I squeezed through a horde of gum-snapping girls I recognized as seniors from my school.
“He did not say that!”
“Yes, he did! And you wouldn’t believe what she said!”
Please, someone tell me I wouldn’t be that annoying if I had girlfriends.
“Sure, you will be.”
I whipped around and nearly got a faceful of cotton candy. I moved the purple sugar cloud to the side and glared at my mother. She wore a white, short-sleeved blouse and a patchwork skirt.
“You have to stop listening in on my thoughts without my permission, Mom. It’s not cool.”
She shoved a piece of cotton candy in my mouth to shut me up. “I didn’t do it on purpose, Clarity. I was strolling along listening in to the crowd.”
“Pick up anything interesting?”
“Actually, I did. That detective’s son can’t stop checking out your legs. He loves this little pink dress you’ve got on. So much so that he’s actually mad at himself for it.” She shook her head.
I blushed. “Did you happen to pick up anything important?”
“Like a man walking along thinking, ‘I killed Victoria Happel’?”
“Exactly.”
“No such luck. But dear, people don’t wander around thinking about their biggest secrets all the time. The killer could be standing right next to me and all I might pick up from him is how he wants to buy some barbequed chicken.”
“Have you seen Billy Rawlinson or Frankie Creedon?” I asked.
Distaste turned her mouth down. “No. Why are you looking for those scoundrels?”
“Billy might be a witness in the case. Or a suspect.”
“I’ll keep my eyes out and my mind open.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Enjoy invading everyone’s privacy.

Author: Kim Harrington