Afraid (25 page)

Julie shuddered. She'd go back to the switchboard and watch the front door. And if he tried to get in, she'd call Sheriff Nelson.

She was just entering the lobby when she heard it, a creaking noise in one of the rooms upstairs. The doors were securely locked, but what if someone was in the lodge with her? What if the stalker had been inside all along? He could have made the call from an inside phone!

Julie took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. The lodge was an old building, and old buildings sometimes creaked in the wind. Aunt Caroline had warned her that it could be scary at night, especially if the wind picked up.

She glanced out the window and saw the pine trees swaying, their branches whipping back and forth in the wind. The storm had arrived. But it was almost six-thirty, and they should be back any minute. She'd sit at the switchboard, her finger on the one-button emergency code for Sheriff Nelson, just in case.

She had almost reached the switchboard when the lights went out. Julie gasped and stopped in her tracks. The moon cast huge, looming shadows through the lobby windows, and even the overstuffed leather couches looked menacing. But it wasn't unusual for the power to go out during a storm, and the wind was blowing even harder now.

Julie clutched the knife and tiptoed silently around the desk. The icy snow pelting against the glass sounded like snare drums, rattling faster and faster until they reached a frightening crescendo. The wind was howling now, screeching around the corner of the building, moaning and shrieking like some giant, prehistoric animal in pain.

Then she heard it again, and she huddled behind the desk. She hadn't been imagining things. There was someone on the second floor, moving toward the main staircase. The top step creaked, and Julie's heart pounded hard in her chest. One of the workmen? No, they'd loaded their truck and left at five o'clock. It was the stalker! And he was inside the lodge!

Then, as if to confirm her worst nightmare, the whispery voice floated down from the top of the staircase.
“Come out, Vicki. I know you're here. You've been a very bad girl.”

Julie reached up and grabbed the phone. She had to call Sheriff Nelson. But there was no dial tone. The stalker had cut the phone line!

“Come out, Vicki.”
The voice was nearer now, and Julie heard a footstep on the second stair.
“It won't do any good to hide. I checked all the rooms, and I know you're down here. Come to Daddy, and take your punishment like a good girl.”

Daddy? Julie's mind whirled in dizzy circles. It was Uncle Bob! And he thought she was Vicki! Julie was so shocked, the knife clattered from her hand. And then she heard another stair creak, and then another. He was coming down to get her!

Julie knew she didn't have time to look for the knife. It was very dark, and it might take her precious moments to find it. Instead, she forced her trembling legs to move, across the floor toward the back staircase. She had to sneak up the back stairs and hide in her room. It was the safest place. He'd already checked it and found it empty.

Quietly, stealthily, Julie opened the door to the staircase. This was a deadly game of hide and seek, and she was “it.” She couldn't let Uncle Bob find her, not if she wanted to live. He'd kill her, just as he'd killed Vicki!

The narrow stairwell had no windows, and now, with the power out, it was pitch black. It was also unheated, and Julie shivered as a blast of cold air came out to meet her. Thank goodness Donna had shown her this staircase! They'd used it to carry Vicki's tapes to the fourth floor, and it had been scary even with the lights on. Since no one used it anymore, it was cleaned only once a year, and Julie shuddered as she remembered the dust and spiderwebs that they'd encountered.

Julie stepped into the dark, cold space and shut the door silently behind her. She shivered as she reached out and grabbed the banister. Spiderwebs were creepy, but she was glad the back staircase was in such disreputable condition. Uncle Bob would never think to look for her here.

She seemed to remember that the staircase had creaked, and she stayed close to the wall, trying to avoid the center of the steps. The back staircase had never been intended to be used by guests, even when the lodge was first built. It was an employee staircase, and since the elevator had been installed, it hadn't been used at all. Julie held tightly to the rail with one hand while she brushed the wall with the other. How many steps until she reached the landing? It seemed she'd been climbing forever in this cold, dark, airless place.

The banister ended abruptly, and Julie stumbled slightly. Seventeen steps. She'd count them from now on, and hope that there were the same number between each floor. She stepped out on the second-floor landing, her heart beating so rapidly she was afraid she might faint. What if Uncle Bob had heard her? He could be lurking behind the door that led to the second-floor hallway, ready to leap out and grab her as she crept by.

