by Joanne Fluke
“Maybe we oughta go after GALA. Norm hated that bunch of queers.”
“Spud!” Herb released his hold on Pat and clamped his big arm around Spud’s neck. “You’re right! Let’s go get ’em right after we finish this round.”
Pat made his escape as fast as he could. Those three were trouble. He had just picked up the phone to call Steve Radke at the police station when four college girls trooped in the back door.
“Hi, Pat. Remember me?”
The tall, thin redhead raced up to the bar and slid onto a stool. Pat remembered her vaguely. She’d been in last Friday with a group of college girls, and they’d all ordered Long Island Iced Teas. Those things were a real pain to make. Maybe they ought to copy D.B. Searle’s and make up a whole batch in one of those juice dispensers the movie theaters used.
“I never forget a pretty face. The name maybe, but never the face. Let me see now . . .”
Pat stalled for time. She looked like a racehorse with those long legs. That was it! Filly . . . Phyllis.
“Phyllis, right?”
“Right.” Phyllis laughed and tossed back her hair. “I want you to meet my roommates, Stephanie, Margie, and Julie. They all want to hear your Grain Belt joke.”
Pat put down the phone and gave them his standard bartender’s grin. He was probably worrying for nothing. Herb and his friends were just blowing off steam. They’d forget all about GALA before they even finished their drinks.
“One Grain Belt joke coming up, right after I take your order. Name your poison, ladies.”
“We all want Long Island Iced Teas. We just love the way you make them, Pat.”
“What’s happening out there?” Michele poured a cup of coffee for Greg. He looked half frozen.
“Schwagel’s in the penalty box, and the Locker Room Jocks just scored again. The Red Carpet Sweepers are getting trounced.”
“The game’s not over yet.” Steve pulled out the flask Greg had stashed under the counter and added a shot to his coffee. “You look like you could use this. The wind’s blowing pretty hard out there. Somebody just told us it was twenty below with the wind-chill factor.”
Greg rubbed his hands together briskly and cupped them around his coffee. “Thanks, Steve. Help yourself if you get cold.”
Steve put the bottle back in its place under the counter. “I’ll wait until later. I’m officially on duty tonight.”
“How’s the snack bar doing?”
“It boggles the mind how people can drink cold beer in this weather, but we’re into our fourth keg already.”
Michele nodded. “Add over three hundred hot dogs to that and about fifty gallons of coffee. The hot chocolate’s not far behind. I had two hundred packets when we opened, and there’re only about thirty left.”
There was a roar from the crowd, and Steve climbed up onto the counter to look.
“Schwagel’s out, and it looks like he just scored. The Red Carpet Sweepers are making a comeback.”
“I’d better get back to work.” Greg finished his coffee in one gulp and put on his heavy wool gloves. “Halftime’s coming up, and I’ve got lots of WinterGame buttons to sell. When’s Judith coming in?”
“Any minute now. She figured she could be here by ten. Then she’ll count the money and make the deposit. Zapp Bank’s set up a special account for us.”
“Zapp Bank.” Greg laughed. “I’ve lived here all my life, but that name still gets to me. One of these days I’ll open an account just so I can have it on my checks.”
Judith hung up the phone and smiled. Toni was coming home tonight. Toni had said the seminar was boring, the hotel room was awful, and the weather in Chicago was even worse than it was in St. Cloud. Judith had known what that meant. Toni was miserable without her. It was wonderful to know that Toni had missed her just as much as she’d missed Toni.
At least she hadn’t spoiled Toni’s seminar with the news about the St. Cloud killer. Judith had been very careful not to mention a thing. She didn’t want Toni flying home early just because she was worried. It was much better this way. Toni had made the decision herself.
It was already ten minutes past nine. Judith glanced down at her plaster-covered smock and decided that she didn’t dare appear in public this way. She had to change in a hurry so she could catch the end of the hockey game and pick up the bank deposit. Toni wouldn’t get here until three in the morning, and that gave her enough time to really make the place look spiffy. The loft didn’t look all that bad, considering she hadn’t picked up anything since Toni left last week.
