Afraid

Books by Jo Gibson

 

OBSESSED
TWISTED
AFRAID

 

And writing as Joanne Fluke

 

Hannah Swensen Mysteries

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MURDER
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MURDER
BLUEBERRY MUFFIN MURDER
LEMON MERINGUE PIE MURDER
FUDGE CUPCAKE MURDER
SUGAR COOKIE MURDER
PEACH COBBLER MURDER
CHERRY CHEESECAKE MURDER
KEY LIME PIE MURDER
CANDY CANE MURDER
CARROT CAKE MURDER
CREAM PUFF MURDER
PLUM PUDDING MURDER
APPLE TURNOVER MURDER
DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE MURDER
GINGERBREAD COOKIE MURDER
CINNAMON ROLL MURDER
RED VELVET CUPCAKE MURDER
BLACKBERRY PIE MURDER
JOANNE FLUKE'S LAKE EDEN COOKBOOK

 

Suspense Novels

VIDEO KILL
WINTER CHILL
DEAD GIVEAWAY
THE OTHER CHILD

 

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

JO GIBSON

KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
www.kensingtonbooks.com

All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

This book is for Ann Reit.

 

With many thanks to Amy and Lisa.

I
t was hard, being the new girl in school, Donna Burke thought as she flipped her notebook open to a fresh, blank page. She was in her room, seated at the desk her parents had bought for her when they'd moved to Jefferson City, two months ago. The walls were painted her favorite color, a pale sky blue. The white curtains at the window matched the canopy over her new bed, her dresser and nightstand were exactly the style she'd always wanted, and there was a new braided rug on her floor. Donna's room was perfect, the room she'd always dreamed of having. There was only one thing wrong. Her room was in Jefferson City. And Jefferson City was over two hundred miles away from her friends.

Donna sighed and glanced at the clock. It was four o'clock on a dreary Friday afternoon in October, and she wasn't looking forward to the weekend. It would be like all the other weekends she'd spent in Jefferson City. The phone in her room wouldn't ring. It never did. She'd read, do her homework, watch a little television, and end up being bored silly for the next forty-eight hours.

Donna's classmates had gone to Clancy's, the local burger place and after-school hangout She could imagine them there, crowded into one of the big, fake-leather booths in the back and sharing a giant plate of fries. Donna knew she could have tagged along. They would have squeezed together to make her a place, offered her some fries and been perfectly friendly, but she wouldn't have been a real part of the group. Donna's classmates had a history together that went back to the first day of kindergarten. And even though Donna had been at Jefferson High for over six weeks, they still called her the new girl.

Donna had done her best to be accepted. She'd taken all the jobs the popular girls didn't want; usher for the fall play, head of the cleanup committee for school activities, student helper in the library, and ticket seller for football games. None of it had done any good. The other students smiled and said hello when they saw Donna running the ticket booth or tacking up notices on the library bulletin board. But no one had invited her to a single party, or called to talk about an assignment, or asked her for a date.

All that was going to change very soon. Donna squared her shoulders and picked up her pen. The former editor of the
Jefferson High Gazette,
one of the most popular girls in the senior class, had transferred to another school. Instead of simply appointing a new editor, Miss Adams, the faculty advisor, had decided to hold a contest. The entries would be published in the school paper, and the student who wrote the best article would be the new editor.

There was a frown on Donna's face as she stared down at her blank notepaper. She simply had to think of something! She brushed back her curly brown hair, which always got in the way when she was trying to work, and stared down at her notebook again. What could she write about?

Donna tried to remember what the students talked about in the halls. Sports wasn't taken and that was always a popular subject. Donna considered it for a minute, and then she shook her head. There was no way she could write an article about football when she wasn't even sure what a fullback was.

An in-depth profile of someone at school? Donna thought about it for a moment and then rejected that idea, too. It might work, but there wasn't enough time to do the research.

Thinking some music might help, Donna got up to turn on her stereo, but the local station, K-TOP, didn't give her any ideas. Neither did looking out her window at Steve Harvey's house.

Steve Harvey. Donna sighed again, but this time it was a soft sigh of longing. Steve was easily the best-looking guy in the senior class, the quarterback on the football team, the class president, and the boy voted most likely to succeed by the faculty. To top that off, he wasn't a bit conceited. Of course, there was one small problem with Steve Harvey. He was practically engaged to Tammy Peters, the daughter of the man who owned Jefferson Plaza, and Jefferson Towers, and Jefferson Country Estates. Steve Harvey was taken, and Donna knew her chances with him were less than zero.

Thinking about Steve wasn't getting her article written. Donna picked up her pen and held it poised, at the beginning of the first blue line. She simply had to be the new editor! It was her only hope of becoming accepted by her classmates.

