The Well by A. J. Whitten

Author:A. J. Whitten
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2010-02-18T22:00:00+00:00

They hung up colored posters with Megan’s picture, organized search parties, sent cops crawling through town, and had reporters talking to everyone from the mailman to Megan’s third grade teacher, people popping out opinions like Pez.

I was dragged down to the police station early Monday morning, hours after the missing-persons report was filed. Held there for six hours and questioned by Mike’s dad, the cop assigned to the case. He slammed his hand on the metal table so hard, I thought he was going to leave a dent or break a bone. “I know you did it, Cooper. I know you killed her. Just admit it and we can all go home.”

“I didn’t do anything.” I glared at Sergeant Ring, a balding guy in his late fifties whose belt wasn’t doing a very good job of keeping his gut in check.

Guilt twisted a tightening rope around my intestines. Had I killed her? Had I led her to that thing and let it eat her, like it had Paolo? Had I done this?

That’s all I kept thinking about, all that kept running through my mind.

Oh God, Megan.

“Tell me where she went,” Sergeant Ring said.

“I don’t know, I told you.”

“Bullshit.” Sergeant Ring leaned forward, shifting his belt under his gut, as if the donuts got top priority. His breath reeked of stale beer; his eyes were red and bleary. Even I recognized the hangover in him. “I know you’re dating her. That makes you bad guy number one. Maybe I should lock you up.”

“Not a chance. I watch CSI and Law & Order,” I said, ready to be out of there so I could look for Megan myself. I couldn’t trust these guys. For one, Ring was a total alcoholic. He could barely raise his own kid and crashed his car into his front porch last summer. Why would I think he could find Megan? For another, the whole well-and-creature story was completely unbelievable-and at this point, I didn’t even know for sure that’s what was responsible.

But since she’d been gone, there had been no slime and no calling from the well-and to be honest, that was more worrisome than this cop’s threats. “You can’t hold me without a good reason. And all you have is guesses about nothing.”

Sergeant Ring leaned in even closer, so close I could tell he needed a Mento as much as he needed a bigger belt. “I’ll give you nothing, punk. Tell me where she is.”

The door opened, and a young, skinny cop walked in, like a “before” picture of Mike’s dad. “His parents are back. This time with their lawyer.”

Sergeant Ring cursed. Foiled again by the ambulance chasers. “I’ll be watching you,” he said, wagging a finger in my face, “wherever you go, whatever you do. You forget to tie your shoelace in gym, I’ll be taking pictures. You order an extra milk at lunch and forget to pay for it, I’ll arrest you for stealing. I’m going to be your new best friend, Cooper.”

I had fifty smart remarks I could have sent back but didn’t.

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