Judith walked quickly through the bedroom she shared with Toni and grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a turtleneck sweater from the pile of clothes on the dresser. She was smiling as she stuffed the rest of them into the drawers. She wasn’t the neatest person in the world, but Toni loved her. And she was trying not to be such a slob.
It didn’t take more than a quick glance around the bedroom to see the difference in their personalities. Toni’s blue-and-white-flowered nightgown was folded neatly on her side of the bed while Judith’s red flannel pajamas were tossed in a crumpled heap on the floor. Toni’s nightstand was precisely arranged, Kleenex box on the right, the book she was reading on the left. Judith’s was cluttered with candy bar wrappers, a half-eaten bag of garlic and onion potato chips, and an open bottle of Excedrin. Judith hadn’t slept in the bedroom since Toni left for Chicago. The couch in the living room was lumpy, but it was depressing to sleep in their king-sized bed alone.
Judith jumped as something brushed up against her leg. Then she laughed and scooped up Lord Greystoke, the big gray tomcat that had adopted them last winter. He was old—the vet guessed his age at somewhere between nine and eleven—but he was still an incredible mouser. He roamed all night in the studio downstairs, and every Sunday morning they’d find the body of a mouse or rat placed neatly on the landing at the top of the stairs. Toni was disgusted the first time it happened, but Judith explained that Lord Greystoke was just paying his weekly rent. Now Toni praised him lavishly when they picked up the little bodies. The rodent damage to her weaving materials had stopped completely since Lord Greystoke moved in.
“What’s the matter, Greystoke?”
Judith frowned as the cat jumped from her arms. The hackles rose on his back, and he streaked out the door, heading for the studio. There must be a mouse or rat downstairs. Lord Greystoke was practically catatonic unless he was mousing.
Did she have time for a shower? Judith glanced at the clock and decided to risk it. She could still be at the rink by ten-fifteen at the latest. She turned on the water and threw her clothes in the hamper. Then she wouldn’t have to pick them up later. Even though she’d resisted like crazy, she was learning good habits from Toni after all.
CLEARWATER FARM. Spud read the sign out loud. “Turn in here, Arnie. She lives upstairs in that old barn. They had pictures of it in the paper last year.”
“Maybe we better put these on.” Arnie reached under the seat and pulled out three ski masks. “The wife keeps ’em here for when we all go out with the snowmobiles.”
Spud’s ski mask was a little tight, but he pulled it on anyway. It was a good idea. There were times when Arnie was plenty smart. They sure as hell didn’t want to be recognized.
All three men piled out of the truck with Spud in the lead. Herb staggered a little, but he managed to stay on his feet.
“We’ll go in through those old doors. Then nobody can see us from the street.”
Spud forced open the old barn door and motioned for Arnie and Herb to follow him. It was dark inside, but a little light came through the window. All sorts of rock slabs were sitting around, and it reminded Spud of a graveyard. He jumped a foot when something moved in the corner.
“Christ! What’s that?”
Herb and Arnie froze. Spud forced himself to walk across the floor and peer behind a block of granite sitting on a pedestal. He wasn’t about to admit that he was scared.
“It’s only a frigging
cat. C’mon, you guys. Be real quiet.”
All three men were as quiet as drunks could be as they headed for the stairway to the loft. Spud led the way to the top and stopped on the landing to listen.
“We’ve got it made. The shower’s running. Break that lock, Herb, and let’s catch her when she comes out.”
Herb gave an obscene laugh as he broke the lock on the door. “You get t’go first, Spud. It was your idea. Then me and then Arnie. She doesn’t know it yet, but we’re gonna do her a big favor tonight.”
Judith turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. She felt much better. Now she had to hurry and get dressed. She didn’t want to be too late.
