Phone calls

“R ory, no! Please!” Grace sat tensely on the edge of the bed, clutching the phone with both hands. “Please go away. You got what you came for, didn’t you?”

She heard Rory’s laugh—and flinched as if he’d hit her. So much bitterness in his voice! So much hatred!

What had she done to make him hate her so much?

Rory continued talking, but the words didn’t matter. All Grace heard was the savage fury behind them. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands were so slick with sweat she almost dropped the phone.

“Stop it!” she gasped, breaking into the stream of hatred pouring into her ear. “Rory, please, please go away! Get out of Shadyside and leave me alone!” She gently fingered her black eye. “Haven’t you hurt me enough? Aren’t you satisfied yet?”

Rory didn’t bother to answer. He just started in where he’d left off. It’s as if he didn’t even hear me! Grace thought. He doesn’t care how I feel.

All Rory cares about is revenge!

“You’re crazy!” she cried, interrupting him again. “Do you hear me? You’re totally—”

Grace broke off suddenly and looked up.

Reva stood in the doorway, staring at her with a mixture of curiosity and distaste. “Is that Rory?” Reva whispered.

Grace shook her head. If Reva knew it was Rory, she would insist on calling the police. And I can’t! Grace thought. I’m afraid of what might happen!

Grace spoke quickly into the phone. “Sorry, I have to go now. Bye.” She hung up and forced a smile. “Hi, Reva.”

“That wasn’t Rory?” Reva asked.

“No, it was my mother,” Grace lied. “She called while I was on the other line.”

Reva raised an eyebrow skeptically.

Grace stood up and walked to the dresser. “I made the big mistake of telling her about Traci. She got all upset and thought I should come home.” She peered into the mirror and flicked her fingers through her hair. “You know what mothers are like,” she added with a sigh.

“Not really.” Reva lowered her eyes.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Grace cried. “Your mother is dead—I almost forgot. It was stupid of me to say that.” She peered at Reva in the mirror. “Anyway, I’m glad your father didn’t cancel the scarf show.”

Reva gave her a satisfied smile. “Not as glad as I am. I’m sorry Traci is dead, but that show is really important to me. It would have been dumb to cancel it when I can get another model just like that” She snapped her fingers. “Besides, the show must go on—right?”

“Definitely.” Grace picked up a bottle of foundation makeup and shook it. “Listen, want to go out and do something together tonight? I think this stuff will cover the bruise around my eye so I won’t look like a raccoon.”

“No. I have a date tonight.” Reva checked her watch. “That’s what I came to tell you. I have to leave in a few minutes. Daddy’s going to drop me off on his way to his dinner meeting.”

“That’s okay.” Grace set the makeup down. Her hand still trembled from Rory’s phone call. “Actually, I’m still feeling kind of beat. I think I’ll stay here and just take it easy.”

“Whatever.” Reva smoothed her hair and strode to the door. “Catch you later.”

“Sure. Have fun.”

“Oh, I will,” Reva assured her with a grin. “I definitely will.”

As Reva closed the door, Grace collapsed onto the bed again. Reva didn’t believe that call was from my mother, Grace thought. But at least she didn’t keep questioning me about Rory.

Grace eyed the bedside phone warily. It stayed silent.

But Rory will call back. I know he will. It’s only a matter of time.

Rory isn’t finished with me yet.

• • •

Reva sat in the booth at Pete’s and tapped her foot impatiently.

Grant was five minutes late.

Where is he? she wondered, annoyed. Doesn’t he know I need him? He has to know about Traci. Liza must have told him I found her body. He should have been here waiting for me, worried about me!

Reva took a sip of her soda, then glanced around the pizza place. Still no sign of Grant.

If he doesn’t show up in three more minutes, I’m out of here. I’ll go home and... and what? Hang out with Grace?

What fun, she thought sarcastically. We can sit around and watch her bruise turn yellow.

Too bad Grace’s mother hadn’t insisted that she come home. Actually, Reva was surprised Grace hadn’t jumped at the excuse to get out of Shadyside. With Rory stalking her and Traci murdered, wouldn’t she feel safer at home?

But no! Never mind that she walked around shaking like a leaf and jumping at shadows, Grace wanted to stay.

And I’m stuck with her, Reva thought gloomily.

“Hey, why the long face?” Grant asked, sliding into the booth next to Reva. “Sorry, that was a stupid question,” he added, slipping an arm around her shoulder. “You must still be freaked about Traci.”

