Nicole's eyes lit up. “So, it could do lots more stuff we don't know about."
"Yeah,” I said, trying to stifle a huge yawn.
Despite the overload of caffeine coursing through my veins, I was fading fast. I slumped over my plate of food, my chin dipping perilously close to congealing egg yolk.
Melissa noted my condition. “Sleep first. Then, we'll figure out what to do next."
She ordered the twins to bed. Nicole headed for the stairs.
Beck didn't move. “I'm staying with Allie."
"No way,” Melissa said.
They engaged in a stare-down not unlike Faye and me in one of our epic battles. Melissa caved after the third time Beck said, “I'm not leaving."
She patted his cheek. “Guess I don't need to worry. Allie's dead on her feet and Beck, in spite of what you think, I do trust you. I know you won't take advantage of her."
Oooh, sneaky, I thought. Must be how normal mothers operate instead of yelling.
Melissa led me to the couch in the living room and tucked me under a fluffy down comforter. Beck sprawled in a nearby recliner. Melissa reached for the lamp to douse the light, her hand hovering over the switch.
My eyelids drooped even though I still felt Melissa's presence. Semi-conscious, I wondered if I was breaking some cardinal rule of hostess-houseguest etiquette. Was she waiting for me to say good night? Say my prayers? Engage in conversation? What? Too weary to think about it, I pulled the comforter up to my nose and closed my eyes.
"Allie.” Melissa's voice was low and right next to my ear. “Are you still wearing Beck's cross?"
I pried my eyes open and nodded.
"Do you mind if I give it back to him? I have another one for you. Might as well cover all the bases."
With great effort, I lifted my head. She removed Beck's cross, then fastened another one around my neck.
She rose, crossed to Beck and dropped a kiss on his forehead before leaving the room. Just before I tumbled into a deep, dreamless sleep, I clutched both the moonstone and cross in my hand. A surge of energy not unlike a mild electric shock shot through me, and I visualized my body wrapped in an impenetrable force field. My last conscious thought was, Allie, you are safe.
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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ba-Bump ... Ba-Bump ... Ba-Bump. Wonderfully, blissfully warm, I awoke slowly to the sound of a slow, steady heartbeat. Mine? Struggling upward through thick layers of sleep, I became increasingly aware that I was not alone in my bed. I opened one eye and found I was snuggled up against Beck's body, my head tucked under his chin. The heartbeat I heard was his, not mine. I must have made a sound because Beck croaked, “You awake?"
"Yeah,” I said. “Awake and wondering why you're in bed with me."
Since my face was pressed against his chest, my words came out muffled. Reluctantly, I pushed away from him and sat up. Beck sighed, threw back the comforter and planted his feet on the floor. I was relieved to see he was still fully clothed. He stood and stretched, scrubbing a hand across his face. “I wanted to keep you safe."
"Yeah, well, as you can see, I'm perfectly safe,” I said. “Good thing I woke up before your mom came in."
He gave me a wicked grin. “Yeah, I don't think she'd understand."
I thought about how easily he dazed Melissa that night in the library and concluded Beck was pretty much the king in this castle. He did as he pleased with few consequences. Thankfully, I had some magic of my own to counter his. Last night, he'd looked shocked when I'd forced him to level with his mother. Whole new concept for Demon Boy! As long as I was around, I'd try to keep him honest.
Beck headed out to his little bachelor pad to clean up, and I went in search of my clothes. I found them clean and neatly folded, setting on top of the dryer in the laundry room next to the kitchen. By the time Melissa got up, I'd used the bathroom downstairs to put myself together.
The mirror did not lie. I looked like crap. Benny's blow had blackened my left eye and raised an ugly welt on my cheek. My mind, however, was crystal clear and drug-free. Gazing into the mirror, I wondered what happened when Benny and Shane returned to the house to find me gone. Were they looking for me now? Since they failed to get the moonstone, would they leave Peacock Flats? And who was the mysterious woman calling the shots?
One by one we wandered into the kitchen. Nicole, looking tired and grumpy, was uncharacteristically quiet. Beck slipped in through the back door with wet hair and a piece of toilet paper stuck to a razor nick on his chin.
