Spain Has Secrets, Elizabeth A. [the top 100 crime novels of all time txt] 📗

out on the front porch with a cup of coffee and Paul. Dad was ranting. Jamie Stole barcelona to do some things. So I Went on a journey for fun or at least a task from someone, anyone. "Kathrin always becomes so crazy when theres a party. I just need to escape for an hour or two." They both turned to me as I step over the creaky metal high rise border on the double front doors. "Hey dad, mom says it's time for you to get fitted. Paul, your mom would like you to help her in the kitchen." Paul started grumbling how come his mom had to make him beat all the dough. Dad started telling him to 'get over it'. There it was again that "get over it," saying. I ran out to the store to buy gifts for my siblings, mom, dad, Paul, and Barcelona. The town was dead except for the shops and a few last minute shoppers. I gave quick nods and "morning's". By the time I got back dad was back talking with paul on the porch, it seems as though the porch is their safe haven. "Jasper, the taylor's waiting for you upstairs." Dad warned. "yeah and Barcelona's helping your mom with music." Paul was gonna get it when ever today ended. I quietly tip toed past my mom and barcelona. "Hi Jasper. Have fun?" Barcelona's voice was like a knife. "Just some last minute shopping." I hurried up the stairs three at a time.
I was never not amazed at how Cole always finished before his deadline. Cole, the blacksmith, had not only finished the bracelet for Jamie, The earings for mom, but the necklace for Barcelona too. I also got Paul a new skateboard and dad a new set of Shaulders to replace the ones I broke about three years ago and for Edgar I got him a new video game. I silently hoped Barcelona would like the necklace, simple silver chain with a onyx surrounded by small rubies.

Later, All suited up and bored out of my mind, the guests began to arrive. Still haven't even seen Barcelona in hours or Jamie. So I decided to have a little fun. I began to swiftly look for dad or at least Edgar. I passed mom, Paul stopped me. "Dude, You seen your sister? I wanted to ask her something." I began to wonder what on earth he wanted to ask her. I shook my head. "I guess that means you haven't seen Barcelona?" He shook his head. Last thing I wanted to see. My Tuxedo was black and I wore a burgandy tie. Paul wore a forest green one. My dad had been wearing a dark violet one. Mom wandered away right when I was going to ask her why dad's tie was purple. She hadn't once been seen by the guests.


The taylor pinched and proded me with the sewing needle. I hadn't had a chance to look at myself yet. I saw Mrs. Princelove, Jasper's mom. She slipped into a beautiful violet dress.Long enough to cover her entire lower half and still drape. Long and far more flowy than the dress I was wearing earlier. too flowy, fake flowy. To me anyway. It had gold detailing, they formed little snowflakes and then they morphed into larger gold rope designed straps that wrapped around her waist. She placed long matching gloves on her hands, They reached up almost to her shoulders.Jamie slipped into hers. Long and her's had more of a smoke screen cover to it. The dark green was far to elegant for Jamie's behavior. She fit her hands into gloves. Long enough to reach past her elbows. They were light blue, almost torquise colored, details in which formed butterflies and flowers, There was a hint of pink in the flowers. The dress ended right before her feet. I still couldn't see myself.

I wondered what was taking mom so long. She emerged and grasped dad's arm. Jamie hustled down and disappeared. Edgar raised an eyebrow. "Jasper Your love awaits you upstairs. Go, fetch her will you?" finally. I rushed up the back stairs. I went to my room first. She was beautiful. She wore a Dark burgandy dress that was just the right combination of flowy, elegant, and her. The sleeves were long, the dress had black details, they were swirls, that morphed into a dark under layer of black sheets under the top layers of smoky red creating the perfect shade of burgandy. The knit gloves she wore were small yet graceful, the dress fell to the floor. Her hair was loose. "Barcelona... Are you gonna make it to the ball room or am I gonna have to stop half way out the door and comfort you?" She turned to me. The dress shifted perfectly with her. She was smiling. I took her hand. Wool gloves and polyester sleeves. The dress was polyester top and what looked like satin on the lower half. A black lace trim seperated the fabrics, it also framed her neck and the ends of the sleeves. I walked her down to the ball room. grand and decorated with tons of elegantly simple christmas decorations. An eruption of clapping awaited us. It shocked us both. "The lovely couple is charming." I heard the voice echo off the walls. It was low and graceful. I couldn't name the person at the moment. Barcelona was serious when the applause errupted, but this voice made her smirk, not her usual smile just a sneaky, mysterious smirk and it kind of creaped me out. "Gradon, It feels like forever." Him, the guy from the other kingdom. "Their's a side to you that I never knew..." Everyone was dead silent. "What do you mean my dear friend?" Dad cut in. "She's smirking. She's hiding something from me. I don't know what. I know because of that smirk..." the moments dragged on. "Oh it's nothing. It's just... you missed me." His eyes widened in suprise at her words. "Barcelona are you reading my mind?" She shook her head. "Then how on earth did you know that." everything they said was wispered, but the silence of the room enhanced the voices to a louder state. "Your fingering one of my old florentines." The words rolled off her tongue and every 'r' that came off her smooth lips was purred. "Oh, this... I guess I just thought you wouldn't notice." Amber was silent as she was draped on his arm like some kind of ornament. Her smile looked plastic, but that was Amber. Always 'looked' fake, yet always real. I turned to find Jamie trying to steal Barcelona away already. They ran off, and a few minutes later they were walking down the stairs in red santa dresses with hats on. Barcelona had a pouch attached to her waist and Jamie had a small shoulder bag. They were singing. God, My cheeks got so hot I thought I might pass out. She wouldn't do something like this. She started circling me and I realized a little to late she was singing for me. She ran her hands along my waist. She fixed my tie and she handed me a small box. I opened it. A small necklace stuck out at me. the chain was silver and the pendant said one simple word, "Eternidad" I didn't understand it. Jamie handed me one after everyone settled down and the song was long gone. A single onyx incrested earing. designed for men.

