Obsessed (25 page)

Judy watched for a moment, and then she shrugged. Carla and Andy looked as if they were having fun. Perhaps it was a good match, after all. They were both born losers, and no one else would even think of dating them.

Alberto Cordoza, one of the waiters at Covers, came out of the house carrying a platter of snacks. Judy had gone out with Berto while Michael was dating his sister, Nita. Berto hadn’t approved of Nita’s romance with Michael, and neither had Judy. She’d wanted Michael for herself. But then Nita had be come the fifth victim of the “Cupid Killer,” the name the police had given to the serial killer who’d left arrows at the scene of the murders, thrust into the dead victims’ chests.

Since all the murdered girls had dated Michael, he was the prime suspect. But the police couldn’t arrest him now, not while he was at Brookhaven Sanitarium for psychiatric evaluation.

Judy’s eyes were drawn to the red and white banner that was strung over the patio. It said “WELCOME HOME” in big block letters. Could this mean that Michael had been released? No, that was impossible. Surely someone would have told her. The banner must be for someone else. But who?

Just then, Judy spotted Vera Rozhinski, the bar tender at Covers, mixing her special non-alcoholic fruit drinks behind the patio bar. Vera’s parents had sent her off to visit her grandmother in New Mexico, right after the Cupid Killer had struck for the fourth time. Of course Vera hadn’t been in any danger. She’d never dated Michael, and she hadn’t been serious about the contest the other girls had started.

Judy frowned as she thought about the contest and how much grief it had caused. Michael had just bro ken up with Liz Applegate, his girlfriend at U.C.L.A., and the contest had started as an effort to cheer him up. All the Covers’ girls, with the exception of Judy and Carla, had decided to make a play for Michael. The object had been to date him for two solid weeks, and Deana Burroughs, a singer at Covers, had almost won. But the Cupid Killer had murdered her the night before she could be declared the winner.

That should have been enough to warn the other girls away, but no one had believed that Deana had been murdered just because she’d been dating Mi chael. Judy had tried to convince them that the con test was dangerous, but no one had listened. They’d all assumed it was a random killing, until it had hap pened again.

Becky Fischer, the club comedienne, had picked right up where Deana had left off. She’d dated Mi chael for over a week before she’d been killed. Mary Beth Roberts, their featured dancer, had been the third victim. And that was when everyone at Covers had started to panic.

Judy had told everyone her theory, that the arrows the killer left behind were a warning about the dan gers of love. But no one had paid any attention to her. Despite Judy’s warning, Ingrid Sunquist, a wait ress at Covers, had dated Michael next, and she had been the next victim. Finally, Berto’s sister, Nita, had fallen prey to the Cupid Killer.

Over a month had passed since the last murder. The police still suspected Michael. It was true that there had been no more killings while he’d been be hind locked bars, but that didn’t prove that he was the killer.

Judy had gone out to Brookhaven every week, even though Michael’s doctor wouldn’t let her in to visit. It was a terrible misunderstanding, and she needed to talk to Michael to straighten it out. She’d signed the complaint that had sent him
to Brook haven, but she’d only done it to save him. The police had been ready to arrest him, and Judy had known that he wasn’t the Cupid Killer.

She’d thought the whole thing out very carefully. Michael had no alibis for the times of the murders, and he might have been convicted if he’d gone to trial. Since California had the death penalty, Michael might have even been executed. Judy had saved his life by signing that complaint, and once she’d ex plained it, she was sure that Michael would agree. Sitting behind locked doors at Brookhaven was a lot better than pacing the floor on Death Row!

Judy drew in her breath sharply, as she caught sight of Michael’s parents. Mrs. Warden was much thinner, and her hair was almost completely gray. Mr. Warden hadn’t changed all that much, but Judy knew he was probably suffering just as much as his wife.
It must be terrible to have a son accused of murder, a son who was locked up in a mental institution.

As Judy watched, Vera smiled at Michael’s mother and handed her a drink. And Mrs. Warden put her arm around Vera’s shoulder. So this was a welcome home party for Vera. But why were Michael’s parents hosting the party?