“Of course I am.” Reva gave him a cool look. “Plus, you’re late, Grant.”

“I know, I’m sorry.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “Hey, don’t be angry.”

Reva kissed him back, breathing deeply. His skin was cold and smelled of the outdoors. “I’m not too angry, I guess,” she murmured. “But I thought you’d understand how upset I am. About Traci, I mean. And I thought you’d be here waiting for me. I was counting on it.”

“I wanted to be here sooner, but...” Grant pulled away and shrugged out of his jacket.

“But what?”

“Something came up.” He smoothed his dark hair and smiled nervously. “So. Did you order yet?”

Reva shook her head. “What came up?” she asked.

Grant’s smile faded and he sighed. “Liza.”

“Liza?” Reva sat up straight and gazed at him icily. “You were with Liza? Is that why you were late?”

“No, nothing like that,” he replied. “She called me earlier to tell me about Traci. But I haven’t seen her today.”

“I don’t get it,” Reva told him. “You weren’t with Liza, but she’s the reason you’re late?”

“Yeah. I just can’t help feeling guilty about sneaking around behind her back,” Grant admitted. “When she called, she asked if we could get together tonight. I made up some excuse, and she bought it. Didn’t even suspect I was lying.”

“So? What are you worried about?”

“I’m worried she’ll find out.” Grant sighed again. “I’m worried about lying. I’m just... I don’t know—feeling guilty.”

Oh, this is fun, Reva thought. A guy who’s going to cry on my shoulder because he feels guilty about cheating on his girlfriend. This is almost as much fun as staying home with Grace!

Still, Grant is awfully cute. And I really do need him now, with everything I’m going through.

I deserve Grant.

And I know how to get him.

Smiling sweetly, Reva put her hand on Grant’s arm. “Listen, if you feel that way about Liza, maybe we should just forget the whole thing,” she told him.

“No!” He took her hand and squeezed it. “I don’t want that, Reva. I really don’t.”

Reva smiled. “Good. I need you much more than Liza does. So forget about her, okay?” She leaned close and kissed him.

Grant kissed her back, softly at first. Then harder. “I’ll try,” he whispered.

“Don’t try,” Reva whispered back in a throaty voice. “Do it!”

• • •

As Grant drove Reva home a little while later, Reva leaned her head back and gazed out the car window.

Shadyside looked like a Christmas-card town. Snow on the ground. Wreaths on the telephone poles. Snowmen in the yards and colored lights strung on every tree and bush.

I wish I could get into the spirit, Reva thought. Maybe when the scarf show is a hit, I’ll feel more in the mood.

At home on the porch, she gave Grant a long kiss. “I can’t wait to see you again,” she murmured, her lips against his cheek. “Let’s meet again tomorrow, after I’m finished working.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Of course.” Reva glanced at him. “Why? You don’t have other plans, do you?”

Grant hesitated for just a second, then shook his head. “I’m all yours, Reva.”

“Good. That’s the way I like it.” She kissed him again, then slipped into the house. It was only eight-thirty. Not wanting to spend any time with Grace, she ran quietly up the stairs and tiptoed past Grace’s room to her own.

As she opened her door, the phone rang.

Grant? she wondered hopefully.

No, he just left. And his car didn’t have a phone.

It’s probably Pam, she decided. Pam the Pest. Honestly, doesn’t she realize that I have more important things to think about than a business contract with her? Doesn’t she know that without me, the only way she and Willow can sell those scarves is to peddle them on the street?

For a second, Reva was tempted not to answer the phone. But she changed her mind. Before the phone could ring a third time, Reva hurried across the room and snatched it up. “Yes?” she answered impatiently.

“Reva.”

The voice was low and raspy. It didn’t belong to Pam. It didn’t belong to anyone Reva knew. “Yes?” she repeated. “Who is this?”

“That doesn’t matter,” the caller rasped.

“What are you—”

“Shut up, Reva! Just listen to what I say. Are you listening?”

Reva gripped the phone and nodded.

“Are you?” the voice demanded angrily.

“Yes! I’m listening!” Reva replied.

“You deserve what Traci got.”

Traci! A chill of fear ran down Reva’s spine.

“Did you hear me, Reva?” the caller rasped. “I’ll tell you again just in case you missed it. You deserve what Traci got!”

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20