Julie hesitated, shrinking back against the wall. But she couldn't stay here forever. She had to get up to her room, where she could lock the door. Crossing the landing was a chance she had to take. It was only way she could get to the next flight of stairs.

She held her breath as she tiptoed across the landing and turned the corner. She'd made it! There were seventeen more steps to climb to the third floor, and Julie counted as she climbed. She didn't want to stumble again.

It seemed to take forever to reach the third-floor landing. She tiptoed across it, trying to calm the rapid tattoo of her heart. Another seventeen steps and she was on the fourth floor landing. Now all she had to do was open the hallway door, slip inside, and race to her room.

Julie grasped the doorknob and turned it. But nothing happened! It was locked! She swallowed down her sudden panic and tried again. It was no use. The doorknob wouldn't turn. What would happen if she stayed here on the stairs? Would Uncle Bob find her before Ross and Aunt Caroline got home?

Suddenly a horrible thought flashed through Julie's mind. What if the reservation had been a fake, a trick to lure Aunt Caroline and Ross to the airport? Uncle Bob could have used his whispery voice as a disguise, so Aunt Caroline wouldn't recognize it. If Uncle Bob had made that call, there would be no guests at the airport. And Ross and Aunt Caroline might wait for hours for a plane that would never arrive!

Frantically, Julie tugged at the door. It flew open with a jerk, and she almost fell. The knob had never been designed to turn. It was just a handle to pull the door.

The hallway was as dark as the stairwell, and Julie peered into its inky blackness as she took a tentative step inside. The moon would have seemed as bright as day right now, but its light was blocked by two outside walls.

Julie felt her way down the hallway, touching the wall as she went. Distances were deceiving, and she almost crashed into the double antique doors. The key was in her pocket and she unlocked them quickly. Then she stepped inside, comforted by the bright moonlight streaming in the living room window, and hurried to her room, stepping in and locking her door behind her. But Uncle Bob was strong, and the flimsy lock wouldn't keep him out for long. Julie glanced around the room, her eyes stopping at the heavy dresser that was only a few feet from the door.

The dresser scraped as she pushed it across the floor. If luck was with her, he wouldn't hear it. But even if he did, it would take him precious minutes to break· the lock on her door and push the heavy piece of furniture out of the way.

Now there was nothing to do but wait. Julie sat down on the edge of the bed and stared at the door, her heart pounding in fear. How long would it take for Uncle Bob to find her? Aunt Caroline and Ross just had to get here before he broke into her room and killed her!

“W
as that the phone?” Donna frowned as she unplugged the vacuum.

“Don't worry about it. I turned on the answering machine.” Paul climbed down from the ladder and stood back to survey the paint he'd just applied to the walls. “Do you see any spots I missed?”

“It looks good to me. I think Grandma's going to love this color. Mom says she's always wanted a pink bedroom.”

“It looks like the inside of a Pepto Bismol bottle to me.” Paul sighed as he began gathering up his painting supplies. “I just hope it dries before the furniture gets here tomorrow.”

Donna nodded and smiled at him. “It'll dry. We'll leave the window open. I'm getting hungry. Do you want to go out for a hamburger?”

“Sure. You finish up in here and I'll put the painting stuff away.”

Donna glanced around the room with pride. They'd really worked hard today. The guest house had never been used for anything except storage, and they'd moved what seemed like hundreds of boxes into the garage.

“Ready?” Paul appeared in the doorway.

“Almost.” Donna walked over to the basket under the mail slot and picked it up, intending to take it into the kitchen to clean it. Then she noticed that there was an envelope inside.

“Oh, great. Grandma's already getting junk mail.” Donna pulled out the envelope, and frowned as she saw the name written on the front. “It must be for you, Paul. It's addressed to Rock.”

Paul reached over and grabbed the envelope out of Donna's hand. His face had turned a pasty white, and Donna stared at him in alarm. “What's wrong?”

“It's got to be from Vicki.”

“But . . . how? Vicki's dead!”

“She must have left it here on the night she died. She always dropped notes here for me. I checked it every morning, but I stopped the night I heard she was dead.”

Paul's hands were shaking as he ripped open the envelope and pulled out the letter inside. He held it for a long moment, without unfolding it.

