Killing Season

by Faye Kellerman

  “If I had my choice, I’d rather take you or Haley or even Lilly . . .” He looked at his sister. “Where is Lilly? I never see her anymore.”

  “We’re going shopping together this weekend for dresses.” She looked peevish. “She’s going with Ezra to morp. She has a life without me.”

  “I’m just used to seeing her, that’s all. No need to get snippy.”

  She stuck her tongue out. Laura’s eyes had turned wet. “Promise me you’ll try to have a good time. I know this isn’t your thing, Ben, but you won’t regret it. It’s what . . . you should be doing at your age.”

  Ben nodded, knowing exactly what she meant.

  This first time should have been Ellen’s moment. He was a piss-poor substitute, but he was all that Mom had.

  Lisa decided to do a modern twist on her usual garb. The dress was black lace but had an underlay of gold. Supersexy and contemporary and very short, like a baby-doll nightgown. Her long legs were encased in seamed stockings held up by a garter belt that peeked from under the micromini hemline. Her shoes were ultrahigh heels and they glittered like the stars.

  Ben complimented her. She complimented him. Her mom took pictures while criticizing Lisa’s dress (too short), her makeup (too much), and her hair (“you should have done an updo”). Had she been Ben’s mother, he would have taken drugs too. On the ride over, Lisa was sulky and silent.

  “You look great,” he told her.

  “Thanks.” She was fiddling with her hair, which had been tied in an elaborate braid. “My mom’s a bitch.” Her eyes were hot. “God, I can’t wait to get out of there ’cause it’s either I leave or I’ll commit homicide.”

  “If she meant to embarrass you in front of me, it didn’t work. You look superhot.” He parked the car and helped her out. “Take it from me as a guy: you couldn’t do any better.”

  “Should I have done an updo?”

  “You should let your hair loose. Guys love long hair.”

  She began to undo the braid, her carefully designed coif falling over her shoulders in waves.

  “Perfect,” Ben said. “Should we go in or would you like more time?”

  “I suppose we have to take the plunge.”

  Ben took her hand and together they walked inside. The gym wasn’t exactly transformed—it still smelled of sweat and dirty socks—but it did look festive. There was bunting and banners, there was colored lighting, and there was a disco ball. Onionfeather—the band—was dressed in retro suits with skinny ties: white jackets and black cuffed pants that showed their socks. There was a full-sized buffet table with desserts and punch and coffee. The dance floor was half filled with couples gyrating to terrible music. The guys were in rented tuxes and the girls glittered like tinsel. Ro was holding court near the coffee urn. JD had his arm around her waist. Ben sighed. The girl was an absolute knockout, wearing something long and slinky, with silver and gold threaded through it and a big slit that revealed a good deal of leg. The entire dress showed off that incredible body.

  “Balenciaga,” Lisa said.

  “Pardon?”

  “Ro’s gown. It’s designer. You can’t even get the label here. She must have bought it in New York or something. There’s one thing I can guarantee you: it must have cost a fortune.”

  “Waste of money.”

  “Not on her.” She turned to him. “You know she told us like the first week she came here that she was approached at sixteen to model for the Katy’s Intimates junior catalog. That’s lingerie, in case you didn’t know.”

  “Oh, I know all about Katy’s Intimates.”

  “I bet you do. But her mother didn’t want her to do it and then they moved to River Remez. She’s still bitter.”

  Ben laughed. “I . . . did not know that.”

  Lisa smoothed out her dress. “Some of us just have to be happy with the H&M catalog.” She raised her eyebrows and began pointing around the room. “That dress, that dress, and that dress. They’re from Forever 21. That one’s H&M. Those two are Ross Dress for Less—”

  “Lisa, you look hot. Let’s get our picture taken.”

  They waited in line for the photographer, and when they were done, Ro took Ben’s arm, glaring at Lisa while smiling at the same time. It was a feat. “My turn.”

  “Ro—”

  “Go ahead,” Lisa said. “You two look nice together.”

  “Thank you,” Ben said.