Making a list might help. Donna began to jot down ideas, one on each line. Classic blues. She knew a lot about the blues since it was her mother's favorite music, but she didn't really think that the students at Jefferson High would be interested in reading about Blind Lemon Jefferson or Otis Rush. No, she needed a scoop, a real heartstopper.

The phone rang and Donna put down her pen. Saved by the bell. Just in case it was one of her classmates, Donna put on a smile as she reached for the phone. Her grandfather always claimed he could hear a smile over the phone, and there was no sense in taking chances.

“Hello?” Donna spoke past her smile. And then the pasted-on smile turned into something warm and genuine as she recognized the voice on the other end of the line. It was Steve Harvey! And he wanted to know if she was going to the school carnival tomorrow night!

“Yes, I'll be there.” Donna was so excited, her voice was shaking. She'd heard a rumor that Steve and Tammy weren't getting along, but she hadn't really believed it. What if Steve had broken up with Tammy? This could be the moment she'd been dreaming of, ever since she'd taken the seat next to his in history class. Steve Harvey was going to ask her for a date!

But when Steve explained why he'd called, a frown began to spread across Donna's face. It wasn't a date at all. Steve said he was expecting an important letter, but he'd be busy all day tomorrow, helping to set up booths for the school carnival. If his letter was delivered, he wanted Donna to bring it to the carnival with her.

“Yes, Steve. I'll be glad to do it.” Donna hoped she didn't sound too disappointed. “I'll check your mailbox right before I leave. And if it's there, I'll bring it.”

Donna's frown faded as she hung up the phone. At least Steve had called her. And he'd given her the perfect excuse to see him at the carnival. Maybe it wasn't exactly a date, but they
had
agreed to meet by the Ferris wheel at eight o'clock. And that was better than nothing, wasn't it?

S
he was early. Donna glanced at her watch as she stood in front of the ticket booth. It was seven forty-five and she wasn't supposed to meet Steve until eight. Donna didn't really mind waiting at the school carnival midway. She smiled as she watched the lights on the Ferris wheel make graceful circles. She could imagine riding the big wheel with Steve, holding his hand tightly as they started to rise up into the deep night sky. They might be lucky enough to stop at the very top, too high for anyone to see them, too far away to hear the noises of the crowd. If she happened to shiver from the cool breeze that swept over the hills, Steve might drape his arm around her shoulders and hold her close.

Donna clutched her purse tightly. Steve's letter was tucked inside and she knew it was from the state university. Their logo was in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope, and Donna had received a similar letter just last week. Her letter had contained very good news. Her application had been accepted and next year she'd be enrolling as a freshman. Steve had applied, too, and everyone at Jefferson High knew that he was hoping for a football scholarship. If Steve got his scholarship, they'd be on the same campus together!

Waiting for Steve to open his letter was agony. From the first moment Donna had taken it out of his mailbox, she'd had the urge to hold it up to the light to see if she could read the letter inside. She hadn't done it, but Donna had been careful to think positive thoughts all day. If Steve got his scholarship, he'd feel like celebrating. And since Donna was the one who'd brought him the news, Steve might ask her to be his date for the rest of the evening—if he'd really broken up with Tammy.

“Hey, Donna! How's it going?”

“Hi, Jerry.” Donna turned to smile at Jerry Taylor. Jerry was Steve's best friend and he was on the football team, too.

“Hey . . .” Jerry cocked his head to one side and grinned at her. “You look great, Donna! Are you waiting for somebody?”

Donna nodded and hoped she wasn't blushing. “I'm supposed to meet Steve here at eight o'clock.”

“Uh . . . Donna?” Jerry looked very uncomfortable. “You don't have a date with Steve, do you?”

“No, Steve just asked me to check his mailbox and bring him a letter.”

Jerry looked very relieved. “That's good. I just saw him by the game booths with Tammy.”

It was difficult, but Donna managed to keep smiling. It was still possible that Steve and Tammy had broken up. Maybe they'd decided to be friends.

“Looks like we're making some money here, huh?” Jerry glanced around at the crowded midway. “I just walked past the merry-go-round and there's about a hundred kids in line.”

Donna nodded and pointed out a group of kids who were racing down the midway, clutching cotton candy and hotdogs. “I think the food booths are doing good business, too.”

“Hey, Donna! Jerry! Wait up!”

Donna turned to see Steve making his way through the crowd toward them. She reached in her purse, pulled out the letter, and handed it to him the moment he arrived at her side.

“Thanks, Donna.” Steve slipped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little hug. “I really appreciate this.”

Donna noticed that Steve's hands were shaking slightly as he held the letter. She knew exactly how he felt. Her hands had been trembling when she'd opened her own letter from the university. “I really hope it's good news, Steve.”

