What Holly Heard Page 8

  Ruth turned back to the hamster cage. She sure loves those two hamsters, Miriam thought. I can’t believe she hurries home to them after school.

  “Please don’t go, Miriam, I mean it,” Ruth warned.

  Although Ruth’s voice was calm, Miriam felt a chill crawl up her spine.

  “What could possibly happen at a basketball game?” Miriam asked.

  “I don’t know,” Ruth replied. “But something is going to happen tonight. Something terrible.”

  chapter 20

  Miriam’s mother dropped her off at the gym. Miriam had pleaded again with Ruth. But Ruth wouldn’t change her mind. She had insisted on staying safe at home.

  Maybe she’s the smart one, Miriam thought as she entered the gym by herself.

  She arrived early. The game wasn’t supposed to start for another hour and a half. She hoped to get a moment with Jed before everything started. The afternoon’s explosion still weighed heavily on her mind.

  How could she have thought that Jed had murdered Holly?

  This was Jed! He had no reason to do it, no reason at all.

  She was wrong to accuse him, and she wanted to apologize. He shouldn’t be worrying about her during his big game.

  Miriam strode out into the main hallway, which was nearly deserted this far from game time. She rounded the corner to the boys locker room—and grinned at her good luck.

  Jed leaned over the water fountain, in his warm-up uniform, all alone.

  Before she could call his name, he popped something into his mouth and took a hasty drink to wash it down.

  “Jed!”

  He spun sideways, looking like a deer caught in headlights.

  “Miriam,” he gasped. “You scared me.”

  She approached him with a smile. “I’m sorry. What was that you were taking?”

  “Oh, um, it’s a high-potency vitamin,” he replied. “I found it at a health food store in Waynesbridge. It gives me energy right before the game.”

  Miriam nodded. “Jed, I—”

  He held up a finger to stop her. “Don’t apologize, Miriam. I’m the jerk here, remember?”

  Miriam smiled. “I do remember something like that, now that you mention it.”

  “Look, I’ll make a deal with you. Don’t say anything. I’m going to go out there and kick some Reed Valley butt, mop a few floors, get a couple scholarships, and then we can go out afterward. Sound good?”

  Miriam laughed. “Yeah, it sounds great.”

  “Good. I’ve got to get to warm-ups.” He gave her a quick kiss. A thrill went through her at his touch. She wished he could stay.

  “Jed?” she called.

  He turned back to her.

  “Kill ’em,” she said.

  By the middle of the third quarter, Jed was on fire. He’d already scored twenty-one points, but Shadyside was losing to Reed Valley, 52-45.

  Miriam had never gone to a game by herself before, but she was so into it she didn’t even think about Holly’s absence.

  Until, during a time out, her eyes scanned the bleachers—and came to rest on Noah Brennan.

  He stared back at her.

  Miriam stiffened. Why was he watching her? She scanned the crowd for Mei, but didn’t see her. Miriam pretended not to notice Noah’s glare.

  She focused on the game.

  Jed was barking at his teammates, bringing the ball upcourt. He passed to Gary, who took an outside shot and missed.

  Jed didn’t like that at all. He gave his friend an angry shout after a Reed Valley player got the rebound and brought the ball back downcourt.

  Reed Valley scored.

  Miriam groaned.

  Jed was in a fury. He yanked the ball from the ref and inbounded it violently to Gary again.

  Miriam looked down the bleachers.

  Noah was gone.

  She turned her attention back to the game.

  Jed drove for the basket. He dribbled hard and prepared to leap. Then a Reed Valley player stepped in front of him. Jed barreled over him, stomping him into the floor.

  The refs whistle blew.

  An offensive foul on Jed.

  He exploded. Slammed the ball to the floor.

  It bounced up a good twenty feet, and the crowd let out a gasp. Jed moved into the ref’s face, bellowing words Miriam couldn’t quite make out from her seat in the bleachers. She bit her lip. If he argued any harder, he’d get a technical foul, maybe even an ejection.

  “Back off, Jed,” she pleaded. “Back off.”