Melissa stood at the stove, spatula in hand, flipping pancakes. She said, “While you were sleeping, I called the diner and asked for Benny. Bea said he called in sick."
"What about Shane?” Beck asked.
"No listing in the phone book,” Melissa said. “I called the school, told them I was a newspaper reporter doing a story on drop-outs returning to school and wanted to interview Shane Boldt."
"Oooh, sneaky,” Nicole said.
"He checked out of school yesterday,” Melissa said. “Said his family was moving. My guess is, since Allie can identify them both, Benny and Shane will run."
Melissa didn't know about Benny's threat to kill people if I blabbed, so I wasn't free to elaborate, but I did say, “They're going to be pretty ticked off. They might do something awful to force me to give them the moonstone."
"I'll call the sheriff,” Melissa said.
"No!” Beck and I said together.
She stopped and turned to face us. “Why not? Allie knows who kidnapped her. There has to be evidence tying Benny and Shane to the abandoned house and..."
Beck held up a hand. “Are you ready to explain how Nicole located Allie using astral travel? Or why Allie has the moonstone, not to mention why Benny and Shane would do anything to get it? Think of the lies we'd have to tell. They'd question all of us separately. Someone's bound to mess it up."
Nicole raised her head from her cocoa and shot him a dirty look.
Beck stood and stared down at his mother. “Don't you see? They'll think we're a bunch of nut jobs. Besides, I can protect Allie."
"Hold it!” I said. “I can take care of myself."
While Melissa thought it over, I carried my dirty dishes to the sink, rinsed them off and put them in the dishwasher. Leaning against the counter, I watched the silent interaction between Melissa, Beck and Nicole.
Melissa nibbled a fingernail, her gaze traveling back and forth between the twins. Nicole shrugged and looked at the ceiling. Beck folded his arms and rocked back on his heels.
Finally, Melissa said, “Since you didn't call and report Allie missing last night...” she paused and glared at Beck. “It's possible calling the sheriff at this point might complicate matters."
Melissa poured herself a cup of coffee and crossed to the table. She collapsed into a chair with a heavy sigh. Her face was pale and she had dark circles under her eyes. I wondered if she'd slept at all.
"What about school?” I said. “Can we go?"
All three of the Bradfords stared at me like they'd forgotten I was in the room.
Melissa rubbed her temples. “The question is, will you be safe?"
"School is probably the safest place for us right now,” I said.
"I think Allie's right,” Beck said. “We've warned Kizzy and Allie's parents. We should just try to act normal."
Melissa caved after Beck and Nicole promised to call their mother after every class. I made sure the moonstone and cross were tucked inside my shirt and that the moonstone was turned to the stun setting. We left for school.
* * * *
"I told you twice already. I slipped on the ice. Nobody hit me!"
I stood in Miss Yeager's open doorway, staring down at her, willing her to believe me. I'd refused to climb into the damn beanbag chair and, when she closed the door, I'd opened it again.
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Really, Allie, do you expect me to believe that story? You have knuckle marks on your face."
Desperate now, I practically shouted, “That's because I fell into a bush. The branches hit me in the face. I can't help it if it looks like somebody punched me."
She turned and stared out the window as if deeply pondering my answer. The last place I wanted to be was in the counseling office. When we'd arrived at school, Alice had barely glanced at the note I'd faked from Faye. Instead, she studied my face, reached for the phone and punched in three numbers. “Miss Yeager? I'm sending Allie Emerson to your office."
Things weren't going well. I hadn't had time to strategize, and Miss Yeager wasn't quite as gullible as I thought. After shaking her head sadly at my “falling in the bush” story, she pulled out the big guns.
"Fine,” she said, reaching for the phone. “You can talk to me or to Child Protective Services. Your choice."
Oh, crap! Faye and I'd had dealings with CPS last spring and hoped to never see them again. I plopped down on the bean bag chair, my mind busy spinning another story. What she said next shocked me.
"Did your mother hit you? Everything you say in here is confidential. You can tell me."
