Free Pretty Witches All in a Row by Lisa Olsen Page A

at the bottom and no fewer than three visible shirts of varying lengths in shades of alternating black and red.  Brown eyes that mirrored his own were heavily lined with dark gunk, and lips stained a vibrant shade of red.  Veronica looked as if she was dressed to go to a club instead of sitting at home doing her homework.  Though Nick had to consider; better to have her dressed for clubbing and home doing her homework than dressed like a librarian and out all hours of the night doing God knows what.
    “Hi Daddy,” she called out without turning around.
    Surprised, he set his briefcase down on the table opposite her.  “I didn’t think you knew I was there,” he yelled over the music.
    “Please, I could feel you standing there watching me.”
    “What if it hadn’t been me?  What if I was a robber or worse?  Then it wouldn’t make much sense to leave me standing there with your back turned,” he taunted her, but in a way he was serious.  A girl at home alone, he hoped he’d raised her to have a little more self preservation than that. 
    “Then turning around and freaking out wouldn’t have changed a whole lot by the time he’s right behind me, would it?” she pointed out, her head tilting to one side.  “Besides, I saw your reflection in the window when you came in, I knew it was you the whole time.”
    “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?”
    “I didn’t want to miss out on lecture number twelve, it’s been overdue,” she grinned cheekily.
    A shake of the head was given, but a smile was on Nick’s face as he shrugged out of his suit coat.  The music seemed to swell even louder, drawing his attention to the lyrics that sang about dying, killing and stealing for you.
    “What is this?”  His finger came up, pointing to the air around them.
    “Garbage,” Veronica replied, head bobbing again.
    “I know, but who sings it?”
    A drawn out roll of the eyes was given, and she fixed him with the look before answering.  “That’s the name of the group.  Garbage.”  She grabbed the remote and lowered the volume.  “You know, they did that theme song to the James Bond movie you liked?”
    “Hey, who am I to argue,” he shrugged, an amused smile on his lips.
    “Ha, ha.”  Rising from the table, she brought her empty glass to the kitchen sink.  “You missed dinner again.”
    “I know, I’m sorry, sweetie.  First day of the case, you know how it is.  What did you make?”
    “Coq au vin…” she replied with a flourish, opening the fridge.  “Only the leftovers look more like ham sandwiches,” Veronica grinned, pulling a ready plate out and depositing it on the table before him. 
    “Ah, my little budding gourmet.  This looks fantastic, thanks honey,” he smiled up at her.  
    “So, what kind of case is it this time?  Jilted lover?  Disgruntled business partner?” Veronica asked, setting down a tall glass of iced tea.
    “Not really sure yet.  The victim was stabbed and then the place was set on fire to try and mask the crime.”
    “Wow,” her eyes widened.  “That’s one you don’t hear every day.”  Nick nodded, his mouth occupied with chewing.  “So who would want to kill him?  Or is it a her?”
    “Her,” Nick clicked open the briefcase and drew out the smiling picture of Skye. 
    “Aw…”  Veronica’s forehead creased sympathetically.  “She doesn’t look like she could hurt a fly.” 
    “And according to friends and family, everybody loved her.”
    “Jealous boyfriend,” she stated with a definitive nod, setting the picture down.
    “You think?” 
    “Sure, why not?  I mean look at her, she had to have a boyfriend, and with that smile I’m thinking she got hit on a lot.  Maybe the boyfriend couldn’t take it?  You know, if I can’t have you, no one else will?”  Her eyes lit up as she warmed to the theory.
    “It sounds like you’ve got it all sewn up.  I guess I can close up shop and forget the rest of the