I could tell, no connection to religious Satanism, this junk seemed to attract the young (pissy
I was reading up on the more horrific manifestations of this mystical acting out, when
By the time I had regained composure enough to pick up the receiver, I hoped it might
“Adrien…?”
than usual. “Where are you?”
I heard a sound like a garbage disposal running in the background, which I deduced
“Listen to me carefully,” I said. “They dug up a body in Eaton Canyon a couple of days
“I didn’t have anything to do with it,” he said desperately. My heart sank. Not: “I don’t
“Do they know where you live? Maybe they’ve already found it.”
quick, ragged discussion with Wanda.
“Terrific,” I said briefly. “No one will ever think of looking there.”
by the area code. I scribbled the number. Then I called Jake’s cell. It was busy. I pressed
“It’s me.” I explained briefly, recited Angus’s phone number. “He asked me to pick
you want to have a look around without a warrant.” I pulled the address out of my Rolodex,
* * * * *
peeling shutters were blood-colored – possibly brown in the light of day. The attached
For laughs, I walked to the front and tried the door. It was locked. I decided that was a
other side of the tall wooden gate.
landing in tall grass and weeds.
various sizes. I didn’t need to use my flashlight thanks to the dramatic full moon, and the fact
shadows. I poked around in the dirt and dead twigs, found the key, and opened the sliding
purchased it. The coffee table was littered with music magazines and bills. There were
There was also a copy of The Satanic Bible. I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise at
After a moment I shook off my inertia, telling myself not to be an ass. I quickly
room.
reek of garbage. A phone book lay open on the table. I glanced at the yellow pages:
style. There were a couple of postcards, a schedule of classes that neither of them was
now. Which is where I would have been if I had any sense at all.
bedrooms.
fingerprints. The articles I remembered touching.
head around the doorframe.
“No,” I said. “No. No fucking way.” My voice sounded shocked and loud. Way too loud.
Dimly, I made out the giant circle scrawled on the wall above the headboard. Circle
ranking demon.
to turn my back on the body in the bedroom. I reached the living room without falling over
The glass door slid open behind me. I spun around, blood thundering in my ears. I
Jake slipped inside, got one look at my face, and was across the floor in two strides. His
“I won’t.” I thought I said it aloud, but maybe I was just thinking it. My face seemed to
soap; he smelled alive.
I shook my head.
cushions, practiced taking long, calm breaths.
face. Nice to know I wasn’t the only one sick with horror.
kid. I think, but I’m not sure, that they match the stuff painted on your doorstep. Would you
I gave him a long, unfriendly look, forced myself to get up. I walked back to the
thing was written in blood – her blood.
“I think it’s the same.” The voice didn’t sound like mine.
worst, by far.
I lifted my head. Blinked at him. “Huh?”
you over here.”