Free Pumpkin Roll by Josi S. Kilpack Page A

thing. The dog was hit by a car two days later right in front of her house. I didn’t make a big deal about it to the boys, but Kalan did ask a lot of questions.”
     
    “And you think she has . . . supernatural powers that caused the accident?”
     
    “Yeah, I guess I do,” Heather said as though apologizing. “I grew up close to the reservation and there was always a lot of talk about spirits and hexes and black magic, or bad medicine. I’ve never had the luxury of not believing in another realm, and Mrs. Wapple is exactly the kind of person who would invite that type of energy. The fact is, she said the dog would die and it did.”
     
    “Hmmm,” Sadie said, vastly uncomfortable with Heather’s thoughts on the subject. “Well, that’s certainly something to think about. I haven’t seen the angry side of her, or the . . . uh, witchy side, but I am worried about her.”
     
    “Well, maybe it’s worth calling social services or something. I’m the last one to say she doesn’t need help—witch or not.”
     
    “That’s not a bad idea,” Sadie said, nodding to herself while the boys laughed at something in the other room. “Thanks for the information. I’m glad you’ve had a good trip. Like I said, the boys are doing great, so don’t worry about them a bit.”
     
    “Oh, I’m not worried,” Heather said. “I miss my little men, but it’s the first time Jared and I have gone anywhere just the two of us since he started medical school, and we’re enjoying that an awful lot.”
     
    She thanked Sadie for helping out; Sadie humbly refused the thanks, insisting it was her pleasure—which it certainly was. Heather promised to call tomorrow after Kalan got home from school, and a few minutes later, they said good-bye. Sadie hung up, her eyes finding the bag with the hat hanging on the back door.
     
    Pete’s hand on her shoulder startled her. “Somebody’s jumpy,” he said, passing her on his way to the cupboard by the phone. It held the local phone book, pens and pencils, and a few different pads of paper. Pete grabbed one of the notebooks and flipped through it until he came to a blank page.
     
    “What are you doing?” Sadie asked, noting that he seemed lighter . . . no, he seemed determined. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and smiled at her.
     
    “Making a few calls,” he said as though she would be satisfied with such a paltry explanation.
     
    “About Mrs. Wapple?”
     
    Pete shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt to know a little more about what we’re dealing with. A guy I used to work with in Colorado Springs was from the Rhode Island PD originally. He might know someone who could do a little research for me—off the record, of course. I mentioned to Jared about putting in some eyebolts, but he said he has to clear it with his landlord and he thinks I’m being cop-dad.” He shrugged off the comment. “Anyway, I hope he’ll get back to us on that soon. It would sure make me feel better.”
     
    Sadie nodded and relaxed, relieved that Pete was doing something real, something solid, something logical. Why couldn’t she do the same thing? She thought about her cute little laptop in her room. She didn’t have Pete’s connections, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have some tricks of her own. The house was run-down and the furniture was used, but Jared had excellent Internet service and a wireless router that Sadie very much appreciated.
     
    “I’ll race ya,” she said, glancing at the clock. “The movie has an hour to go and then the boys will need lunch. Let’s meet back here in forty-five minutes and compare notes.”
     
    Pete smiled, a genuine smile this time. They were on the case, together. This was Pete’s comfort zone and Sadie was now a part of that. She liked that very much.
     
    He started toggling through his phone and gave her a wink. “You’re on.”
     

Chapter 8
     

     
     
     
    Okay,” Sadie said, popping a Froot Loop in her mouth as she and