“Go ahead.” Donna nudged him. “Read it, Paul. It might be important! Don't you want to know what it says?”

“Not really.” Paul stared down at the letter as if it were a bomb ready to explode.

“Well, I do!” Donna snatched it from Paul's hand and unfolded it quickly. “I'll read it to you. Sit down.”

Paul looked dazed as he sat on the edge of the bed. His face was still white, and Donna couldn't blame him for being freaked. Reading a letter from a dead girl was like getting a summons from the grave.

“Relax. It's probably nothing.” Donna patted him on the shoulder. She could understand why Paul was upset, but there was no way she was going to pass up an opportunity to know what Vicki had been thinking on the night she died.

“ ‘Dear Rock.' ”
Donna's voice was hushed as she read the words. “
‘I know I hurt you, and I'm really sorry. But you're still my best friend, and I have to tell someone. Maybe you'll understand, but if you don't,
C'est la vie.
' ”

Paul frowned, and Donna explained.
“C'est la vie
means, ‘That's life.' Vicki took French last year, remember?”

“ ‘I'm leaving tonight to marry Ross. He's waiting for me down in Denver. I set him up, Paul. Right after the Halloween Party,
I
spiked his beer with vodka. And then I sneaked into his room, so I'd be there when he woke up the next morning.' ”

Donna turned to look at Paul, but he was just sitting on the bed, staring off into space. She turned back to the letter again.

“ ‘Of course, nothing happened. He was out like a light. I know it was mean, but I had to do something. And then I waited six weeks and told him that I was pregnant. I figured he'd do the right thing and ask me to marry him, and he did. So I'm going to. And that'll get me out of here, to someplace that's safe.' ”

Donna turned to look at her brother again. He looked absolutely miserable. Maybe reading Vicki's letter out loud wasn't such a good idea. “You look sick, Paul. Do you want me to stop?”

“No. Finish it.”

“ ‘I know you didn't believe me when I told you about the stalker. Mom didn't, either. Everybody thinks I'm crazy, but I'm not. He's out there, and he's going to kill me if I don't get away. I'm going to wait a couple of weeks, and then I'll tell Ross I lost the baby. Then I'll get a job, and I'll work really hard to be a good wife. I owe him that for taking me away from this horrible place!' ”

Donna glanced at Paul again, and they locked eyes. “This doesn't sound like a suicide note, does it?”

“No.” Paul shook his head. “Go on, Donna. Read the rest of it.”

“ ‘I think I know who the stalker is. It's so freaky, I almost don't want to tell you. But I can't tell Mom, and somebody should know the truth. It's Dad. I'm almost sure of it!

“Mr. Hudson?” Donna looked shocked. “I don't believe it! Why would her own father spy on her?”

“I don't know.” Paul looked just as puzzled as Donna.

“ ‘He used to love me when I was little. I can remember how he used to carry me around on his shoulders and tell everybody that I was his baby. But then I started to grow up, and he didn't like that. He used to buy me these awful dresses with ruffles and lace. Mom and I even laughed about how he wanted to keep me a little girl forever.' ”

“That's weird, huh?” Donna looked over at Paul.

Paul shrugged. “Not really. Lots of fathers don't want their little girls to grow up. Remember how Dad pitched a fit when you bought your first bikini?”

“Yeah, but Dad was just old-fashioned. Mr. Hudson sounds like he had some kind of a hang-up. Listen to this.”

“ ‘He hated it when I started dating. He kept saying that I was too young. Mom had to practically get down on her knees and beg so he'd let me go to that first school dance with you. And I had to be home at ten-thirty. He waited right there at the door for me, remember?' ”

Paul nodded. “It's true. We had to leave before the dance was over so I could take her home. And Mr. Hudson was right there, checking his watch when I drove up. He was really strict.”

“ ‘I'm sorry I dumped you, Paul. But really, it was for your own good. I know you loved me. I loved you, too. But your family's here, and you love Crest Ridge. You would have been miserable if I'd asked you to marry me and leave here forever. I didn't want to force you to make that choice. Maybe I was afraid you wouldn't choose me.' ”

Donna turned to Paul. “What if she'd asked you? Do you think you would have run away with her?”

“I don't know.” Paul sighed deeply. “I loved her, but . . . I just don't know.”

