“It’s my uncle’s gun.” There was an expression of horror on Dale’s face. “But I never realized he kept it loaded in his library desk! It’s my fault Susie died. She was in my skit and I should have checked!”
Pete shook his head. “No, Dale. It’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault. I know it sounds cruel to say so right now, but Susie was responsible for her own death. We know what happened. I found the prop gun in the top drawer, and we all saw Susie pull out the second. She made a mistake that turned out to be fatal, but it was an accident.”
Jennifer winced. She knew what everyone else was thinking and it was up to her to say it. “There’s the note Susie got from Kelly. Do you think that . . .”
“No. Absolutely not!” Pete interrupted her. “That note has nothing to do with Susie’s death. I don’t want any of you to even consider it.”
Jennifer took a deep breath. And then she blurted it out. “You’re wrong, Pete.”
Everyone turned to stare at Jennifer. It was the first time they’d ever heard her talk back to a teacher. She could feel herself starting to blush, but she knew she was right and she wasn’t about to back down.
“I don’t believe that Kelly’s ghost murdered Susie. That’s not what I mean at all! But finding that note and worrying about it could have made Susie careless.”
“Jen’s right.” Tim slipped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little hug. “Susie was really distracted after she got that note.”
Pete didn’t look happy, but he nodded. “Okay. You’ve got a point. But what can we do about it?”
“I think Jennifer and Tim should stop planting those notes.” Cheryl sounded angry. “It’s just causing trouble.”
“But we can’t!” Jennifer turned to face Cheryl. “Really, Cheryl . . . we’d stop in a heartbeat if we could, but we’re not doing it!”
Cheryl rolled her eyes at the ceiling. “Sure. And the pope’s not Catholic. Come on, Jen . . . admit it. The fun and games are over and your stupid skit’s causing all sorts of trouble.”
“We’re not the ones causing trouble.” Tim jumped in to defend Jennifer. “Jen and I don’t like the notes, either. We’d stop them if we could, but . . .”
“I know, I know. You don’t have to repeat it.” Cheryl gave Tim a nasty look. “But if you’re not writing the notes, who is?”
Pete held up his hands for silence. “Let’s forget about the notes. They aren’t important. It’s our reaction that’s causing all the trouble. I told Jennifer and Tim to go on with their séance, but maybe I made a mistake.”
“You can’t stop the séances.” Brian’s voice came over the loudspeaker. “It won’t work.”
Jennifer jumped and looked up at the speaker. She’d forgotten that Brian wasn’t with them. “Why won’t it work? Come in here and tell us.”
There was a crackle as Brian shut off the microphone. A moment later, they heard him coming down the stairs from the manager’s office. When he appeared in the doorway, he was frowning.
“Why can’t we cancel, Brian?” Tim frowned right back at him.
“I told you. It won’t work. Once you’ve summoned an angry spirit, you can’t just send it away.”
“You’re making this up!” Cheryl turned to glare at him. “You’re just trying to frighten us.”
Brian shook his head. “No, I’m not. Zada brought some books with her and I read them last night.”
“But . . . why?” Jennifer looked puzzled.
“Because I needed some answers. Something weird is going on here, and I wanted to find out what it was.”
Everyone was silent for a long moment and then Jennifer asked the question. “Did you find out?”
“Yes. It’s right here on page fifty-three.” Brian opened one of the books. “It says, Beware lest you summon an angry spirit, for it shall not go quietly. The living may not alter or even intrude upon such a spirit’s chosen path without risking death. I think we can safely assume that Kelly’s spirit is angry . . . right?”
“Right,” Tim said. “Kelly’s spirit certainly seems to be angry. But that book just describes what’s happening. We need to know what we can do about it.”
“I was coming to that.” Brian flipped open another book. “There’s more right here. An angry spirit must be acknowledged. Wrongs committed during the spirit’s lifetime must be righted by those who remain behind. Only when the spirit is appeased, will it will slip back from hence it came.”
“Oh, that’s just great!” Cheryl sounded very sarcastic. “What do we have to do? Round up all the kids who were mean to Kelly in grade school, and offer them up as a living sacrifice?”
Brian didn’t laugh. “Close, but not quite. We already know why Kelly’s spirit is angry. She said she was murdered and she came back tell us who killed her. If we catch her killer, Kelly’s spirit will be appeased.”
“I guess that makes some kind of sense,” Jennifer said. “But how are we going to do that?”
Lexie started to grin. “I know! We’re going to switch the séance into one of those murder-mystery parties. You guys must have planned it this way.”
“But we didn’t!” Jennifer frowned. “Honestly, Lexie. I don’t know anything about a murder-mystery party.”
“Me, neither.” Tim shook his head. “This is all Brian’s idea.”
Brian looked very serious as he shook his head. “It’s not my idea, either. It’s Kelly’s. She’s the one who wants us to find her killer. That means we’ve got to hold another séance. It’s the only way that Kelly can tell us who killed her.”
