The creep had a different car. Bigger. Newer. Gray instead of blue.
Or it could be another creep, Jane thought. The world was full of them. She broke into a trot and darted around the corner.
She waited.
The gray car coasted slowly around the corner. She tensed. Was it following her?
A man and woman? Maybe they’re not creeps.
Or maybe they were. Better not take any chances. She climbed over the chain-link fence, ran across the yard, then scrambled over the far fence.
Out the gate that led to the alley.
She glanced over her shoulder. No car.
Keep running.
Her heart was beating too hard.
Stop it. Don’t ever let the creeps scare you. That’s what they wanted. Scare you. Hurt you.
Don’t let them do it.
It was going to be okay.
Two more blocks and she’d be at Fay’s house. Maybe she’d tell Fay about the creeps. She was like the teachers at school. As long as she understood the danger, she’d do what she could to help. It was only when she didn’t understand that she—
She ran out of the alley into the street. The house was right ahead. Half a block. She looked back over her shoulder, and her heart leaped into her throat. Gray car. Turning the corner.
She hadn’t lost them.
She flew down the street toward Fay’s house.
Fay would keep her safe. She would call the cops and maybe they would care enough to come.
If they didn’t, at least she wouldn’t be alone. Fay would be there. She ran up the steps, threw open the door, and slammed it closed behind her. Safe. She was safe.
Maybe she was stupid to be scared. Maybe she wouldn’t tell Fay. That would be really stupid.
She’d tell her. 'Fay!' No answer.
The Killing Game – Eve Duncan 02
Page 105 of 286
The house was silent.
Fay must be in the kitchen. She always made sure she was home when Jane and the boys returned from school.
Yes, Fay was in the kitchen. Jane was sure she heard the loose board near the sink creak.
But why hadn’t she answered?
She slowly started across the living room toward the kitchen. 'Fay?'
'Fay Sugarton isn’t going to like this.' Joe parked in front of the house. 'She doesn’t want us talking to the kid.'
'Too bad. Dammit, we scared her. I’m not going to let her have nightmares about this.' Eve opened the car door. 'Fine tail you are. I told you not to let her know we were following.'
“She’s sharp.' Joe got out of the car. 'It’s almost as if she was expecting it.' Eve glanced at him.
'You think she knows she’s being watched?”
“It seems we’re going to have the opportunity to ask her.' Joe climbed the steps and rang the doorbell. 'If we can get Fay Sugarton to let us in the front door.'
'She has no choice. She cares about the girl. It’s not as if we’re going to tell Jane about— Why isn’t she answering the door?'
Joe rang the bell again. 'She said she was going to the grocery store. Maybe she’s not home and the kid’s too scared to answer.'
'She’s had hours to get home from the store.' She tried the door. 'It’s locked.”
“The kid.' He thought about it. 'Then again, maybe not. What the hell.' He put his shoulder against the door and broke through it. 'Illegal is better than— Shit!' He crumpled to the floor as a baseball bat struck his kneecaps.
Jane whirled on Eve and struck her in the rib cage with the bat. Pain seared through Eve. She was barely able to dodge as the girl swung the bat at her head. 'Creep.' Tears were running down her face. 'Fucking creep.' She swung the bat again. 'I’ll kill you, you dirty—'
Joe dove from his knees and brought Jane down. 'Don’t hurt her,' Eve gasped.
'Don’t hurt her? I may have to have a knee replacement.' He straddled the struggling child.
'And she tried to knock your brains out.'
'She’s scared. We broke into the house. She thought—' Blood. The little girl was covered in blood. Her cheeks,
