Dead Letter by Byars Betsy

Author:Byars, Betsy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PENGUIN group
Published: 2010-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

15

FORTUME COOKIES

“So, Dad,” Herculeah said, “I was hoping you’d wear that tie. It’s my favorite.”

“Actually, it’s my third favorite.”

“You’ve only got three.”

“Four, if you count the Snoopy tie you gave me last Christmas.”

“Which you never wear.”

Herculeah and her father were in a Chinese restaurant, waiting for their food to be served. Herculeah did not want to talk about ties. Her only interest was the note that had been in the lining of her coat, but now she felt reluctant to discuss it. She was sure her father would sense she was too interested and would make her promise not to get involved.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t at the precinct when you called yesterday, Herculeah. Was it anything important?”

“No, not really.”

“DiAngelo said you sounded upset.”

“Well, I was, a little.”

“So?”

“Well, something happened that afternoon that sort of bothered me.”

“Such as?”

“You aren’t going to like this.”

Her father looked less relaxed. He sat up straighter. “You haven’t found another body, have you, Herculeah?”

Herculeah tried to ignore her father’s disapproving tone. It wasn’t her fault she’d discovered poor Madame Rosa murdered, or almost fallen on a body in that abandoned house, Dead Oaks.

“No.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

She added, “At least I hope not.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just what it says.”

“Go on.”

“Well, you remember that money you gave me?”

“Yes, I remember the money I gave you. You called me up and said, ‘Do you have any extra money?’ Herculeah, nobody has extra money. There’s no such thing as extra money. Even millionaires—”

“Don’t give me the extra-money lecture. This is too important.”

“Well, get on with it.”

“I went into this store called Hidden Treasures. It’s where I buy most of my stuff—my binoculars came from there and those little round glasses that help me think—but this time something drew me to the coat-rack, which surprised me because I do not need a coat. Nobody I know even wears coats. Everybody wears jackets.”

“Are we at the important part yet?”

“We’re getting there. Dad, I was drawn to this coat. I put it on and it fit perfectly. I took it to Meat’s to show him, and he said it makes me look Russian—did you think so?”

“I’m not up on Russian fashion.”

“Anyway, I noticed there was a piece of paper caught in the lining of the coat. I got it out and it was really ... well, it scared me. That’s why I called you.”

“What did the note say?”

“It was written by a woman and she said somebody was going to kill her.”

“Where is the note?”

The note was in Herculeah’s pocket, but for some reason she was hesitant about bringing it out.

“What did the note say—exactly?”

Herculeah sighed. She felt she was making a mistake, but she pulled out the note.

“Read it for yourself,” she said. She pushed the piece of paper across the table.

Her father read the note and looked up at her, his expression serious. “And you found this in the lining of the coat?”

“Yes.”

“Where’d you buy the coat?”

“I told you—Hidden Treasures.”

“Did the woman who sold you the coat know where it

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.