  Ro’s whisper was more of a growl. “I hate it when she’s nice. It means she’s planning on fucking you.”

  “Will you please stop?”

  “She looks like a blow-up doll.”

  “You’re nasty.”

  She said, “Where’s my corsage?”

  “In the trunk of my car.”

  “Go get it.”

  “I agreed to buy you a corsage that was bigger and better than Lisa’s. Which I did. But I didn’t agree to give it to you so you can embarrass her, which you’ve already done by looking so hot and classy. So you win, Ro. Can we all try to get through this civilly?”

  “As long as you agree that I’ve won.”

  When it was their turn in front of the camera, Ro turned on the fake wattage. When it was over, Ben said, “It’s no contest, okay.” He kissed her cheek and broke away, trying to find Lisa. But before he could get to her, JD cornered him near the popcorn machine.

  “Man, you don’t even have to take anything off,” he said. “Just slam her against the wall and shove it in.”

  “You have the soul of a poet.”

  “Get it while you can, dude. Girls get hot when you look fly.”

  “More penguin than fly.” Ben checked his watch. “How much longer?”

  “Around three hours.”

  “What the fuck do you do here for three hours?” When JD pulled out a plastic bag filled with dried vegetable material, Ben laughed. “Put it away, dude. You need that scholarship.”

  “They wouldn’t have the balls. I’m the finest thing that ever happened to this dump.” He looked around. “I lit up before I got here. Makes the food taste a hell of a lot better. The rest is for the after party. Believe me, Vicks, I’ve got a lot of tricks up my sleeve.” He smiled. “Are you gonna be there?”

  “Not a chance.”

  “She’s practically flashing you.” He furrowed his brow. “Tell me righteous, dude. Are you gay?”

  “Seriously? You’re really asking me that?”

  “Then why turn down pussy? Even if it’s not number one pussy, it’s still pussy. And she’s good, dude. She’s certainly had enough experience.”

  Ro was walking toward them. Ben smiled. “Have fun at the after party, but wear a condom. Oh right. I forgot. You carry those in your car just in case you want to fuck other guys’ girlfriends.”

  “Vicks—”

  “I’m just sayin’ . . .” He walked away and went looking for Lisa. She was happily chatting away with Shannon Stork. But she was perceptive. She took one look at his face and excused herself. “You okay?”

  “Just bored.”

  “Do you wanna dance?”

  The music was off-key and earsplittingly loud. “Sure, let’s dance.”

  “We can sit it out, Vicks.” She smiled. “Or we can sit out the entire prom.”

  “No, no . . .” Ben sighed. “I’m just being a jerk. Sure, let’s dance.”

  “Vicks, we can go. All I wanted to do was show up with you. This isn’t my idea of fun either.”

  “But they haven’t crowned the king and queen yet.”

  “Be still, my beating heart.”

  Ben laughed. “Do you really want to leave?”

  “I wouldn’t mind some air. It’s kind of stuffy in here.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.” Ben paused. “No tokes or snorts or pills, please. I’d like to graduate.”

  “I’m clean and sober.”

  “Perfect.” When they got outside, Lisa took his hand and started pulling him away from the gym. “Uh, what’s going on?”

  �
�Just come.”

  They crossed the quad, walking to the front of the school toward the administration building. “Where are we going exactly?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “I don’t like surprises.”

  “Well, you’ll like this one.” She took out a key and opened a door to the administration building. It was deserted and dark, but since there were windows to the parking lot, some lamppost illumination and starlight streamed through.

  “Uh, how’d you get a key to the school?”

  “I used to have a lot of friends with iffy ethics. Is it my fault that the stupid school never bothers to change their locks? C’mon!” She led him to the stairwell, and in near blackness, they climbed to the second floor.

  Ben had a sneaking suspicion where they were going. And when she turned right and left and zigzagged across the hallway, he knew. She stopped right in front of the math supply closet, took out another key, and opened the door.

  “Lisa, c’mon.”

  “You c’mon.”

  “No, this isn’t right.”

