Twisted (8 page)

The highway had just been plowed, and Gail increased her speed. The sheriff's station was only five miles away, and she felt a little better now that she'd decided on a course of action. She'd tell the sheriff everything, and he would arrest Brett. When Cat was locked behind bars, she would be safe.

No one seemed to be on the highway today. It was only four forty-five, and the few cars that made up the rush hour in Clearwater wouldn't appear on the highway until after the local businesses closed at five.

Gail reached out and flicked on her headlights. Nights came early in the winter. On the shortest day of the year, December twenty-first, the sun had set at four-seventeen. The days were a little longer now, but it still got dark before five.

The twin beams of her headlights made the world seem smaller. The road looked like an endless tunnel, with the banks of snow the snowplow had left at the sides of the road forming sheer white walls to define the space. The snowbanks were high, almost eight feet, and Gail knew that she had to drive carefully. If she went into a skid and slipped off the highway, she'd crash into a solid wall of snow.

As the darkness closed in, and the dusky sky turned as black as ink, Gail began to tremble again. She knew she was safe in the enclosed cocoon of her car, but now that the night was here, all sorts of horrible thoughts flashed through her mind. What if Brett guessed where she was going and came after her? If he didn't turn on his lights, she'd never know he was behind her until he rammed her with his car. Brett's Cadillac was much bigger than her Valiant. He could bump her right off the road. And then, when she was stuck in a ditch and helpless, he could . . .

Gail bit back a scream as she heard a thumping noise at the rear of her car. But then she realized that she'd just taken a curve very fast, and her bowling ball was in her trunk. As she'd swerved around the curve, it had rolled from side to side, bumping against the spare tire.

Without even thinking, Gail stepped down on her accelerator. The faster she got to the sheriff's station, the better. But then she heard another noise, one that made her wrinkle her forehead in concern. The engine in her Valiant was knocking!

Gail groaned, and said a little prayer. If her car broke down, and Brett came along behind her, she was dead meat. Somehow she had to get to the sheriff's station before that happened!

The Homestead Hill Grocery was right ahead of her, at the bottom of the hill, and Gail drew a sigh of relief as she passed it. Only two miles to go and she'd be there. All she had to do was drive up Homestead Hill, and then it was all downhill to the sheriff's station.

The Valiant began to knock harder as it struggled up the incline. Homestead Hill was a long, slow, gentle slope rising steadily for at least half a mile. But the last few hundred feet were steep, and Gail held her breath as the Valiant chugged steadily upward, finally cresting the top of the hill. She'd made it! Now all she had to do was floor it, and if the Valiant died on her, it would still coast all the way to the sheriff's station. It was a straight line from here to there, with the exception of one sharply sloped curve.

Gail stomped on the gas, and the Valiant faltered. Maybe flooring it wasn't such a good idea, after all. She pressed the gas pedal down very slowly, by increments, and that seemed to work just fine.

The lights on the dash flickered on and off, but that didn't disturb Gail. The Valiant had a short somewhere, and the dash lights had flickered ever since her father had given it to her. That was one of the reasons her father had handed Gail the keys to the Valiant, and bought a new car for himself. No one seemed to be able to fix it, and her father did a lot of night driving. He'd told her that the flickering lights were much too distracting.

Gail had solved the problem. Since the dash lights acted like a strobe, and they went on and off at regular intervals, she'd turned them down to the lowest setting and learned to blink in time with the flickers. This would have looked a little silly if anyone else had been in the car; but Gail seldom drove at night, and when she did, she was alone.

There was no doubt that she was picking up speed. Gail gave the Valiant a little more gas and wondered how fast she was going. There was only one way to tell, so she blinked several times and caught sight of the needle. Sixty miles an hour and she was going downhill. She didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know that sixty miles an hour was much too fast.

Since the roads were icy, Gail was very careful as she touched her brakes. New cars had anti-lock brakes, but the Valiant was ten years old. If her brakes locked up, she'd be in big trouble.

Gail gave a sigh of relief when she stepped on the pedal and her brakes didn't lock. But as the seconds ticked by, she realized that her car wasn't slowing. Gail stepped on her brake pedal again, but the Valiant didn't respond. What was the matter with her brakes?

She blinked and managed to catch a glimpse of the speedometer again. And she gasped as she realized that the needle was hovering at sixty-five. She was picking up too much speed, and Deadman's Curve, the site of several fatal accidents, was only a quarter of a mile away!