  Gary pulled Jed away from the ref. Too late. The ref called the technical foul.

  Jed erupted like a volcano, screaming over Gary’s shoulder.

  Then one of the Reed Valley players yelled something at Jed.

  Miriam watched helplessly as Jed turned on the player.

  And attacked.

  Jed punched him in the jaw, driving the boy’s head back so far that Miriam feared his neck would snap.

  The player dropped instantly. And Jed fell over him. He latched on to his throat with a savage two-handed grip. He choked the player, slamming his head into the hardwood floor over and over again.

  Miriam gasped.

  Jed was killing him!

  The truth hit her that instant.

  In that instant, she knew everything.

  Her mind spun helplessly into a picture so complete, so horrifying, and so true that she was paralyzed by it; Jed’s strong hands pulling Holly’s scarf tight around her throat, all his anger channeled into the desperate act of murder.

  It was true.

  Jed did kill Holly!

  Watching him on the floor, Miriam knew he was the murderer.

  A shudder of dread shook her whole body.

  Now what? she asked herself, feeling so alone, so helpless.

  What do I do now that I know?

  chapter 21

  Miriam struggled to breathe. Again she saw the hideous scene. The blood on Holly’s face. The scarf around her purple, swollen neck. It all made sense now.

  Holly knew something about Jed. Jed found out. No one could keep a secret at this school. Jed found out, waited until everyone was gone—and murdered Holly!

  Jed had been at school that night, all alone with Holly. Miriam knew that. Why hadn’t she seen it before? His sick, cold attitude toward Holly’s death explained everything.

  He said it was Holly’s fault, her own mouth got her killed. She deserved to die.

  Of course he would say those things. He killed her!

  Miriam felt her pulse beating hard at her temples.

  Oh, Jed, she thought, her mind running a thousand miles an hour, why did you do it? How could you kill her? Why why why?

  Jed killed Holly. Plain and simple. Mei and Noah were telling the truth that afternoon. And Miriam had been too blinded by love to see it.

  Terror gripped Miriam as she watched Jed being pulled off the court. His face was red, his chest heaving. He held his head as if in pain, roaring threats and curses. It took three players to drag him off the court and shove him in the direction of the showers.

  He kicked open the door to the locker room and stormed through, alone, enraged.

  A sob rose in Miriam’s throat. Get out of here, she thought. I have to get away from Jed.

  Miriam grabbed her coat and bag and fought her way past knees and legs to the end of the bleachers. She jumped to the floor and raced for the exit.

  There would be no hiding her knowledge from Jed. She wouldn’t be able to fake it. He’d see it in her eyes—and know he had to kill her, too.

  So she ran as fast as she could.

  The cold air felt like needles against her bare cheeks. She didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore. She didn’t have time for fear.

  Miriam thought of Ruth. Only a few blocks from school, Ruth was home. She said she would be home all night.

  Miriam ran through the parking lot. Got to get to Ruth’s house.

  She heard it then.

  The distant sound of the scho
ol doors pushing open. She’d heard it a thousand times after the final bell.

  Someone else had come out.

  She stopped and swept her eyes across the cars in the parking lot.

  No one there.

  Shivering against the cold, she started moving again.

  She stopped when she heard a scuffing sound. Shoes on sidewalk.

  Her heart pounding, Miriam whirled around. Her eyes strained against the darkness.

  They locked on a tall figure striding quickly out of the shadows.

  Into the parking lot.

  Coming for her.

  chapter 22

  Miriam slipped into the deep shadow of a parked car, gazing through the windows at the shape pursuing her.

  Who was it?

  She put a hand against her chest, trying desperately to slow her heartbeat. She concentrated, swallowing her fear, staring with wide eyes through the glass.

  He was definitely male. Tall and lean. Moving smoothly and swiftly. With a stealthy confidence that frightened her even more. This person had a purpose.

  Was it Jed?

  She couldn’t tell. The school floodlights silhouetted his body. She couldn’t see his clothes, couldn’t see his face.