“ ‘Ross is my ticket out of here forever. And the funny thing is, Dad is the one who gave me the idea. He heard me tell Mom that I thought Ross was cute, and he hit the roof. He told me to stay away, that Ross wasn't right for me and I shouldn't even consider going out with him. He was so serious about it, I started to get interested. You know how contrary I can be. And the more I learned about Ross, the more I realized that he was perfect.' ”

“Oh, boy!” Donna sighed. “I never realized she hated Crest Ridge that much.”

“I did. She could hardly wait to graduate and move out. We argued about it a lot. She wanted to leave for good, and I wanted to come back here after I finished college.”

“ ‘I totally freaked when you gave me those skis. I'd already decided to pick up on Ross, and I knew I didn't deserve a wonderful present like that. That's why I never took them out of the box. I wanted to give them back, but you would have asked all sort of questions. And I didn't want anyone to know what I was planning. Take them back, Paul. Maybe you can get a refund. And find someone else to love. I was never right for you. You deserve someone better, and I hope you find her.' ”

“I think she really loved you.” Donna looked up at Paul in surprise.

“Maybe she did.” Paul looked grim. “Read the rest. I have to know about the stalker.”

“ ‘I didn't know the truth about the stalker until tonight. I was just getting ready to leave when Dad caught me. I'd told him I was going to a group meeting in Denver and staying overnight with one of the group. I never dreamed he'd call the shrink and find out we didn't have a meeting scheduled for tonight.' ”

“Oh-oh!” Donna winced. “He checked up on her.”

Paul nodded. “He always did. A couple of times, when I took her to the movies, he called the theater to see if we were there. Go ahead, Donna. Keep reading.”

“ ‘Dad was really mad that I'd lied to him. And he demanded to know where I was going. So I told him. I guess I just wanted to see the expression on his face when he found out that I was marrying Ross. I told him I was pregnant, too, so he wouldn't try to stop me.' ”

Paul winced. “Go on, Donna.”

“ ‘He really tried to talk me out of it. He even made up this incredible story about Ross being my brother, and how the baby would turn out deformed! I guess that shows you how desperate he was.' ”

Donna blinked and looked down at the letter again. “I remember something I heard when I was just a little kid. Mom said she felt sorry for Mrs. Hudson because her husband was having an affair.”

“I heard some rumors, too. And they were about Ross's mother. Go on, Donna.”

“‘Then Dad said something that totally freaked me. He called me a wicked girl and said he'd have to punish me! That was when I realized that he was the stalker. Those were the exact words the stalker used when he called me at the switchboard! ' ”

“Oh, my God!” Donna gasped. “Do you think it's true?”

“I don't know. Does she say any more?”

Donna nodded, and began to read again.
“ ‘I ran for the kitchen as fast as I could. Mrs. Robinson was cooking, and I sat down at the table and wrote this note to you. I just got up to look out the window, and he's gone. I'm going to run for it now. I'll drop this off in our usual place, pick up some stuff I need at the drugstore, and then I'll leave Crest Ridge for good. Good-bye, Paul. I'll always love you.' ”

Paul's face was as white as a sheet as he jumped off the bed. “Call Julie! Right away!”

“But . . . why?”

“Because Julie told me she was getting the same kinds of calls! And I didn't believe her! Hurry up, Donna!”

Donna leaped up from the bed and ran for the phone. Paul was right behind her. Her fingers were shaking as she dialed the lodge.

“What is it?” Paul reacted to the alarmed expression on his sister's face.

“The line's out. It's not ringing or anything. And she said she'd call me this afternoon.”

The red light was flashing on the answering machine, and Paul pressed the button to play the message. It was Julie's voice, telling them about the convention, and asking them to help with guests who were arriving tonight.

Donna frowned. “But there's no convention in Denver. I read the paper this morning, and it didn't say anything about any convention.”

Their faces were tense as they waited for the second message. It was Julie again, asking them to meet her at the lodge as soon as possible. She was there alone, and Aunt Caroline and Ross had already left for the airport.

“You get Sheriff Nelson!” Paul fairly shoved Donna out the door.

“But where are you going?”

“To the lodge. If Mr. Hudson faked the whole thing to get Julie alone, she could be in terrible danger!”