I practically levitated out of the bean bag. “Faye? No. Never!"
Her fingers were poised over the keyboard of her computer. “I'm writing your report as we speak. I know your mother drinks, Allie. It's not exactly a state secret. I have to be honest. I'm leaning toward having you removed from your home."
I rolled out of the chair and scrambled to my feet, trying desperately to get a look at her computer screen. It conveniently morphed into a screensaver featuring a basket full of kittens.
"Okay,” I said, defeated. I leaned against the wall. “Here's what really happened. You're right. Somebody hit me but it wasn't my mother."
I told Miss Yeager I'd sneaked out of the house, unbeknownst to Faye, attended a party and met a college guy named Rico who became so infatuated with me, he dragged me into the bedroom with the intention of doing the dirty deed. When I resisted, he smacked me in the face. My lust-filled imaginary lover was, of course, using a fake name and vanished into the night without a trace.
Miss Yeager's eyes narrowed in suspicion as I spoke. When I finished, she said, “Is your mother at work?"
Double crap! If she knew my mother was out of town, she'd know I was lying about last night.
I edged toward the door. “It's her day off. I think she went shopping."
"Are you sure she's not home?"
"I'm sure."
"Is it possible she's out of town?'
A shiver of apprehension crept down my spine. Why had she assumed Faye was out of town?
"Out of town? Oh, no, she's in town all right. I'll have her call you."
I didn't like Miss Yeager's expression. She had that smug Gotcha look.
I threw the door open. “Talk to you later. Gotta go. Geometry."
I scurried away before she could stop me. Geez, did I need her on my case right now? Of course, if Benny and Shane had their way, Miss Yeager would be the least of my worries.
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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Beck and I stopped by Kizzy's on the way home. Charlie peered through the peephole before he opened the door. After I explained the situation, Kizzy agreed it would be better if I stayed with the Bradfords.
"However,” she said. “As much as I like Charlie, it's not necessary for him to stay here. I'm in no real danger. I don't have the moonstone."
"You didn't have it last spring either and look what happened. Please, just let Charlie stay, so I won't worry."
Loose ends tied up, all we could do was wait. The next day, Thursday, passed without incident. It was awful. Tense and on edge, Beck and I began snapping at each other. The weather, always iffy that time of the year, had turned unseasonably warm. A Chinook wind swept through the valley, melting the snow, leaving behind a soggy, muddy mess.
Thursday night I slept fitfully, my fingers wrapped around the moonstone and silver cross. My dreams were filled with dark closets and talking heads ... faceless monsters giving chase ... me trying to run but unable to move. I'd wake up disoriented and shivering in the dark, even though I was safe and warm, sleeping on the daybed in Nicole's room. I made sure the moonstone's defensive barrier was turned on.
Benny and Shane. I knew they were out there. Without a doubt, they'd want to get even.
* * * *
Friday morning, sick and tired of thinking about Trimarks, I decided to focus my energy on another issue, namely, Miss Yeager's report. I had a little surprise in store for Miss Gotcha, but I couldn't do it alone. Mercedes was out of the question. She'd freak out. It had to be Nicole.
It was eleven forty-five, almost lunch time when Nicole and I stepped into the counseling office. Miss Yeager stood at the window looking out. She jumped slightly when we entered and turned to face us, her hand covering her “J for Jeanette” pendant.
Her eyes bulged in surprise. “I didn't know you two were friends."
Instead of trying to decipher that remark, I said, “Oh, yeah. We're tight, Nicole and me. That's why she's here. I'd like to see a copy of the report to my social worker."
Miss Yeager frowned and perched on her chair. I leaned against the door frame. Nicole edged a few feet away until the three of us formed an uneven triangle. On our way to the office, I'd turned the moonstone to the three o'clock setting. Immediately, my senses had sharpened. No dizziness. No nausea, although some of the thoughts I picked up on while walking down the hallways were pretty gross. Mostly, they involved guys thinking about my various body parts and what they'd like to do to them.
"Allie.” Miss Yeager's tone was long-suffering and exasperated. “You know that report is confidential. I couldn't possible reveal its contents in front of Nicole. That would be a breach of professional ethics."