“So do I!” Steve grinned and turned to Jerry. “Hey, Jer—did you get yours?”

Jerry shook his head. “Not yet, but if you got your scholarship, maybe I'll get mine. Come on, man—open it!”

“Okay, here goes.” Steve ripped the letter open and glanced inside. And then he let out a whoop of excitement. “I got it! A full scholarship!”

Jerry grinned. “It's celebration time!”

“Come on.” Steve took Donna's arm and marched her along the midway. “Everybody's waiting at the Duck Pond.”

Donna felt like she was walking on air as she hurried down the midway with Steve and Jerry. Steve's hand was still on her arm and, as they passed a group of girls, several of them turned to stare. Rumors would be flying through the halls of Jefferson High on Monday morning, but they wouldn't mean a thing if Steve was still going with Tammy.

Her grandfather had always said to enjoy the moment, and that's exactly what Donna tried to do. The carousel was playing “Someday My Prince Will Come,” and Donna knew she'd always remember that song. Every time she heard it, she'd think of the brightly painted horses revolving slowly and the wonderful feeling of Steve's warm fingers on her arm.

But as the three of them approached the Duck Pond, Donna saw Tammy, tapping her foot impatiently.

She looked gorgeous! Tammy's long, golden blonde hair was swept up into a barrette tonight, and it tumbled down her back in a cascade of perfect curls. She was wearing an outfit that Donna had never seen before, white suede pants and a matching jacket that was decorated with flowers made of brightly colored beads. Donna suddenly felt drab and ordinary. Why would Steve bother to look at her when Tammy was so beautiful? She'd been silly to hope that he'd take her on the Ferris wheel. And she'd been absolutely crazy to think that he might ask her for a date!

“What took you so long?” Tammy frowned as they approached.

“Aren't you going to ask if I got my letter?” Steve asked.

“Of course I am.” Tammy put on a smile as she took Steve's arm. “Don't keep me in suspense, Stevie. Did you?”

“Yes, I got it. And . . . I
got it!

“That's wonderful, Stevie.” Tammy stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I knew you would. And if you're really nice to me, I'll buy you a present.”

Steve turned to Donna to explain. “That means she wants to go shopping. And I'll get stuck, carrying everything she buys.”

“Of course. That's what boyfriends are for.” Tammy grabbed Steve's arm and pulled him toward the row of vendors. “Come with us, Jerry. Let's go see if they've got anything worth buying.”

“The queen speaketh.” Jerry turned to Donna and extended his arm. “Come on, Donna. I'll carry your stuff if you buy anything.”

Donna hesitated. Tammy had deliberately excluded her. But Jerry had invited her and she really wanted to go.

“Donna? Come on. It'll be fun.”

Steve turned around to motion to her, and Donna took Jerry's arm. “Okay. But don't worry, Jerry. I'm not going to buy anything so you won't have any packages to carry.”

“Hey! Wait up!” Jerry hurried to catch up with Tammy and Steve. “Donna says she's not going to buy anything.”

Steve smiled at Donna. “Maybe Donna's a little more sensible than some people I could name.”

“Stevie!” Tammy frowned at him. “That wasn't very nice. And you wouldn't like a sensible girlfriend. They're boring! Isn't that right, Donna?”

Donna shrugged. “I guess they could be. I've never really thought about it before.”

“And of course Donna's going to buy something.” Tammy gave her a condescending smile. “She won't be able to resist. We've got over fifty vendors here tonight.”

Donna didn't say anything at all. She just smiled. Tammy was so self-centered, she didn't even wonder why Donna wasn't going to buy anything. It took money to go shopping, and Donna had a total of $15.65 in her purse. The $15 was next week's lunch money, and Donna wasn't about to spend it on something she didn't need.

The area they'd named Vendors' Row was at the far edge of the football field, next to a grove of trees. They wandered past several booths of costume jewelry, a display of handmade leather purses and wallets, and a booth with hand-thrown pottery. As they rounded the corner between two tents, Tammy stopped and pointed to an unusual display. “Oh—look! There's a totally fantastic booth!”

Donna nodded. The booth really was fantastic. The sign read M
AGICAL
F
OOTWEAR
, and the vendor had used a big oak tree to display the wares. A huge tent draped with oriental carpets was set up under the tree, and shoes and boots hung from the branches.

“Let's go, Stevie!” Tammy grabbed Steve's hand and began to push to the front of the crowd. “I'm going to be in the fall play and I want a pair of totally incredible shoes to wear.”

Donna managed to hide her smile of amusement. She was an usher for the fall play, and she'd attended a few rehearsals. Tammy didn't need new shoes; she needed to learn her lines!

