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waste time with a house they think is deserted.' |
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'OK. I'll do that as soon as I hang up.' |
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'Fine, fine. Is Kara there?' |
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'She sure is. Just a second.' Denise covered the mouthpiece. 'Don't mention Tom,' she warned, then passed the handset to the girl. |
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'Oh, hi, Dad.' She stared at Denise while she listened. She had a nervous look in her eyes. |
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'Yeah, everything fine. We're having a nice party. We made some popcorn, and . . .' She fell silent. Her lower lip strained down, baring her teeth. 'Oh, gosh.' |
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I'd better check on Tom, Denise thought. |
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But she wanted to hear Kara's end of the conversation. |
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'I will . . . OK . . . I love you, too . . . Bye.' She reached high and hung up the phone. When she turned to Denise, she wore her spooked-by-the-boogeyman look, but there was no hint of amusement. 'What're we going to do?' |
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'What did your father say?' |
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'He said I should do whatever you tell me and not give you any argument.' |
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Denise gently squeezed the girl's shoulder. 'Everything will be OK.' |
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Her face changed. She looked as if she might be considering something that was very personal and very embarrassing. 'I hate to say this, but I think maybe we oughta hide.' |
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'Probably a good idea. But your dad mentioned a hammer. Do you know where it is?' |
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