Things were going as I'd planned. Before long, I'd know exactly what was in her mind. She blabbed a while longer. I glanced at Nicole who, as coached, played her role perfectly.
With a stifled sob, she placed a hand over her heart. “But Allie and I are like sisters. We know everything about each other. There's no reason..."
While Nicole elaborated on our sisterhood, I nibbled my fingernails and fidgeted, trying to look distraught. In the process, I edged back and to the right, then forward until I felt a flow of energy humming between the three of us. I swiped at my eyes and stared at the floor while Nicole babbled.
What I heard in Miss Yeager's mind made my heart skip a beat.
Kill zone. The words were crystal clear and spoken without emotion.
I jerked in surprise, which took me out of the loop. I knew my face would give me away, so I kept my eyes down and shifted my feet until I picked her up again. Her thoughts were racing at warp speed. It was like trying to make sense of a movie on fast forward.
Nicole stopped talking. Miss Yeager's jumbled thoughts faded into white noise. I looked up. She was staring at me curiously.
"So you see, Allie. What you're asking is not possible."
"Okay, fine,” I said, inching toward the door. “Let's go, Nicole."
Miss Yeager followed us out, closed and locked her door and strode toward an exit.
We joined a throng of students heading for the cafeteria. Nicole looked at me, a big smile on her face. “That was cool. We should do it again sometime. Did you read her mind while I distracted her?"
When I didn't answer, Nicole plucked at my sleeve. “Well, did you? God, you're white as a ghost. What's wrong?"
Panicky, I broke into a run, Nicole scurrying to keep up.
"We need to find Beck,” I said.
Nicole grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop, practically giving me whiplash. I'd forgotten how strong she was.
"Beck's not here. Remember? His car insurance is due today. He went to pay it. He said it wouldn't take long."
I groaned. “Oh, yeah. I forgot."
"Tell me what she was thinking,” Nicole demanded.
I told her.
Nicole's eyes narrowed. “That's it? Kill zone? She was probably thinking about some TV show she watched last night."
"Yeah, but..."
"But, nothing. Shut up. Eat your lunch. I'll see you later."
She wandered off to join her friends. I sat at my usual table and forced a smile while Mercedes and the Hoffman twins chattered. I had a feeling I'd missed something important. But what?
Too worried to eat, I watched as Sonja Ortega, clutching an enormous boombox, approached Mrs. Burke, who'd drawn lunch duty. After a few minutes, Mrs. Burke raised her hands in surrender and loud salsa music blasted through the cafeteria. A bunch of people groaned. Others fled the room. Hips swaying, Sonja danced her way over to Manny and crooked a finger in invitation. Though he looked like he'd rather drown himself in a river, Manny obliged.
They were actually pretty good. The crowd got into it, stomping, cheering and clapping. What with the loud music and crowd noise, my mind barely registered the sound coming from outside.
Somebody was screaming.
Mrs. Burke heard it too. She rushed to the boom box and hit the off button. I ran for the door leading to the courtyard. Just as I reached it, it flew open and a group of girls, all sobbing and screaming, stumbled through, knocking me to the floor.
I heard Mr. Hostetler yell, “Get inside! Everybody get inside."
I scrambled up and pushed my way through the crowd pouring into the cafeteria. When I stepped outside, I froze in horror.
The images, now indelibly burned into my brain, will remain with me always. Dazzling sunshine. Moans and screams. I'd heard no gunshots, butMr. Hostetler was on the soggy ground, writhing in pain. There had been no guns involved at all. Two girls crouched behind a bench, their lips moving in silent prayer. A car parked in the alley, its motor idling. Behind Mr. Hostetler, more crumpled figures. An ashen-faced boy trying to crawl toward the building. Puddles of melting snow.
Three people, spaced about forty feet apart, stood watching the chaos. Shane Boldt. Jeanette Yeager. Benny.
Clutching his left arm, Beck lay on the ground, a few feet from Shane Boldt. The sleeve of his long-sleeved tee was soaked with blood.
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