“You guys better keep me company.” Steve turned back to Jerry and Donna. “This could take hours. Tammy loves shoes.”

Donna nodded. It was clear that Tammy was an impulse buyer, and she had plenty of money to indulge herself.

By the time they'd made their way through the crowd and up to the counter, Tammy was already talking to the woman who ran the booth. She looked as if she'd stepped from the pages of a storybook as the evil stepmother, or the wicked witch. She was dressed in black, from her head to her toes, with a skirt so long, it swept the floor of the tent. There was a heavy black cape around her shoulders, and the way it flapped around her arms when she moved reminded Donna of a huge, black crow.

Tammy pointed to the sign on the wall of the tent. “It says you make your own shoes. Is that true?”

“Yes, young lady.” The old woman nodded. “From the finest materials, each pair an original.”

“Good. I need a totally gorgeous pair of shoes. I want the best that money can buy, and it's very important that no one else has a pair just like them.”

“This is for a special occasion?” The old woman's eyes began to gleam, and Donna was sure she was going to charge a fortune for any pair of shoes that Tammy chose.

“Yes.” Tammy brushed back her hair and gave a proud smile. “I have the lead in the fall play, and my shoes have to be spectacular, not like the ordinary ones out here.”

“Of course, young lady. Would you like to see my private collection in the back?”

“All right.” Tammy grinned. “But I don't have all night, so hurry!”

Donna frowned slightly. Tammy was being quite rude, but the old woman didn't seen to notice. She just led them to the back of the tent and pointed to a shelf where several beautiful pairs of shoes were displayed.

“That's more like it!” Tammy reached out to touch one pair. Even from several feet away, Donna could tell that the shoes were beautifully colored. “These are nice, but I've seen dozens just like them. Don't you have anything really—”

Tammy stopped in mid-sentence and pointed to the shelf where a pair of red shoes was displayed in a glass case. “That's exactly what I mean. Those red shoes are perfect! Take them out so I can try them on!”

“No, young lady.” The old woman shook her head. “The red shoes are not for sale. They are for display purposes only.”

“That's ridiculous!”

Tammy started to frown, and Donna could tell that she didn't like being denied. The shoes in the display case really were spectacular. They were made of soft, shining satin that was almost luminescent.

“I am sorry, young lady. If you would like to place an order, I can make you a pair of shoes just like them.”

“No way!” Tammy's frown deepened. “I need them for opening night next Friday. And I said I want originals, not a copy of something else. Get them down for me. If they fit, I'll buy them. And I'll pay you double the asking price!”

The old woman shook her head again. “No, young lady. I told you before. I cannot sell you the red shoes.”

“Why not? I said I'd pay double!”

A crowd was starting to gather, and the old woman pulled them to the side of the tent, where there was a little alcove. “You seem like a very nice girl, and that is why I cannot let you have the red shoes. You see, they are dangerous.”

“Dangerous?” Tammy raised her eyebrows. “How could a pair of shoes be dangerous?”

The old woman lowered her voice so that only Tammy and her group could hear. “If you will listen, I will explain. This particular pair of shoes is cursed.”

“Cursed?!” Tammy started to giggle. “Well, I don't care if they're cursed or not—I still want them!”

Donna was so curious, she stepped forward and touched the old woman on the arm. When the woman turned to her, she blurted out her question. “Please—could you tell us about the curse?”

The old woman smiled, and Donna stepped back instinctively. It was a chilling smile.

“It's an ancient charm that has survived over the centuries. Any girl who wears the red shoes will be blessed with incredible talent, but there is a terrible price to pay. She will also be cursed with bad luck.”

“That sounds good to me!” Tammy laughed so hard, she had to lean on Steve's arm. “I could use some incredible talent for opening night, and I'm certainly not afraid of a silly curse. Now, take those shoes down or I'll talk to the principal and have you removed from the carnival!”

Donna winced. Tammy was really being awful. She moved a little closer and tapped Tammy gently on the arm. “Tammy? Maybe she's right and you shouldn't try on those shoes. What if there
is
a curse?”

“Really, Donna!” Tammy burst into laughter. “You don't actually believe in curses, do you?”

Donna was blushing as she shook her head. “No. Not really. But . . . there could be something about the shoes that might be dangerous.”

“I'll take my chances.” Tammy turned back to the old woman again. “Well? Are you going to get them down, or not?”

The old woman shrugged. “If you insist. But I have done my duty by warning you.”

“Okay, I'm warned.” Tammy laughed as the old woman took the red shoes out of the case. It was clear she wasn't one bit worried about the curse. “This is going to be fun! I'll tell everyone that I'm wearing cursed shoes, and it'll be great publicity for the play. People will come from miles around to watch me act!”