  “What are you afraid of?” She pushed him into the closet and closed the door. “I know you’re not gay.”

  “This isn’t right. It isn’t respectful.”

  “I know. It’s very sleazy.” She started fooling around with his tux’s zipper. “Listen to me, Vicks. I’m not doing it for you. I’m doing it for me. It’s important to me to give you a different memory—other than the unfortunate one, okay?”

  “Lisa, you don’t have to do this.”

  “But I want to do this.” She dropped to her knees, and in a matter of seconds, Ben’s “No, Lisas” became “Oh, Lisas.” It didn’t take long. Five minutes later they were in the dark hallway, alone, silent, and awkward. Instead of feeling relaxed, Ben was tense.

  Lisa, on the other hand, was very matter-of-fact. “I need a bathroom. Wait here, okay?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” He was on the floor, sitting against the hallway lockers. When she came out of the bathroom, she called his name.

  “Over here.”

  She looked around and sat by his side. Her breath had turned minty. She massaged his neck. “You okay?”

  “I’m fine.” He was suddenly annoyed. “I’m not a virgin, by the way.”

  “I know.”

  He turned to face her. “You girls yak with one another?”

  “All the time.”

  He was quiet. Then he said, “What’d she say about me?”

  “That you were big.” She patted his knee. “She wasn’t lying.”

  Ben’s face went hot. “What else did she say?”

  “Who listened? Ro was rubbing my nose in it because she knew I liked you. Well, the joke’s on her now.” Her eyes held his. “And don’t look so scared. I don’t expect anything from you, Vicks. All I wanted was bragging rights about nailing you.”

  “Shouldn’t I be bragging about nailing you?”

  “Nah.” She waved him off. “I’m easy. But you’re not.” She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I used to feel bad about it—being so . . . slutty. But then I found out that Shannon was not only doing JD when she was going with Weekly, she was also doing Salinez because she found out that Chelsea was doing Weekly. And then, of course, Ro did JD while she was going with you.” She shrugged. “I mean, if everyone is a skank, why be embarrassed?”

  “Your logic is impeccable.” Ben regarded her face. He lifted her chin and kissed her minty mouth. They started making out. The order of events was backward, but it felt nice, so what the hell.

  Lisa purred. “She also said you were a good kisser.”

  “Just good?”

  “Well, maybe she said great.” Her hands drifted to his crotch. “You want to do it? I mean really do it?”

  “No, no. This is fine.”

  “Your words don’t match other parts of you.”

  “That is true enough.” Ben pulled her hand away and kissed it very gallantly. “No, Lisa, although you are gorgeous and I am still horny, I will be a gentleman and pass. So remember this moment. There are nice guys in this world.”

  “You’re a dying breed.”

  “That is probably true but I’m not dead yet.”

  “Some other time, then, but don’t wait too long.” She sat up. “In a month I’m gone. My dad can’t wait for me to come and my mom can’t wait for me to go.”

  “Where’s your dad? Houston?”

  “Dallas. But I’ll be dorming at school. You should think about UT, Vicks. It’s not that far from New Mexico and Austin’s a great city.”

  “Yeah, it is a great city.”

  “Why are you hanging around here? You should be at MIT or Harvard.”

  Ben just laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing at all.” He took her hand and pulled her up. “Wanna go back to the gym before we both get expelled?”

  “Nah, let’s just get out of here for good. I’m hungry.”

  “Sure. Where do you want to go?”

  “Kiki’s. I want to run into Ro and let her know we were up to something.”

  “You girls are very catty.”

  “Vicks, that’s what prom is all about. Looking hot so the boys leer at you and the girls give you dirty looks. In that regard, I consider my senior prom a big, big success.” She kissed his nose. “And it’s all because of you.”

  “I am happy to have fulfilled your revenge fantasy.”

  “It wasn’t a fantasy, dude. I really did blow you.”

