The Dead Girl's Dance

There was no sign of Shanes dad or the bikers. In fact, it was very quiet in Morganville, despite Claires fears. Travis Lowe and Joe Hess dropped by early the next morning to deliver the no-news-is-good-news party line to Eve and the house in general; they were polite and kind, and generally seemed like okay guys for cops, but they made Claire feel scared and paranoid. She supposed all cops were like that, when they were on Official Business. It didnt seem to bother Eve at all; she was up, bleary-eyed and yawning, fresh out of the shower and still wrapped in a Hello Kitty bathrobe, free of the Goth mask. Shane was, predictably, asleep, and who knew where Michael was? Watching, Claire thought. Always watching. She supposed that should have been creepy, except that in Michaels case, it was justcomforting.



Hey, guys, Eve said after wandering down the stairs into the living room. She plopped on the couch, bounced, and yawned again. Coffee. Need coffee.



I made some, Claire said, and went into the kitchen to get it. Travis Lowe followed her silently and carried the cups back out. He and his partner drank it black; Claire could barely stand it even with more milk and sugar than actual coffee. Eve was cream only, no sugar, and she sucked it down like Gatorade after a hard work-out, then collapsed against the couch cushions and sighed happily.



Morning, Officers, she said, and closed her eyes. Its too early for this.



Heard you got a job on campus, Hess said. Congratulations, Eve.



Yea, me. She made a lazy woo-hoo gesture. You come all this way to say that?



Not a long way in Morganville. Hess shrugged. But no. Like I told Claire, theres no sign of your intruders. So I think youre in the clear on that. Hope that makes your day better.



Eve shot Claire a fast, tentative look. Sure, she said. Umaboutthe other thing?



You want to talk in private? Claire asked, and stood up with her coffee cup in hand. Cause I can go on to school



Sit, Hess said. Youre not going anywhere yet. And youre not going anywhere by yourself.



Imwhat?



Were giving you girls a ride to school, Lowe said, and sipped his coffee. And a ride home when youre done. Consider us your Thin Blue Line Taxi Service.



No! Claire blurted, appalled. I mean, you cantyou shouldntwhy?



Eve knows why, Hess said. Dont you, Eve?



Eve put her coffee cup on the side table and crossed her arms against her chest. She looked very young in pink and white, and very scared. Jason.



Yeah, Jason. Hess cleared his throat, glanced at Claire, and continued. We found Karla Gast late last night. Well, actually, some of our more night-inclined colleagues found her. Dumped in a vacant lot about six blocks from here behind some piled-up lumber.



In a flash, Claire remembered walking past the empty lot on her way to her unintended visit with Amelie. Shed even smelled decay. She put her coffee cup down and put both hands over her mouth, fighting an impulse to gag.



You think Eve looked tense and pale. She licked her lips, swallowed, and continued. You think Jason was involved.



Yeah, Hess said softly. We think. No proof, though. No witnesses, no forensic evidence, but she was definitely not killed by a vampire. Look, Jasons been spotted in the area, so I dont want you out there by yourself for now, okay? Either one of you.



Hes my brother! Eve sounded angry now, voice shaking. How could he do this? What kind of Its not your fault, Lowe said. You tried to get him help. He just got sicker.



It is my fault! she shouted. Im the one who turned him in! Im the one who didnt stop Brandon from



From what? Lowe asked, very quietly.



Eve didnt answer. She looked down at her black-painted fingernails, and picked at them restlessly.



From moving on to an easier target, she said. Once I made sure he couldnt get to me.



Christ, Lowe muttered in weary disgust. Someday, that goddamn vamps going to get his



Trav, Hess said. It aint laundry day. Lets not air it in public.



Yeah, I know, but Jesus Christ, Joe, it aint like this is the first time.



It took Claire a few seconds to work out what they were all talking about, but then she remembered Eves poetry that shed looked through on the computerall romantic Arent vampires great? stuff until she was about fifteen, and thenno more romance. Brandon. Brandon tried to mess with her when she was fifteen.



And Jason was her younger brother.



What did he do to him? Claire asked in a very small voice. Brandon, I mean. Did hebite him?