One of Toni’s flower-printed bath sheets was draped over the back of the hamper, and Judith wrapped it around her body securely. Then she opened the bathroom door and stepped out.
“What the—”
Herb and Arnie grabbed her before she had time to react. Herb clamped a hand over her mouth and Spud ripped off the bath sheet.
“Hey, that’s not bad.” Spud grinned, and the ski mash pulled tight across his face. “Wait’ll you see what I got for you, baby.”
Judith tried to kick out, but the three men just laughed and held her tighter. She managed to get her mouth open slightly and bit down as hard as she could on the hand that was covering her mouth.
“Bitch!”
Herb jerked his hand back and slapped Judith’s face hard. “Don’t do that again. You make us mad and we get real mean.”
Judith’s heart was pounding, and her throat was dry with terror. Her knees sagged weakly as they dragged her over to the bed and forced her down. Judith looked up in horror as the tall man unzipped his pants. Oh, God, they were going to rape her!
Now the tall man was kneeling over her, jerking her legs apart roughly, and all of them were touching her, grabbing, hurting, fingers probing in places that made her shudder with revulsion. She screamed, but one of them clamped a hand over her mouth so hard that she whimpered in pain. All she could think of was Toni. Thank God Toni was still in Chicago. Then the room was closing in, getting smaller, growing dimmer. She was in a darkening tunnel, traveling backward, rushing away from the light at the entrance. She tried to scream again, but the darkness folded around her, and she escaped completely into deep, comforting blackness.
Alan spotted Steve by the snack bar. He grabbed Junior’s arm and towed him through the crowd with Skuza bringing up the rear.
“C’mon, Junior. We gotta tell him.”
“But what if he thinks I did it?”
“We were right there, Junior. He’ll believe us. Steve’s a regular guy. He stopped me for speeding last month, and he didn’t even call my dad.”
“Hi! Uh . . . Steve?” Alan’s voice broke a little. “Could we talk to you a minute?”
Steve walked over to the group of boys. All three of them looked scared.
“Sure, Alan. How are you doing?”
“Fine. Just fine. We . . . uh . . . we wondered if you’d come with us for a couple of minutes. There’s something we have to show you.”
“Is it important?”
All three boys nodded. It was pretty clear that they were worried.
“Okay. Just let me get somebody to fill in for me, and I’ll be right with you.”
Skuza watched Steve walk away. He looked around nervously. “Maybe you should’ve told him right off.”
“I thought we’d be better off showing him. He’s got to go there anyway.”
In a moment Steve was back. Louise had promised to help Michele at the snack bar until he got back.
“Okay, guys, let’s go. Is this thing you want to show me close by?”
Skuza swallowed hard. “It’s a couple blocks away. I can drive you.”
“Thanks, but I’ll follow you in the squad car.”
Steve followed the Buick down Division Street. This was probably some typical teenage thing, but they were pretty upset about it. He liked Alan Gross, and the other two seemed like nice kids. It made Steve feel good to know that the teenagers in town felt free to come to him with their problems.
Judith grabbed a quilt and wrapped up in it. She couldn’t stop shaking, but maybe it wasn’t from the cold. The first thing she had done when she was sure they were gone was to get out her gun and load it. Then she’d scrubbed with soap and hot water. Now she was huddled on the couch in the living room, sipping vodka straight from the bottle.
The phone rang, and Judith reached out for it. She hoped it wasn’t Toni again. Toni had a sixth sense. She’d know that something was terribly wrong even if Judith tried to fool her.
“Hello?”
“Judith? It’s Michele. Are you all right?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
Judith tried to make her voice sound even and normal. Why was Michele calling her?
“Are you coming down to get the deposit?”
“Oh. Uh . . . could you bring it here, Michele? I—I got involved in something and . . . Michele? Could you—could you come alone? I really have to talk to you.”
“Okay. I can do that. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“I’m fine now. Just come over after the game. Please.”