Judy reached out and pushed the rest of the branches aside. Now she had a full view of the patio. Someone was sitting on a stool by the doorway, and she gave a little cry of surprise as he turned her way. It was Michael! Michael was out, and no one had told her! She had a right to be at his welcome home party. After all, she had saved his life.

It was agony to watch all her friends having fun, and to know that Michael was with them. Judy knelt on the damp ground for what seemed like hours, feel ing terribly sorry for herself.

At last, the party began to break up, and Judy watched as the guests left, one by one. Now it was just the Warden family, and Judy leaned closer so she could listen. Michael’s parents didn’t say anything important, just how glad they were to have Michael home. Judy was almost ready to go back to her house, when she heard something that made her heart race in her chest. Michael’s parents were talking about a dinner invitation. If they left Michael alone, she’d have a chance to talk to him!

“Are you sure you don’t want to join us for din ner?” Mrs. Warden reached out to take Michael’s hand. “The Jacobsons invited you, too.”

“No, thanks. And don’t worry about me. I’m going to take a drive up Laurel Canyon and spend some time at the lookout. I promised Dr. Tunney I’d start working on my music again, and I’d like to have one song finished before I go back.”

“Well . . . all right.” Michael’s mother looked dis appointed, but she smiled anyway. “Whatever you think is best, dear.”

Michael glanced at his watch. “Hey . . . it’s almost six-thirty. Don’t you have to be there at seven?”

“You’re right.” Michael’s father stood up. “We’ll see you when we get back, son. And if you need us, just call.”

“Are you going to stop at Covers for the show?” Michael’s mother looked concerned.

“No, Mom. Dr. Tunney doesn’t think I’m quite ready for that. He doesn’t want me to run into . . . well, you know who. I talked to Mr. Calloway, and I told him I want to perform again. But he understands why I can’t do that right now.”

Judy’s hands were trembling as she released her hold on the branches. Now she knew why she hadn’t been invited to the party. It was the same reason Mi chael wouldn’t be going to Covers to see the show. Michael didn’t want to run into her!

It was terribly unfair, and there were tears in Judy’s eyes as she walked back to the house and changed into clean jeans. She could see the driveway from her window, and she watched as Michael’s parents got into their car and drove off. There was only one thing to do. It would take courage, but she’d never been afraid of a challenge. Now that Michael was alone, she’d march right over there and confront him di rectly.

Judy squared her shoulders and hurried down the stairs. She walked resolutely across the lawn again, and stepped through the gap in the hedge.

“Hi, Michael.” Judy put on her best smile, but Michael didn’t look very happy to see her.

“Judy.” There was a frown on Michael’s handsome face. “What are you doing here?”

Judy’s smile wavered, but she managed to keep it in place. “I came to say welcome home. And I un derstand why you didn’t invite me to your party. You don’t realize that I saved your life.”

“You what!?”

There was a shocked expression on Michael’s face, but Judy ignored it as she rushed over to hug him. “I’ll explain it all in a minute. But first I want to know about you. How long will you be home?”

“I’m on a weekend pass.” Michael stepped back, out of her embrace. “And I was about to leave. I have to . . . uh . . . be somewhere in less than an hour.”

Judy knew that was a lie, but she didn’t let on that she’d eavesdropped on Michael’s conversation with his parents. She just smiled and moved toward Mi chael again. “That’s okay. This won’t take long, and I have to leave soon, too. The show starts at eight, and I have to set up for the new singer.”

Michael looked very uncomfortable, and he took another step back. “Sorry, Judy. I really don’t have time to talk.”

“I just wanted to explain why I signed that com plaint to get you locked up at Brookhaven. You see, I knew the police were going to arrest you for the murders, and it was the only way I could keep them from doing it. You’re safe at Brookhaven, Michael. They can’t put you on trial if the doctors say you’re crazy. Now you can understand why I had to do it, can’t you?”

“Judy . . . I . . . I really have to leave now.”