Eve didnt look up, but her cheeks went pink to match her robe. Sometimes, she said. And sometimes it was worse than that. Were just toys to him, you know. Dolls. Were not real. People arent real at all.



Im afraid the same goes for Jason now, Hess said. Cant really blame the kid. He didnt have much of a chance. But I repeat, Eve, you cant blame yourself, either. You saved yourself, and thats important.



Yeah, I saved myself by screwing over my brother. What a hero.



You be careful with all that guilt, Lowe said. Itll pound you down. Your parents were the ones who should have stepped in, and you know it. Anybody willing to let their kids become toys, just to get ahead



Claire reached out and took hold of Eves hand. Eve, surprised, looked upshe wasnt crying, which was kind of surprising because Eve cried a lot. Her eyes were dry, clear, and hard. Angry.



Why do you think I left? she asked. As soon as I could. Between my parents and what Brandon made out of Jason



Claire couldnt think of anything to say. She just sat there, holding Eves hand. Shed never been through any of that. Shed grown up warm and safe in a house where her parents loved her. In a town where there were no such things as vampires, where child abuse and molestation were something that happened on the evening news, and if anybody had brothers who killed people, it happened in big cities, to people she didnt know.



All this was justtoo much to take in. And much too painful.



Its going to be okay, she finally said. Eve smiled at her sadly, but her eyes were still fierce.



No, she said. Dont think so, Claire. But thanks.



She took a deep breath, let go of Claires hand, and turned back to the two cops. Right. You guys hang out here while I get dressed.



Oh, sure, Hess said, and raised an eyebrow. It made his face look crooked, but maybe that was just the way his nose was; Claire wasnt sure. Not like were protecting or serving or anything.



Youre not even on duty, Eve said.



Busted, Lowe said, smiling. Were on our own for this. Hurry up, kidId like to get to sleep sometime today before I have to fight for truth and justice again.



Eve padded up the stairs, one hand on the railing, and Claire let out a slow, careful breath. Eve was kind of like an unexploded bomb right now. Claire ached to make it all better, but there was no way she could do thatand no way that Eve would even let her try, she thought.



She wished Shane would wake up. She neededwell, something. A hug, maybe. Or one of those deliciously warm kisses. Or just to look at him, all rumpled and grumpy with his hair sticking up at odd angles, sheet creases on his face, his bare feet looking so cute and soft



She had never thought of a guys feet as sexy before. Not even movie-star feet. But Shanethere was no part of him that wasnt sizzle hot.



More coffee? Hess asked, and waggled his empty mug. Claire sighed and took his and Lowes into the kitchen for refills.



She had just set the two ceramic cups down on the counter, and was reaching for the coffeepot, when a big, thick, sweaty hand closed over her mouth, and irresistibly strong arms yanked her backward. She tried to scream, and kicked, but whoever had her, really had her. She squirmed, but it didnt do any good.



Quiet, a rough male voice whispered in her ear. Shut up, or this gets ugly.



It was already ugly, at least from Claires terrified side of things. She went still, and the man holding her lowered her down enough to let her sneakered toes touch the floor. Didnt let her go, though.



Shed already figured out who it wasthe speaker, not the one holding herbefore Shanes dad stepped out into her view and leaned forward, scary-close. Wheres my son? he asked. His breath was nasty, and stank of booze. Breakfast of Collins champions. Just nod. Is he in the house? She nodded slowly. The hand muffling her mouth let her do it. Upstairs? She nodded again. Those cops in the living room? She nodded vigorously, and tried to think what she could do to get Detective Hesss attention. Screaming wasnt doing any good; the kitchen door was pretty solid, and it was useless to try to get sound past a hand that was about two inches thick. If theyd grabbed her when she was holding the mugs, at least she could have dropped them.



My kid likes you, Shanes dad said. Thats all that keeps you alive right now, you get me? So dont push your luck. I could always change my mind, and you could get buried out back with your little friend Michael. Now, my buddy here is going to let go of your mouth, and youd better not scream, because if you do, were just going to have to do some killing, starting with you and ending with the cops. And that vampire-wannabe girlfriend of yours. You get me? My son is all that matters to me.