Michele hung up the phone and walked back to the snack bar. Louise was busy filling orders.
“Judith asked me if I’d bring the deposit. She said something came up. Is Steve back yet?”
“Not yet.” Louise laughed. “He’s been gone for only five minutes, Michele.”
“It seems a lot longer than that.” Michele put on her best may-I-help-you-please smile and turned to face the customers. “I can take the next order over here. Four coffees? Coming right up.”
Michele was locking the shutters on the snack bar when Steve called out her name. The moment she saw his face Michele knew something awful had happened.
“Steve! What?”
“Later, Michele. Let’s go.”
Michele’s dread grew as Steve tucked the cashbox under his arm and led her to the car. Something was terribly wrong. The friendly lover who had left her less than thirty minutes ago had turned into a grim-faced, worried stranger.
“I have to go over to Judith’s, Steve. She wants me to bring the deposit.”
“Michele? I’ve got bad news. Honey?”
Michele shivered so hard her teeth chattered. Whatever it was, she didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to face this awful thing that had turned Steve into a stranger.
“Honey, it’s Brian.”
“No!”
She wouldn’t listen. Then he couldn’t tell her. It wasn’t fair. She had a right to be happy. She was in love, and everything was falling apart around them.
The cold block of ice in her mind refused to thaw as Steve gathered her in his arms and held her tightly. He didn’t have to say any more. She knew that Brian was dead.
“All right, baby. Take it easy. Put your head down. That’s it.”
He was rubbing her shoulders. His warm, loving hands were starting to melt the ice. Michele tried to resist. She didn’t want to feel anything. She wanted to be numb. It was so much safer.
Michele buried her head in Steve’s shoulder and sobbed. The ice was melting, and it turned to a geyser of tears. Brian was dead. Sweet, serious Brian. No more midnight arguments with Judith and Toni and Greg. No more Brian calling her just because he felt like talking at three in the morning and Greg was asleep. She hadn’t realized how much she loved Brian until this very minute, and she’d never told him what his friendship had meant to her.
It was a long time before she could speak. Then she looked up at Steve and took a deep breath.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know yet, honey. It looks like the same killer. Are you all right now?”
“Yes.” Michele took the big handkerchief Steve gave her and wiped her face. “I’ll have to tell Judith. It’s going to be awful.”
“I’ll tell her. That’s my job.”
Steve star
ted the car and let it warm up for a minute. He stared at the snow-covered windshield and shook his head.
“It’s crazy, Michele. I went through all sorts of classes training me for things like this, but none of it does any good. I had to tell Greg, and I’ve never seen so much pain on anyone’s face before. It’s just so damned hard. All of it.”
Something in Steve’s voice made her look up. There were tears in his eyes. He really cared. His tears made her love him even more.
“I’ll take care of Judith.” Michele reached up to lay her hand against his cheek. “Just drop me off and go do whatever you have to do.”
“You don’t know what you mean to me, Michele. Even with all this grief coming down right now, I’m happy in some crazy kind of way. It doesn’t make any sense, does it?”
“It does to me.”
Michele sat quietly next to Steve as he put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. She held his hand all the way to Clearwater Road and let go only when he turned into Judith’s driveway.
“I don’t like leaving you here alone.”
“It’s all right, Steve. Judith’s waiting for me. See? She just turned on the light.”
“I’ll be back in an hour. Lock the doors, Michele, and don’t let anyone in. Promise?”
“I promise.”
Michele hurried up the stairs and went in the kitchen door. She locked it behind her and watched while Steve pulled out of the driveway. Suddenly she felt very alone.
“Judith?”
“In the living room, Michele.”
Judith was sitting on the couch in the shadows. The only light in the room came from a candle on the table.
“It’s dark in here. Do you mind if I turn on the light?”
“Go ahead.”
Michele switched on the old-fashioned floor lamp and gasped as she caught sight of Judith’s swollen face.
“My God, what happened?”