“Brian’s right. We can’t stop now. Let’s go on with the séances.” Tommy looked serious, too. “If somebody murdered Kelly, I want to know who it is.”
Lexie nodded. “Me, too! But there’s only eight of us left. Will it work?”
“It’ll work.” Brian sounded very certain. “How about it, Pete? Can we hold another séance?”
Pete shrugged. “Let’s put it to the vote. How many want another séance?”
Tommy and Lexie raised their hands and a moment later, so did Cheryl. Jennifer hid a grin. It was clear that Cheryl wasn’t going to be left out of anything that Tommy wanted to do.
“I’m in,” Brian said. “How about you, Tim?”
“Sure. If everyone wants another séance, I’m willing to take part. But we can’t do it without you, Jen.”
Jennifer hesitated and then she nodded. “All right. Since I started the whole thing, I guess it’s only right that I follow through. How about you, Dale?”
“Okay.” Dale looked amused. “I’ll cast my vote with the majority. But I think you should be in on it, Pete. I know this isn’t really the time to bring it up, but the table’s getting kind of empty.”
There was a moment of silence and then Pete stood up. “All right. I’ll take part. Get into your séance clothes and we’ll meet around the table in fifteen minutes.”
Jennifer was dressed and ready when Tim knocked on her door. But he didn’t wait for her to answer. He just opened the door, crossed the room to where she was standing, and took her into his arms for a long, comforting kiss.
When the kiss ended, Tim looked down into her eyes. There was a gentle, caring expression on his face. “Are you okay, Jen?”
“I am now.” Jennifer snuggled a little closer. “But I can’t understand why Brian practically forced us into holding another séance. I talked to him yesterday morning and he told me he didn’t believe in Kelly’s spirit.”
“Maybe he changed his mind.”
“Maybe.” Jennifer took Tim’s hand and they walked toward the door. But she didn’t really believe that Brian had changed his mind. There was another reason, and Jennifer just hoped that it wouldn’t lead to even more trouble.
Everyone felt much better when they left the séance table. Absolutely nothing out of the ordinary had happened. There had been no knocks, no voices, no candles that mysteriously extinguished themselves. There was no evidence that Kelly’s spirit had even heard them and that was just fine with Cheryl. She wanted Kelly’s spirit to disappear so Tommy could concentrate on the living, particularly on her.
Cheryl grinned as she climbed the stairs. At least one thing had worked in her favor. Since she’d been sitting next to Tommy at the séance, Pete had paired them together. He’d told them there’d been too many accidents and he was starting a new policy. Everyone was now on the buddy system, and no one was allowed to go anywhere alone. Their buddies had to know where they were at all times, and anyone who got a note from Kelly had to promise to report to the group immediately. Tommy was Cheryl’s buddy, Lexie was paired with Dale, Tim was Jennifer’s guardian, and Brian and Pete had agreed to keep an eye on each other.
“I’ll wait out here until you’re ready.” Tommy stood to the side as Cheryl opened her door. “Just call if you need me.”
Cheryl turned to smile at him. “Don’t be silly, Tommy. Why don’t you just come in?”
“No.” Tommy looked uncomfortable as he shook his head. “Guys aren’t allowed in the girls’ rooms. Go ahead, Cheryl. I’ll wait right here.”
“All right. Whatever you want.” Cheryl managed to keep the pleasant expression on her face until she’d shut the door behind her. Then she started to scowl and she just barely resisted the urge to fling her shoe at the back of the door. What was wrong with Tommy? She’d expected him to jump at the chance to come into her room, and he had turned her down!
Could it be Lexie? Cheryl thought about it for a second and then she shook her head. Impossible! Lexie was short and skinny, without a sexy bone in her body. There was no way that Tommy could be seriously interested in her. Cheryl had been very jealous when she’d seen them holding hands, but now she realized that Tommy was probably just being kind to an unfortunate girl who obviously adored him.
Cheryl slipped out of her clothes and examined her figure in the mirror. She was much prettier than Lexie with curves in all the right places and a face that a model would envy. She was perfect for Tommy, but why had he turned down her invitation?
Kelly. Cheryl began to frown. Tommy was still thinking about Kelly. The séances had depressed him, bringing back painful memories of the girl he’d loved. Luckily, Cheryl had thought of a perfect way to take his mind off his former girlfriend.
It didn’t take long to get into her bathing suit, a tiny white bikini that was sure to take Tommy’s mind off Kelly. She slipped on a robe, no sense showing Tommy more than he could handle at the moment, and picked up her portable CD player. She’d already chosen the CDs she wanted to play and they were all mellow, romantic albums.
The next thing to pack was her sports bag. Cheryl hurried to the bathroom to get her scented bubble bath. She opened the medicine cabinet and then she saw it, a small gold class ring on the top shelf. There was a rolled piece of paper stuck through the band, and she gasped as she saw the initials on the ring. K.A.B. Kelly Anne Bridges. It was Kelly’s class ring! And even before she unrolled the note, Cheryl knew it was a message from Kelly.