Claire swallowed hard and nodded again. The hand pulled slowly away from her mouth.



She didnt scream. She pressed her lips together to hold in the urge.



Good girl, Shanes dad said. Now tell me what the cops are doing here. They looking for us?



She shook her head. They think youre gone, she said. Theyre here to take me and Eve to school.



School. He poured contempt into the word. Thats not a school. Its a holding pen for cattle.



She licked her lips and tasted the sweat of the guy who was holding her. Disgusting. You need to go. Right now.



Or?



You cant do what youre here to do if everybodys still looking for you, she said. She was making it up, but suddenly it made sense to her. If you have to kill me, and everybody here, they turn the town upside down until they find you. And theyll put Shane in jail, or worse. If you let me go and take Shane, Ill just tell them everything anyway, and they turn the town upside down



Are you trying to scare me, little girl?



No, Claire whispered. She could barely get the word out. Im trying to tell you what will happen. Theyve kind of given up looking for you, but if you kill me, you lose. And if you let me go, Im going to tell them everything.



Then why shouldnt I kill you?



Because Ill keep my mouth shut if you promise to leave Shane alone.



He glared at her, but she could see he was thinking about it.



Boss, said the man holding her. He had a deep voice, rough like his throat was lined with gravel. Bitch got no reason to keep her word.



What makes you think I like the vamps any more than you do? she shot back. Did Shane tell you about Brandon? I saw you in Common Groundswere you looking for him? Because if you werent, you should be. Hes a dick.



Frank Collinss eyes drifted half-shut, and she was reminded sickly of Shane, somehow. You telling me which vamps to kill now?



No. She swallowed again, acutely aware that at any second the kitchen door could swing open, and someone could come stumbling in, and everything could go to hell on the express train. Just a suggestion. Because as far as I can tell, hes just about the worst one. But youre going to do what you want, I know that. I just want me and my friends out of it.



Shanes dad smiled at her. Smiled. And it seemed, for the first time, like a mostly genuine expression, not just a freaky twist of his lips. Youre tougher than you look, kid. Thats good. Youre going to need to be, you stick around here. He looked past her, at the biker (or so she thoughtshe could feel leather squeaking behind her when she struggled). Let her down, man. Shes okay.



The biker released her. She jerked forward, spun, and set her back to the refrigerator. She scrambled for a knife in the drawer next to her, found a wicked-looking cleaver, and held it out in front of her. You need to go, she said. Right now. And dont come back here, or I swear, Ill tell them everything.



He wasnt smiling anymore. Well, not as much. The biker behind him, though, was grinning.



Girl, you dont know my son at all, do you? he asked. I dont have to come back here. Hes going to come to me. Eventually.



He made a Lets go gesture to his six-foot bodyguard, and together they went back out the side door of the kitchen. Claire ran to pull it shut and lock it, both locks plus the newly installed sliding bolts.



Which made her wonder why it hadnt been locked beforeoh. Of course. The cops had come in through the kitchen.



She took some deep breaths, rinsed the taste of that sweaty hand off her lips, and picked up the coffee cups.



Her hands were shaking so badly, there was no way she could carry anything liquid. She put them back down and went back to the door to call through, Making some fresh!



She poured out the rest of the pot, loaded it again, and, by the time the machine finished, had mostly gotten herself under control.



Mostly.



Claire had a break between classesit couldnt really be called a lunch break, because it fell at ten a. M. and she walked over to the UniversityCenter for coffee. The UC was large and kind of seedy; the carpet was ancient, and the furniture had seen the eighties, at least, and maybe the seventies. It was one large, open atrium filled with couches, chairs, and eventucked in one cornera grand piano. Student-activity banners, most badly painted, draped overhead and fluttered in the weak air-conditioning.



Most of the couch groupings were already claimed by students talking or separately studying. Claire had her eye on an open study table near the corner, but shed have to hurry; there were plenty of people looking for places to settle.



She hurried to the coffee bar at the back of the atrium, and smiled and waved as she spotted Eve behind the espresso machine. Eve waved back, pulled two shots at the same time, and dumped them into steamed milk. The line was about five deep, and Claire had plenty of time to think about what Shanes dad had said. And what he hadnt.