Gail didn't stop to worry about whether her brakes would lock or not. She just stomped on the pedal and pushed it all the way down to the floor, hanging on to the wheel as tightly as she could.

But absolutely nothing happened! The Valiant didn't swerve, or shudder, or skid. It just kept on going, faster and faster, racing toward Deadman's Curve.

Gail didn't scream. There wasn't time. She just fought the wheel, and prayed that she could steer her way around the curve. But when she caught another glimpse of the speedometer, she knew that her effort would be in vain. The Valiant had hurtled down the icy slope, and the needle on the speedometer was stuck at eighty!

That was when Gail screamed. It was a scream of terror and pure frustration. She was going to die, and she knew exactly who had sabotaged her brakes. It was Cat. He'd struck again, and there was no way she could tell anyone who'd done it. It was too late, much too late, and she was going to die!

The half-heart necklace. Gail reached down and found the box. She grabbed the necklace with one hand and slipped it over her neck. It was too late for her, but at least it would give the sheriff a clue.

And then the Valiant barreled into the curve, and Gail saw the guard rails flickering past her with a speed so fast they looked like toothpicks. She'd almost made it, almost managed to steer her way out of the curve, when the Valiant hit an icy patch and she hurtled into eternal darkness.

A
my and Danny were sitting in a booth at the Hungry Burger, waiting for Colleen to join them. School had been awful. Everyone had walked around in shock, unable to believe that Gail was dead. Mr. Dorman had called for an assembly before first period, and he'd given them the sad news. Of course, most of them had heard it already. When Gail hadn't shown up to meet Brett after cheerleading practice, he'd gone out looking for her. He'd found her wrecked car, out on the highway, and driven straight to the sheriff's station to report it.

Bad news traveled fast, and Brett had called Neal to tell him. Neal had called Jessica, and Jessica had lost no time in calling Michele. The moment Michele had heard, she'd called Colleen and Amy, and within the hour, the news of Gail's fatal car accident was all over town. Amy's grandmother had told her an old saying, and it seemed to be true in Clearwater. Bad news could travel halfway around the world before good news had time to put on its shoes.

Amy took a sip of her chocolate milk shake. Chocolate milk shakes usually made her feel good, but today the therapy didn't seem to be working. All she could think about was how Gail's brakes had failed, resulting in her death. She looked up at Danny, and blinked back a tear. “Where do you think she was going?”

“I'm not sure.” Danny knew immediately who she was talking about. He always did. “My guess is the sheriff's station. It's the only building out there, except for a couple of farms.”

“But why would she go there?”

Danny shook his head. “I don't know for sure. But one of the deputies stopped by Ernie's garage while I was there, and he said Gail was wearing one of those half-heart necklaces, just like Tanya.”

“Oh, my God!” Amy shivered. “Do they know who gave it to her?”

Danny shook his head. “Do you know if she ever got that third card from Cat?”

“I don't know whether she did or not. But Jessica and Michele left the school before Gail did. And when Gail went up to her locker to get her coat, it could have been there, waiting for her. That's where she found the first two.”

“But how about the necklace? The box was too big to fit through the vent in her locker.”

“You're right. I didn't think of that.” Amy frowned, her mind whirling. And then she nodded as she thought of a possible explanation. “I know what might have happened. Cat could have stuck it in her car.”

“That makes sense. And it would explain what Gail was doing out on the highway. She might have figured out who Cat was, and gone straight to the sheriff to tell him.”

“But she never made it. Cat killed her first. We know that, but we can't prove it. I wish Gail could have left us some sort of clue.”

“She did.” Danny looked very serious. “Gail was wearing the half-heart necklace. I think she knew that she was going to die, and she put on the necklace to let us know that Cat was responsible.”

Amy's eyes welled up with tears. “Poor Gail! It must have been awful, trapped in her car, knowing she was going to die.”

“Yeah.” Danny gave Amy another hug. “Come on, Amy. Crying's not going to do any good. Let's concentrate on proving our case against Cat. The first thing we need is motive. Why did Cat kill Gail?”

“Because she was going to be Valentine's Day Queen. It's the same reason he killed Tanya.”

“Okay. I'll buy that. But why didn't he want them to be queen?”

Amy looked at Danny in surprise. “He told us why. Remember the Valentine cards? Cat thought the queen should be kind, faithful and true. And Tanya and Gail didn't pass his test, so he killed them because they were unworthy.”