  For all she knew, Jed was still in the locker room, ripping towel dispensers off the wall. This could be anyone. Someone leaving the game. Someone coming outside for a breath of fresh air. He didn’t have to be following her.

  The figure halted.

  She watched his hands ball into fists.

  He scanned the parking lot.

  Who am I kidding? Miriam thought.

  It had to be Jed.

  Who else could it be?

  Then she remembered Noah. Remembered his cold eyes staring from the bleachers. Remembered that he left his seat immediately after seeing her.

  Miriam squinted into the purple-black shadows.

  Was it Noah? Jed?

  The figure moved again, moving quickly toward her.

  Miriam knew one thing: She had to get away!

  She ran bent in a crouch until she cleared the row of cars. At the last car she stood up and broke into a sprint.

  She didn’t care if the guy saw her. She knew her lead was short—fifty yards at best. Could she outrun him?

  “Miriam!”

  The shouted name made her gasp.

  She recognized the voice at once.

  Jed.

  Miriam took off, running as fast as she could.

  “Miriam! Wait! Please!”

  She didn’t slow down.

  Jed was a seasoned athlete in top form. He would catch her.

  Then he would kill her.

  “Miriam! Stop!”

  She made the turn onto Ruth’s street. The houses loomed in darkness, black against a blacker sky. If she yelled for help, no one would hear her.

  Miriam had never felt so utterly alone in her life. Thoughts of pain and death gripped her in terror. But she forced herself to keep running.

  Miriam chanced a quick glance behind her. Her eyes swept frantically over the trees lining the street, the streetlights giving off circles of eerie haze.

  No one there.

  No one chasing her.

  Her pursuer had vanished.

  She slowed, her breath coming in great gulps, her sides spiked with pain.

  She backed into the shadow of a tree trunk and squinted into the darkness.

  No one.

  Ruth’s house came into view, three doors down. Miriam inched cautiously down the sidewalk, half turned to keep her eyes on the street.

  Where was he?

  Where was Jed?

  Had he stopped chasing her? She knew he had his car at the school. Maybe he decided to drive after her.

  How would he know which direction she was headed?

  He’s a psycho, she thought. He’ll drive all over Shadyside looking for me, even if it takes all night.

  Jed, she thought hopelessly, how could you do this to me?

  As if in reply, Jed stepped out of the bushes and blocked her path.

  chapter 23

  “Miriam!” he uttered.

  She screamed.

  Jed grabbed her.

  Tried to cover her mouth.

  She bit his hand.

  He howled and tore his hand away.

  Miriam screamed again. But this time her cry was filled with rage.

  She lashed out in fury. She smashed her elbow into his chest.

  Jed gasped and dropped to his knees. She could see him struggling to breathe.

  For a split second Miriam stood and stared at him. She had never hit anyone before.

  Jed groaned and Miriam jumped away from him.

  Her entire body trembling, she forced herself to run.

  It took all her strength to pull herself up to Ruth’s front door.

  She pounded frantically, glancing back at Jed, still on his knees.

  The porch light came on.

  The door opened slowly.

  Miriam pushed her way into Ruth’s house.

  “Miriam!” Ruth gasped. She was in pajamas and slippers. “What’s wrong?”

  Gasping for breath, Miriam struggled to get the words out.

  Ruth stared in confusion.

  Finally Miriam turned, slammed the front door, and flicked the deadbolt into place.

  “Oh, no!” Ruth’s hand flew to her mouth. “Is it Mei and Noah?”

  Miriam shook her head violently. She took a deep, heaving breath and snarled: “Jed!”

  Ruth’s eyes went wide. “Jed? Jed? That’s impossible!”

  “It’s Jed!” Miriam cried, finding her voice. “Jed did it all! Now lock the back door!”

  “It’s already locked,” Ruth replied. “But, Miriam—”

  Ruth’s voice broke.

  Miriam narrowed her eyes at her friend. To her surprise, Ruth looked terrible.

  Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen, as if she had been crying. Her hair fell in damp tangles.