  Now, how do you respond to that? Ben laughed again. Hand in hand, they walked out of the school and toward the parking lot, which was filled to capacity. It took him a while to remember where he parked. When he found his wheels—the car had been blocked by a limo—he pulled out his keys. But as he got closer, Ben stopped dead and yanked Lisa back. Blood rushed to his brain. His heart was going haywire. “My tires are flat.”

  Lisa dropped his hand. “Wow.”

  Ben walked around the car. “All four of them.”

  “Someone pranked you—let the air out.”

  He knelt down and looked at the squashed rubber. “This isn’t a prank. They’re cut.”

  “What?” There was fear in Lisa’s voice. “You mean like someone slashed them?”

  “Yep. All four of them.” It kicked something into his brain. He felt his head go light. “Oh my God!”

  He took off toward the gym, did a U-turn, grabbed Lisa’s hand, and dragged her with him.

  “What’s wrong, Ben?”

  He didn’t answer. Couldn’t get the words out. When they arrived back inside, Ben scanned the room, but he couldn’t find Ro anywhere. He did see JD talking to Weekly and Salinez and ran up to them. “Where’s Ro?”

  “Hey, Vicks.” He was smirking. “How’d it go?”

  Apparently, his dread wasn’t apparent in the dim light. Ben grabbed JD’s shoulders tightly and enunciated very clearly. “Where? Is? Ro?”

  “In the bathroom or something. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Ben raced to the girls’ bathroom and flung open the door. There were a few gasps and a few screams, but he saw her in a corner, talking to Shannon while putting on lipstick. Before he could get a word out, she was glaring at him. “Where’ve you been?”

  Ben hugged her tightly. Lisa followed him inside. He was about to offer an explanation, but horror seized his insides. He began to shake as he took out his cell and called home. Thank God for speed dial. He was sure that he couldn’t have come up with his own phone number right then. Haley answered and relief washed over him.

  “Where are you?” he shouted into his cell.

  “Uh, you called me,” she answered.

  “Are Mom and Dad home?” Someone asked him to leave the girls’ bathroom. Ben took the conversation outside. To Haley, he said, “Mom and Dad are home, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Lock the doors and don’t open them, no matter what.” He heard a voice in the ba
ckground. “Who’s there with you? Griff?”

  “For your information, it happens to be Lilly. We’re looking at dresses in the fashion mags for morp.”

  “Lilly’s there? Even better. She’s sleeping over, right?”

  “Yeah, of course.” A pause. “Ben, what’s going on?”

  “I’ll call you later.” He hung up.

  Ro emerged from the bathroom. “What is wrong with you?”

  Lisa said, “Someone slashed all the tires on his car.”

  Ro gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. The color drained from her face. “Slashed? Like with a knife?”

  “Yeah, like with a knife.”

  Lisa said, “Ben, you need to call the police.”

  Ro said, “Ben, call Shanks.”

  Call Shanks.

  His thoughts exactly.

  Chapter 7

  There seemed to be as many people around the car as there were inside the gym. A gaggle of girls had gathered in a circle, worried looks on their faces, rubbing each other’s arms to keep warm and yakking away with one another. The guys chose to say nothing. Instead they walked around the car, examining the situation, nodding as if they were having profound thoughts. Ben distanced himself and made phone calls. Within a half hour, he had a genuine powwow: Mom and Dad, Haley and Lilly, two squad cars from the River Remez Police, the girls’ and boys’ VPs, and the school’s illustrious, fuming principal, Mr. Beltran.

  “Whoever did this is not going to get away with it!” He too was orbiting the car, eyeing the damage. “Not on my watch.” He looked at Ben. “You have no idea who did this?”

  Of course he had an idea. But he wasn’t going to share it. “It was probably random, sir.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. “I’m never in school anymore. Who’d even care about me enough to piss me off?”

  “Well, we’ll see about that.”

  As soon as Ben saw Sam’s car pull up, he knew he was in for it. Shanks stormed through the yellow crime-scene ribbon and surveyed the compromised car. After a thorough look at four flat pieces of rubber, he said, “What do you know about this?”

  Ben threw up his hands.

  “Don’t give me that bullshit.”

  “Talk about blaming the victim.”