Barcelona had loved the gift. So much so that she had actually started to cry at one point, which made me feel kind of creaped out. We were settling down for sleep when she asked," If you ever had the chance to go anywhere, where would you go?" That made no sense," I can all ready go anywhere I want." Her face was a dark blob in the blackness of the room."Metaphorically speaking..." I thought this over a long minute," Anywhere your at is where I would want to go." I heard her laugh and then she stopped, "No, really. where? Alaska, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Italy?" I couldn't even keep up with her. "Wait, let me answer Barcelona... let's see... I don't want to be mauled by a bear in my sleep and have no one find me till after valentines day, so there goes Alaska... I don't speek Japanese so I would die out there... Mexico is a little too into drugs so that's a no... I don't eat garlic so bye bye Italy... and Russia is full of communists so again no thanks... although i always have wondered what Romania is like. " She giggled everytime I explained why I wouldn't want to go somewhere. "Been there. It isn't as fun when you go there twice. I always wanted to see Ireland." I couldn't help but ask, "Why Ireland and not Scotland? Or have you been there too?" A long moment of silence rang on. "Yes, actually. I have been there and to say it was funny watching the men dance in kilts is an understatement... Good night." She yawned and was gone. I grabbed a book and began to read.


"WAKE UP JASPER! COME ON! MOM SAID I CAN'T GO OUT AND PLAY UNTIL YOU AND BARCELONA ARE UP AND READY TO GO!" Edgar bounced and jumped and at a time tried to slap me awake. All the while Barcelona snuck around Edgar getting ready. She had on a pretty green dress. It was just long enough to cover right above her knees. It had that nine-teen fifty kind of flare at the bottom of the dress. It was long sleeve and she pulled on some black stockings and black sneakers. After words she pulled her hair through her brush and she took up a perched look on the edge of the bed. "Edgar you do know he won't be able to get ready if your hugging onto him like the last leaf to a tree in the middle of January, don't you?" Edgar finally got off of me and pulled my arm till I was in my closet. "GET READY!" Such a weird child to be related to, but no shame in him waking me up when I could tackle him and watch him disappear into the snow. I had a feeling Jamie might aim for my head. So naturally I reached for my grey ski knit cable hat. I pulled on a long sleeve white shirt and some dark grey jeans, then I slipped my white nikes on and grabbed my grey coat. This was gonna be fun. Barcelona had a red coat. It somehow didn't suprise me all the green in the closet. The color usualy looked good on her. The large mass of red shades and hues did frighten me though. They look good on her but the darker shades did give that mysterious and deadly look to her. Gladly most of the colors in her wardobe were much darker than Jamie and kathrin's palette. We walked down the hall and sat down for breakfast. YES! Bacon, toast, eggs, and a glass of 'juice'. "Edgar, you know staring is considered rude?" I felt his big fat head turn and his evil maniac I-can-not-wait-to-pumble-you-infront-of-Barcelona stare began to burn a hole into the side of my head. "DO YOU MIND?!" He just stared, "No I don't mind waiting." Sometimes it's just so hard not to beat the crap out of this kid. I mean, yeah, I get he wants to go play in the snow and he's only eleven, but seriously? He has to watch me eat in anticipation. "Ugh..." An idea sprung in my head. "you know what? How about you go get Jamie to get ready. Who ever finishes first wins. Us eating breakfast or Jamie getting dressed? Sound fun while you wait?" his eyes glittered