Chilling Effect by Miller Melissa F

Author:Miller, Melissa F. [Miller, Melissa F.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2015-04-17T20:34:31+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Boom parked Isaac’s red car in the fi rst empty spot in the elementary school’s small parking lot. He felt vaguely guilty about using the car without seeking permission from Isaac’s mother, but he reasoned

that Cathy Palmer had enough on her plate trying to get a handle

on her son’s aff airs and—not to be cruel—Isaac had no use for the

vehicle anymore.

He killed the engine and slipped the key into his pocket. As he

locked the door, he noticed that he was parked askew—the back end

of the Tercel was over the line, encroaching into the next spot. He considered trying to straighten it out, but he was enough of a realist to know he was unlikely to improve the situation. It had been well

over a decade since he’d had occasion to get behind the wheel of a

car. He was a cautious and reluctant driver but a terrible parker. Th at had been true even when he used to drive regularly; he thought it

unlikely his parking skills would have improved with disuse.

CHILLING EFFECT

He put the car out of mind and focused on what he was about to

say and do. Walk into the school building and tell Kelly in the offi ce that he needed to fetch Lily Smith. Everyone at the school knew and trusted him; they all loved his storytelling sessions with the kids.

Once they’d called Lily out of class, he’d get her to the car and off the reservation before Lee or anyone else knew what had happened. He

hoped Ruby had told the school that he was authorized to pick up

the girl, but he didn’t think it really mattered one way or the other.

He mounted the wide, cracked steps slowly, holding fi rmly to

the metal railing splitting them down the middle. Inside, he paused for a moment in the silent hallway and thought of all the trusting, young souls sitting in quiet circles and uneven rows in the rooms

that lined the hall. Th en he smiled and pushed open the door to the offi ce to greet Kelly.

Four minutes later, he walked back out of Mary Proudfoot Ele-

mentary School with Lily by his side.

“I don’t understand. Why does my mom want me to leave

early?” Lily asked as she adjusted the wide, padded straps of her

backpack, stooping a little under the weight of her school books.

“And why didn’t she come get me herself? She doesn’t work until

tonight.”

Boom waited until they reached the parking lot to answer. He

turned and faced the girl squarely.

“Lily, I’m going to treat you like an adult, okay?”

“Okay.” Her small voice quavered.

“I was reading a book by my living room window when I heard

a car door slam. I looked up and saw Lee Buckmount getting out

of a car in front of your house. He knocked on your front door. A

moment later, he and your mom got in the car, and he drove off .”

Lily scrunched up her face in confusion. “Mr. Buckmount

picked up my mom? Where did they go?”

133

MELISSA F. MILLER

Boom spread his hands wide. “I don’t know, little one.

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