Michael took a step toward the house. Judy man aged to cut him off by grabbing his arm, but it was clear he didn’t want to be close to her. “Come on, Michael. I only did what was best for you, and you ought to be grateful. And I’m so glad to see you again! How about a kiss for old times’ sake?”

Michael gave a bitter laugh. “What ‘old times’ are you talk
ing about? The last time I saw you, you told Detective Davis that I tried to kill you!”

“Please, Michael. I already explained why I had to do that.” Judy got a good grip on his arm and pulled him closer. “Let’s be friends again. It used to be so nice.”

“You’re deluding yourself, Judy. It was never nice. The past few weeks have been a nightmare!”

“I know.” Judy slipped her other arm around Mi chael’s shoulders, and hugged him tightly. “I’m re ally sorry about that, but everything’s okay now. Don’t you see, Michael? If you have to go to trial, you can get off by claiming temporary insanity.”

“I’m not the one who’s insane. You are. You killed them all. Not me!”

Judy shuddered at the cold expression in Michael’s eyes, but she took a deep breath and went on. “I’ll wait for you, Michael. I promise. And then we can pick up the pieces and start over. I know we can!”

Michael tried to break away, but Judy just hugged him tighter. She rubbed her breasts up against his chest, and snuggled her body against his. “I don’t care what people say, Michael. I’ll always love you. Forever and ever. Don’t you believe me?”

“Oh, I believe you!” Michael stared down at her, his eyes as cold as glaciers. “Listen to me, Judy. I don’t want your love. I never did, and I never will. All I want is for you to leave me completely alone!”

“You don’t really mean that.” Judy wrapped her arms around Michael’s neck and forced his lips down to hers. A kiss would do it. There was no way Michael could resist her kisses. But Michael’s lips were like granite, cold and firm with no hint of passion. Even though Judy tried to make him respond, kissing Mi chael was like kissing a stone statue.

And then Michael thrust her back so hard, she al most fell. Judy stumbled and looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “I . . . I don’t understand! You used to like to kiss me! We were such good friends!”

Michael turned on his heel, and walked toward his house. He opened the door, and then he turned back to look at her. “Forget it, Judy. Crawl back in the same hole you crawled out of, and don’t bother me again. I’ll never forgive you for what you did to me!”

Judy gave a deep sigh of resignation as he strode into the house and slammed the patio door behind him. It wouldn’t do any good to pound on the door. Michael wouldn’t let her in. He was still so angry about being locked up in Brookhaven, he wasn’t thinking straight.

There was nothing to do but go home. Judy stepped back through the gap in the hedge, and hur ried into her house. When she got to the privacy of her bedroom, she sat down on the bed and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was prettier than any of Michael’s dead girlfriends. With her light blond hair, deep green eyes, and perfect figure, she could attract any other boy she wanted. But Judy wanted Michael. He was the only one who could make her truly happy. And Michael had rejected her. Again.

Tears rolled down Judy’s cheeks, and she didn’t even bother to blink them back. She couldn’t really blame Michael for being upset. He was still a suspect in the murders, and he’d never forgive her for that.

Judy’s mind spun in crazy circles. There just had to be some way to get Michael to forgive her. Life wasn’t worth living without his love. She had to prove to Michael that she loved him more than life itself.

The moment Judy thought of it, she raced to the desk for a pen and some paper. There was only one way to make Michael forgive her. It was drastic, but she would do it. Michael had loved her before. Judy was sure of it. And after tonight, he’d love her again, throughout eternity.

One

Carla Fields surveyed the audience with a smile. Every table was taken and there was a party of six, standing in the back near the entrance, waiting for stools at the non-alcoholic fruit juice bar. The flyer Carla had posted on the bulletin boards of six area high schools had done the trick. Covers was doing booming business.

“Carla?” Mr. Calloway rushed up to grab Carla’s arm. “Has Judy Lampert called in?”

Carla’s smile faded abruptly at the mention of Judy’s name. “No, Mr. Calloway. Isn’t she here?”

“Not yet. And no one’s seen her. Call her house right away. If she’s still there, tell her to get over here on the double!”