Howliday Inn by James Howe

Author:James Howe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

“He may have overheard us talking, but he never heard us say he murdered Louise.”

“You believe that Louise was murdered?” Georgette asked, her eyes growing wide. “How can you say such a thing?”

“I say it because it’s true,” Chester replied matter-of-factly.

“Oh, come on, mate,” Max retorted. “You have an overstimulated imagination, if you ask me. Just like Lyle. I’ve always said that about cats.”

Lyle was outraged. “Don’t put me in the same camp as Chester,” he cried. “I may be crazy, but I’m not that crazy! I never accused anybody of murder. He’s a troublemaker. String him up! That’s what I say. Let’s string him up!” Hysterical, he dashed off, I presumed in search of rope.

Chester stared coolly at the three who remained. “Yes,” he said, “I know who murdered Louise. I need just a little more information, and when I have it, I’ll prove my case.”

Max began to laugh.

“Go ahead and laugh,” Chester snapped, cutting him off mid-chortle. “Yes, my friend, laugh today, for tomorrow you’ll know the truth. And then, perhaps, you’ll never laugh again.”

I noticed that Howard and Heather had come up behind Taxi and were listening to what Chester had to say. I felt myself trembling as I beheld the five pairs of eyes staring penetratingly at Chester. It was so quiet you could have heard a doggie-pop drop.

And then, all at once, Heather threw back her head and let out an ear-splitting howl.

“Aaaah-ooooooooooooooooooo!” she cried. Gasps of shock went out from us all. She looked about her, an expression of great surprise on her face.

“So sorry,” she said softly. “Just not myself. Oh, how embarrassing. I think I’d best—”

“—rest,” Howard continued. “Yes, dear, I do think that’s best.” And off they went, their heads bobbing all the way back to their bungalows. We watched them go.

Then, without a word, Max, Georgette and Taxi followed, leaving Chester and me alone with each other and our thoughts.

I looked at Chester. A cool smile sat on his lips.

“How can you smile like that?” I asked. “Don’t you realize what a dangerous thing you’ve done? Exposing yourself like that? Now the murderer knows you’ve found him out.”

“Oh, I don’t think I’ve done such a dangerous thing,” Chester answered smoothly. He was quiet then, and I remember looking at him, hoping that he was right and feeling somewhere deep in my bones that he wasn’t.

He was lost in thought for the rest of the day. In fact, the only time he spoke to me again was shortly before dinner.

“Just one word of warning,” he said. “Keep awake tonight. The murderer may strike again. Remember: do not sleep. If you do, you may never wake again.”

How it chills me to recall those words. Particularly when I think of them as Chester’s last.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.