What was he doing there today? Really? Maybe hed come to fetch Shane, but she wasnt sure. Shanes dad seemed to have a plan, but she had no idea what it was. Maybe Shane would know, but she didnt want to ask.



Michael. Shed tell Michael everything, as soon as he appeared.



Large mocha, Claire said, and dug out the required three-fifty from her jeans pocket. It was a huge expense for her, but she figured it was only right to celebrate Eves first day on the job.



The cashiera bored-looking guy who was probably wishing he were anywhere elsetook her cash and waved her on to the line for drinks.



She was standing there, thumbing through her English-lit book, when she heard muffled laughter, and then a wet dull thud as a drink tipped over on the counter. She looked up to see a ring of guys standing around a spilled drink, which was dripping off both sides of the counter.



Hey, zombie chick, one of them said to Eve, who was standing next to the counter, still pulling shots and very obviously ignoring them. Wanna clean that up?



A muscle fluttered in Eves jaw, but she silently got a handful of paper towels and began to mop up the mess. Once the counter was clean, she raised the hinged section of the bar and cleaned the floor on both sides.



The boys continued to snigger. You missed a spot, said the one whod spilled the drink. Over there.



Eve had to bend over to get to the spot where he was pointing. He quickly stepped up behind her and began banging his crotch against her butt. Oh, baby! he said, and they all laughed. Laughed. Youre so fucking hot for a dead girl.



Eve calmly straightened up, turned around, and stared at him. Not a word. One thing Claire could say for Goth makeup, at least it covered up blushes. She was blushing, furiously, on Eves behalf. And shaking.



Excuse me, Eve finally said, and moved him aside with one hand flat against his chest. She got behind the bar again and slammed down the hatch, took the two espresso shots and dumped them into a fresh cup, stirred, put a lid on it, and put it on the bar. Here. On the house.



The creep reached out, grabbed the cup, and squeezed. The top popped off. Coffee went everywhere, splattering Eve, the counter, the floor, the guy holding it. His buddies burst into open laughter when he said, Oops. Guess I dont know my own strength.



Eve looked at the guy at the register, but he just shrugged. She took a deep breath, smilednot, Claire saw, her normal smile at alland said, You ought to see a doctor about that, Bullwinkle.



Plus the crotch rash. Next! I have a mocha for Claire! Eve thumped down another cup and vigorously scrubbed the counter.



Claire hurried up. Oh my God! she whispered. What do you want me to do? Get somebody?



Who? Eve rolled her eyes. Its my first dayits a little early to run tattling like a girlie girl. Leave it alone, Claire. Just take your coffee and go on. Ill be fine. Ive got a PhD in taking shit from jocks.



ButShane? Should I call Shane?



Only if you want to be cleaning up blood instead of coffee



Hey, bitch, wheres my drink? the guy asked loudly from behind Claire. She felt him crowding up against her a second before he body-slammed her hard against the bar. Oops, sorry, little girl, didnt see you there. He didnt move back. Since when do we have kindergarten classes, anyway?



Her mocha hadof coursetumbled out of her hand and was rolling across the counter, bleeding coffee. Eve caught it and set it back upright. Hey! Claire squirmed to get free; he just kept her pinned.



Hey! Asshole! Eve echoed, louder, and pointed a finger over Claires head, glaring. Back off, man, or I call the campus cops.



Yeah, theyll really come running. Still, he backed up enough to let Claire twist away from him, clutching her mocha. He wasnt even looking at her. He was a big guyShane-bigwith black gelled hair in the latest cool style and fierce blue eyes. A nice face, good lips, high cheekbones. Altogether too pretty for his own good, Claire thought. Get me my damn coffee. Some of us have class around here.



Claire grabbed paper towels and began mopping up the spill on the customer side of the counter, so Eve didnt have to come around. Eve gave her a grateful look and began to pull shots. She assembled the drink in record time, slapped the top on it, and handed it to her tormentor.



Who grinned at her, tasted it, and put it back on the counter. Sucks, he said. Keep it.