“We know that, but the sheriff doesn't buy it. Brett said he told him about the Valentine cards, but the sheriff thinks they were just a prank . . . especially since no one can prove that Tanya and Gail were murdered. The sheriff has listed both of their deaths as accidental.”

“So what do we do?” Amy looked worried.

“I'm not sure. What do you think we should do?”

“I think we should cancel the contest before someone else is killed.”

Danny nodded. “That makes good sense to me. But it'll be pretty rough on Jessica. She's in the lead, now that Tanya and Gail are dead.”

“I know. She's already planning out what to wear to her coronation. I don't think I'd better even suggest it.”

“Why not?”

Amy sighed. “Because Jessica will say it's just sour grapes on my part.”

“Sour grapes?” Danny stared down at her with a puzzled expression. “What does that mean?”

“It means they'll assume that the only reason I want to cancel the contest is because I couldn't win.”

“But you could! You're pretty, and popular, and you stand just as much of a chance as any other girl.”

“Right.” Amy couldn't help sounding sarcastic. “I'm so popular, I don't even have a date for the dance. And the guy I was going to ask, the mysterious person who voted for me, turns out to be Cat!”

“Okay. He was a bad choice. But you can get a date for the dance. I told you before . . . ask me.”

Amy frowned slightly. She knew Danny was only being kind. “Thanks, but I don't accept charity. And the only reason you'd agree to be my date is because I'm your sister's best friend.”

“Think again, Amy. I'd never take a girl I didn't like to a dance. Life's too short to be stuck with a loser all night.”

“You'd go with me if I asked you?”

Danny nodded. “Sure. Are you asking?”

“Uh . . . yes. I mean . . . I guess so.” Amy's cheeks began to burn, and she knew her face was turning red. “But I don't want you to do me any favors!”

“Okay. I won't. But you have to do one for me.”

Amy groaned. “Oh-oh. Colleen and I are already doing your laundry. What else do you want?”

“I want something much more personal, something only you can do.”

Danny was grinning the grin everyone said was sexy, and Amy knew he had something definite in mind. She blushed even harder, and looked down at the table.

“Don't you want to know what it is?”

Danny's voice was low and intimate, teasing and sexy at the same time. It made Amy look up to find that he was staring at her intently.

“Oh . . . well . . .” Amy's voice faltered. She found it very difficult to meet Danny's eyes, but she did. And then she took a deep breath and blurted out the question. “All right, Danny. What is it?”

“I want you to wear something sexy. You have a very good figure and you should show it off. Black silk would be nice, or something in bright red satin. Just make sure it has a low neck. I don't want to blow my reputation by going out with someone who's dressed up like Little Bo Peep.”

Amy knew her face was beet-red. She'd never looked like Little Bo Peep in her life! “Sorry, Danny . . . I'm fresh out of black silk dresses. And I don't have any bright red satin, either.”

“No problem.” Danny was still grinning his sexy grin. “I'll buy you a dress, the next time I get out to the mall. What size do you wear?”

“I . . . I . . . that's none of your business!”

Danny leaned forward to stare at her. His gaze started at the top of her head and traveled all the way down to the tips of her toes. “Okay. You should wear about an eleven. Or maybe a nine, if it has a full skirt. Am I right?”

Amy's mouth dropped open. Danny was right! But she was too embarrassed to reply.

“That's one of the cute things about you, Amy. You're really shy, and I know it's not an act. I'll ask Colleen all your sizes. I know you two don't have any secrets from each other.” Danny slipped his arm around Amy's shoulders again, and gave her a little squeeze. “You'll wear the dress I pick out for you, won't you?”

Amy wished she could sink through the floor. If Danny picked out her dress, it was bound to be something spectacular, something so revealing she'd curl up and die rather than wear it in public. But if she didn't wear it, his feelings would be hurt. Amy wasn't at all sure why she was worried about that, but she knew she didn't want to hurt Danny's feelings.

She simply had to think of a good excuse so she wouldn't have to accept the dress!

“Look, Danny.” Amy latched on to an excuse and ran with it. “My parents would never let me accept a dress from you. It's too personal. And much too expensive. A gift like that just wouldn't be . . . uh . . . appropriate.”

Danny nodded. “You're right. I should have thought of that. Your birthday's in March, isn't it?”

“Uh . . . yes.” Amy was surprised that Danny had remembered her birthday.

“I'll talk to Colleen, and we'll both go in on your present this year. Your parents will let you accept an early birthday gift from both of us, won't they?”

