris back inside.

“What was that all about?” said Uncle Morris. “I don’t come to visit for six months, and now you’re hiding dead bodies on the premises?”

“We’re not hiding dead bodies. It was just a mistake,” Stanly said, the words tasting hollow in his mouth. “You heard her, they get false alarms all the time.”

“All right, I trust you. But if you’re planning to break the law again, warn me next time, okay? I’ve got priors.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Oh, a smart aleck and a criminal? Mom is gonna love this.”

“You’re not gonna tell her,” Stanly said, almost cracking a smile.

In response, Uncle Morris released the wettest, smelliest burp Stanly had ever witnessed.

“Probably not.” Uncle Morris winked. “Your secret life of crime is safe with me. Now, you and your sidekick over there … ” He pointed to Jaxon. “… come and help me hang these lights in the yard.”

“But it’s still daytime,” said Jaxon.

“For later, duh. Don’t make me burp on you again.”

“We’d better help him.” Jaxon looked at Uncle Morris’s mouth like it was a garbage can on the verge of exploding. “I think he means business.”

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