“Polly—I wish you were here.” Gretchen gazed into her laptop screen.
“But FaceTime is almost as good,” Polly said.
“Did you add highlights to your hair?”
Polly grinned. “Think it works?”
“Definitely.”
Gretchen studied her friend on the screen. Polly was so light and small. With her flood of auburn curls bouncing on her round face, pale creamy cheeks, and those huge brown eyes, she looked like a little doll. Everything about her said energy and dynamo and electricity and pep.
She was the best cheerleader at Savanna Mills. So light and springy and a total daredevil. Gretchen sometimes felt like an elephant beside her, although Polly never stopped talking about how much she admired Gretchen’s skill and athleticism and mature good looks.
A perfect team.
“So tell me what’s happening,” Polly said, her expression turning serious. “This must have been a total nightmare for you, Gretchen.”
Gretchen nodded and once again stifled a sob. “Madison was my friend, the only friend I’ve made in Shadyside.”
Polly brushed a strand of curls off her forehead. “Have they caught the murderer?”
Gretchen shook her head. “It’s Devra Dalby. I told you on the phone last night, I know it’s Devra. I’m so terrified. I’m the only one who knows.”
Gretchen raised her eyes to the clock over the sink. “I have to go to a cheerleader meeting in a little while. I … I’m dreading it, Polly. I’m afraid to be in the same room with Devra.”
“And what about the retreat?” Polly asked.” You said there was a cheerleader retreat…?”
Gretchen nodded. “Can you imagine? We’re all going to be staying in cabins in the woods. In the woods with a crazed killer? A crazed killer who hates me. I’m so scared, Polly, I can’t even think about it.”
“Did you talk to the cheerleader coach?” Polly asked. “Did you talk to the police?”
“I finally talked to two officers last night,” Gretchen said. “I told them everything. About the acid Devra was using on a cabinet. Everything.”
“And?”
“They said they were following all leads.” Gretchen sighed. “They were very nice. I told them what good friends Madison and I were. I think they were being careful not to upset me. But they didn’t seem terribly interested in what I had to say.”
“Weird,” Polly muttered. “And are they opening your school again?”
Gretchen nodded. “Tomorrow. It’s been closed for two days. But it’s opening tomorrow, and guess what? The principal decided to go ahead with the football game Friday night.”
Polly’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
“Really. He said it would be good for school morale.”
Polly twisted a corner of her mouth up as she thought about that. A tiny dimple formed in her cheek. She really does look like a toy doll, Gretchen thought, even when she’s being totally serious and thoughtful.
She’s so sweet. The best friend I could ever have.
“I have to go to the cheerleader meeting,” Gretchen said. “I’m so glad we had a chance to talk. It really helps, Polly. It really does.”
Gretchen clicked off the connection. She had to drive to school now. She had to see what Coach Walker had to say to the cheerleaders. She had to stand in the same space as Devra Dalby.
Was she in total danger? She never dreamed she’d be in the same room as a murderer.
And one chilling question kept repeating in her mind: Would Devra kill again?