“Well . . . uh . . . yes, I think they will. But you really shouldn't . . .”

“It's settled, then.” Danny gave her a little hug. “I'll look forward to seeing you in that dress, Amy.”

Before Amy could say another word, Colleen came through the front door of the Hungry Burger. She headed straight for their booth and slid in on the other side.

“Hi, guys.” Colleen was breathless. “You'll never guess what just happened to me!”

“What happened?” Amy was extremely grateful for the interruption. Her conversation with Danny had been so personal, she was embarrassed.

“Jessica and Michele want me to take Gail's place! The cheers don't look good with only two cheerleaders, so I'm going to join them at the game tonight!”

“They must be desperate.” Danny grinned at his sister. “You're not really the cheerleader type.”

“I'm not
that
bad! Besides, it's just until they can hold try-outs for some new girls.”

Amy nodded. “Congratulations, Colleen. I think you'll make a great cheerleader. Are you going to the try-outs when they hold them?”

Colleen shrugged. “I don't know. I guess it all depends on whether I make a fool of myself at the game tonight. You'll watch and tell me if I look okay, won't you, Amy?”

“Of course.” Amy smiled at her. And then she gave a little sigh. “I'm going to miss talking to you at the game, though. It'll be the first time I've ever gone to a game alone.”

Danny shook his head. “You won't be alone. And I guarantee you won't miss Colleen. You'll have me to talk to, and I'm much more interesting.”

“Says who?” Colleen glared at him.

“Says me.” Danny slid out of the booth and stood up. And then he reached down to ruffle Amy's hair. “I have to run. I'll drop Colleen off at the school at six-thirty, and I'll pick you up at seven, okay?”

“Uh . . . sure. I'll be ready.”

Amy stared after him as he made his way through the crowd and went out the front door. Danny really was handsome, now that he'd cut all the green dye from his hair.

“I don't believe it!”

Amy turned to see that Colleen was grinning at her. “You don't believe what?”

“I don't believe my brother! He asked you for a date, and you said yes.”

“I did?” Amy began to blush. “But it's not exactly a date, Colleen. Danny's just giving me a ride to the game. He gives us rides all the time. You know that.”

Colleen shook her head. “I know he does, but it's more than that. He's dropping me off, and
then
he's picking you up. And he's sitting with you at the game. That's a date, Amy. Maybe you didn't realize it, but you just made a date with Danny.”

“Oh, I don't think so.” Amy knew she was starting to blush, so she looked down at the table. “He's just being nice because he knew I didn't want to sit alone. It's just friendship, Colleen. That's all.”

“Sure. I'm going to order a burger. Do you want me to get something for you?”

“No, thanks. I don't want to spoil my appetite. Mom's making french fries and hamburgers for dinner. And we're having hot fudge sundaes for dessert.”

“You're kidding!” Colleen looked surprised. “What happened to her tofu diet?”

“She threw out the tofu the minute she read the new diet sheet that came in the mail. We're having barbecued chicken and potato salad tomorrow night, and pot roast on Sunday. Dad's really happy about Mom's new diet.”

“This new diet . . .” Colleen started to grin. “Is it from Y.M.A.?”

“Of course. Mom's really impressed by the way it contains something from every food group. And she loves the way we rave about her cooking. It's turning out exactly the way Danny said it would when he helped me make up the diet sheet.”

“Danny helped you?” Colleen's grin widened. “You're spending a lot of time with my brother, aren't you?”

“Well . . . yes. I guess I am.”

“But you still say you're just friends?”

“Of course.” Amy nodded quickly. “Danny's not at all serious about me. He's still dating Megan.”

“No, he's not. They broke up, almost a week ago. You're the only girl he's seeing now.”

Amy started to blush again. She certainly wasn't going to tell Colleen that she'd invited Danny to the Valentine's Day Dance. Colleen would assume it was a real date, when it was just two friends going somewhere together. “That doesn't mean anything, Colleen. He's just between girls, that's all.”

“Hmm.” Colleen lifted her eyebrows. “Maybe you're right. You're really not his type at all.”

Amy felt an uncharacteristic stab of jealousy. “What's
that
supposed to mean?”

“You're much too innocent to date Danny. And you're much too nice.”

“Oh.” Amy wasn't sure if she should feel complimented or not. “Thanks . . . I think.”

“You're welcome. I'm starving. All that exercise at cheerleading practice made me hungry. Are you sure I can't get you something to eat?”