Free Hidden Vices by C.J. Carpenter Page B

small-town living, I suppose.”
    Megan attempted to not appear too interested, but she had to ask: “How did her mother die?”
    The two women looked at one another, rolling their eyes and answering in tandem, “Good question. Word was she hung herself, but …”
    Megan squinted. “There must be a coroner’s report, right?”
    â€œShe was cremated within an hour of being found. Found by Vivian,” Jo answered.

    As Megan walked back to the Macks’ house, it was now clear the light snow had taken a dramatic turn—becoming a storm while she enjoyed dinner. The moment she approached the driveway she regretted not leaving the garage door open so she could use the stairs to get back down to the house.
    â€œGreat,” Megan moaned. Taking baby steps and keeping one hand on the wall of the garage was as helpful as holding on to a breaking icicle on a steep mountain. Her second step down the driveway was her last. One minute she was standing, the next she was staring up at the evening sky. She flew down the black ice like a hockey puck on its way to the goalie. There wasn’t even time to scream it all happened so fast. Moaning from the bounce off the aluminum fence, she groaned. “You bastard. Bastard ice.”
    After a few moments of ensuring that nothing was broken but her pride, Megan lifted herself up on her elbows. She laughed. “I would give myself a score of nine-point-eight.” She sat up, looked around for her wallet. It was still in her fist. “I take that back. Nine-point-nine.” She twisted from side to side checking she hadn’t pulled anything in her back—nothing wrong, as far as she could tell after a few drinks. She pulled herself up using the fence and was surprised to see the upper level of the judge’s home lit. As quick as the light caught her eye, it winked out. Megan stood as still as the freezing night air. Waiting. Watching. Seconds later a light turned on, nothing as overt as the first, moving erratically from room to room. Up, down, in circles. A flashlight.
    What are you looking for? she thought. One or two minutes passed by Megan’s estimation, and the house turned dark again. Curious. She made her way into the house and called Callie at Krogh’s. It took a moment for him to come to the phone.
    â€œCallie? It’s Megan.”
    â€œHey, gorgeous. What’s up?”
    â€œI just have a quick question, I know you’re probably busy.”
    â€œSure, what’s up?”
    â€œIs Vivian working tonight?”
    â€œUm, yeah. Why?”
    Megan had to come up with something fast. “Oh, good, well, do you mind giving her my number and having her text me when she gets a chance? I slipped on the ice tonight and could really use a massage.” Megan stared down at the phone, impressed with her instantaneous fabrication.
    Did I lie this easily when I was a teenager? Probably.
    â€œAre you okay? Do you want me to come over?” Callie asked.
    â€œNo, it’s nothing, but I’m sure I’ll feel it at some point.”
    That actually wasn’t a lie, as she was already feeling a tightness in her back. It was a reprieve, in her mind’s eye, for lying to a friend.
    â€œOkay, no problem.”
    Megan gave Callie her cell number and quickly said goodbye. She let Dog out and stood at the door, keeping an eye on Judge Campbell’s home. The lights were now off, and they stayed that way until a few nights later, when Megan’s curiosity would definitely earn her the nickname Trouble.

Thirteen
    It was too early to go to bed, not that Megan would be able to sleep. She found not one but two emergency medical kits and, thankfully, a heating pad in the Macks’ cabinet. She made use of both. She bandaged a cut on her wrist from her human luge sans sled down the driveway, and plugged in the heating pad. She sat petting Dog and found herself speaking aloud to him while staring into the