  “Ruth, what is it? What’s wrong?” Miriam choked out.

  “It isn’t Jed,” Ruth said. “Jed isn’t the murderer.”

  Miriam uttered a startled cry. “Huh? What are you saying? How do you know?”

  A sob escaped Ruth’s throat. “Two other murders,” she choked out in a slow, trembling whisper. “Two other murders. Tonight.”

  chapter 24

  Miriam’s mouth dropped open, but no sound came out.

  “Come on,” Ruth pleaded. She took Miriam by the arm and dragged her upstairs.

  “Ruth, where are we going? We have to call the police. Jed—he’s out there and—”

  “Mei and Noah broke in here tonight!” Ruth revealed. “My mom’s working late tonight. I fell asleep in the family room. A noise woke me up.”

  They reached the top of the steps. Ruth’s bedroom stood straight ahead, the door slightly ajar. Yellow light washed out into the hallway.

  Miriam shivered, wondering what Ruth was so desperate to show her.

  “Mei and Noah were here! And they did this!” Ruth cried.

  She pulled open her bedroom door. It swung wide and banged against the wall.

  Taking a deep breath, Miriam stepped inside. Her eyes swept around the room. At first everything appeared normal. Posters covered the wall. The stereo on its shelf. The bed had been neatly made.

  But then Miriam’s eyes moved to the wall behind the bed.

  To the shelf beneath the window.

  To the dark puddles on the carpet.

  To the two bodies beside the dark puddles.

  And she uttered a scream of horror.

  chapter 25

  Ruth’s hamsters lay in puddles of blood. Gaping in disbelief, Miriam took a step closer.

  “Ohhhhh.” A moan escaped her throat as she saw their heads.

  Their heads.

  Their heads had been smashed. Smashed flat.

  And their little, furry bodies.

  Torn and battered.

  Smashed. />
  Miriam raised a hand to her mouth and tried to fight off wave after wave of nausea.

  “Mei and Noah left a note,” Ruth said in a voice trembling with emotion.

  She picked it up off her desk and read it to Miriam: “Dead hamsters today … Dead girls tomorrow.”

  Miriam suddenly felt dizzy. She slumped against the wall, struggling to hold herself up. “Oh, Ruth!” she cried, gazing down at the battered bodies on the floor. “Ruth …”

  Ruth shook her head, fighting back tears.

  Miriam took a deep breath. She pulled herself up. “We have to call the police.”

  Ruth nodded. “The phone is in my mother’s room. Will you come with me? I—I’m afraid to be alone.”

  “Of course I will,” Miriam replied, putting her arm around Ruth’s shoulders. They made their way down the hall.

  Ruth sat on the edge of her mother’s bed. She took a deep breath and dialed the emergency number.

  Miriam wandered over to the window. Clearly, Mei and Noah were the killers—not Jed. But still, he’d been chasing her.

  Where was he now? Miriam saw no sign of him outside.

  Behind her, Ruth hung up the phone.

  Miriam turned to her friend, not knowing what to say.

  Ruth stared at her. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and Miriam could see the pain there. Ruth had been so attached to her hamsters.

  Miriam felt a shiver. How could Mei and Noah do this? What did they plan to do to Ruth and her?

  Ruth had begun to cry.

  Miriam handed her a tissue. “Do you want to get dressed before the police get here?” she asked.

  “I can’t go back in my room with Lizzy and Tilly like that!” Ruth cried.

  “I’ll go back and cover them up,” Miriam offered. “You don’t have to see them like that again.”

  Ruth murmured her thanks.

  “You wait here,” Miriam said soothingly. She crossed the hallway and made her way back into Ruth’s room.

  She glanced around the room in search of a shirt, a coat, anything to cover Lizzy and Tilly. The closet door caught her eye.

  There’s probably a shoebox or something in there, she thought. She pulled open the door.

  Miriam searched the shelf for a box, but all she found were a few sweaters. Glancing down, she saw a red-and-black flannel shirt on the floor. It was balled up, practically tied in a knot.