The handwriting was the same. She recognized it from the other notes. Cheryl frowned as she read the message. It said, Cheryl—The killer is one of you. I will tell you who murdered me tonight.
“Oh, sure!” Cheryl laughed and slipped the class ring back on the shelf. Jennifer and Tim were up to their old tricks and this time she’d been chosen. She wasn’t nervous, not even a little bit, but Pete had made them promise to report any messages from Kelly and that meant a change in her plans for the evening.
Cheryl thought about leaving the note and the ring right there on the shelf. She could always claim she hadn’t found them. But now that she considered it carefully, the note might actually help her. Tommy was waiting outside her room. He might decide to wait outside the spa, too. And if Tommy refused to climb into the Jacuzzi with her, all her plans for a romantic evening would be ruined.
There was a smile on Cheryl’s face as she picked up the note and headed for the door. Jennifer and Tim might not realize it, but they’d done her a big favor. Because of the note, Tommy would be her captive audience tonight. He was honor-bound not to leave her. That would give Cheryl plenty of time to convince him that she was the perfect girl for him.
Tommy looked very serious as he unlocked the door to the spa. “Are you sure you’ll be all right while I change?”
“Of course I will.” Cheryl nodded quickly. “Just take the key and lock the door behind you. You can let yourself in when you come back.”
As soon as Tommy had left the room, Cheryl started her preparations. Everyone had been very upset when she’d reported the note and Tommy had agreed when she’d suggested that he sleep in the adjoining room, so all she had to do was call out if there was any sign of trouble.
The rest of the girls had objected. Boys weren’t supposed to be on the girls’ floor. Lexie and Jennifer had even offered to stay in Cheryl’s room, but Cheryl had turned them down. If Kelly’s spirit tried to kill her, Lexie and Jennifer wouldn’t be able to protect her. But Tommy might. He could reason with Kelly’s spirit and convince her not to do any more harm.
Cheryl was grinning as she poured bath oil in the Jacuzzi and watched the bubbles form. After their interlude in the Jacuzzi, she was almost sure Tommy would never even set foot in the adjoining room. They’d keep the doors locked and closed. No one would have to know except them. And after one night with her, Cheryl was sure that Tommy would be hers for life.
Music was next, and she slipped Tommy’s favorite CD into her player. She turned it on, but no sound came out of the speakers. A glance at the battery case and she knew what was wrong. One of the batteries was missing. She should have thought to check it before she’d left her room.
There were batteries in her room and she thought about going back to get them. But Tommy could be back any minute and she really didn’t want to leave. Thank goodness there was a power source! There was an outlet on the far wall and a thick, black extension cord was rolled up neatly on the bench.
Cheryl hooked everything up and carried the CD player close to the Jacuzzi. She’d still have to climb out of the Jacuzzi to change CDs. It was too dangerous to touch the player while they were sitting in a pool of water. But she wouldn’t have to walk all the way across the room to do it.
The CD player worked perfectly and Cheryl smiled as she sat down on the ledge of the Jacuzzi and took out her contact lenses. Removing them later might interrupt a very romantic moment, and she wouldn’t need them tonight. Everything would be a blur, but that wouldn’t matter. She didn’t need to see to be sexy for Tommy. Then she climbed into the Jacuzzi and sighed in pleasure. The hot, scented water felt wonderful. She’d just leaned back and begun to relax when she heard the key in the door.
Tommy was here! Cheryl put on her sexiest expression and turned toward the door. There was a moment of wonderful anticipation that made her heart beat fast, and then the door opened.
“Hi, Tommy.” Cheryl’s voice was low and husky. But Tommy didn’t reply and she giggled. Seeing her like this had made him speechless.
“Come on over here and join me.” Cheryl reached out and brushed away some of the bubbles. “This Jacuzzi is just perfect for two.”
But Tommy still didn’t reply and her smile began to fade. What was wrong with him? Why didn’t he say something?
“Tommy? Is everything all right?”
Cheryl sat up and squinted. And then she saw a shape moving toward the Jacuzzi and she smiled again. “Come on, Tommy . . . I’m getting lonesome in here.”
Tommy still didn’t say anything. He just walked closer and picked up the CD player.
“What’s the matter? I put on your favorite album.” Cheryl tried to sound pleasant, but she was really getting a little angry. Tommy knew you weren’t supposed to pick up a CD player when it was running. It might scratch the disk, or jam, or something equally expensive to fix.
“What are you doing?” Cheryl gasped as he held the CD player in one hand and raised it like a football. “Tommy! Stop it!”
And then, before she had time to scream, the CD player was hurtling forward in an arc toward the water.
“Tommy! Nooo!“
Cheryl barely had time to scream before the CD player hit the surface of the water. There was a spark, a loud pop, and a sizzle like a steak thrown on a red-hot grill. And almost instantaneously Cheryl was just as dead as that steak, seared to death in a pool of bubbling, scented water.