The Wrong Number by R.L. Stine

Author:R.L. Stine [Stine, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

chapter

14

Deena called Jade back right away.

“Was that who I think it was?” she said as soon as her friend answered.

“It’s definitely him,” said Jade. “I’d never forget that voice.”

“Me neither,” agreed Deena. “I think we ought to tell the police.”

“Oh, sure,” said Jade bitterly. “They didn’t believe a word we said. And if they didn’t believe us before, what makes you think they’ll believe us now? They’ll probably just think we’re desperate, which we are.”

“But it was him, Jade!” said Deena. “I’m going to call Detective Frazier first thing in the morning.”

“Lots of luck,” said Jade. “Especially since the police don’t even believe there was a masked man.”

“Well, we saw him,” said Deena. “If it was Mr. Farberson, that means he broke into his own house.”

“And murdered his own wife,” Jade added in a soft voice.

“Why would he do such a thing?” said Deena.

“I don’t know,” said Jade. “There must have been a reason.”

Deena sat thinking for a moment, wondering what reason anyone could possibly have for committing such a terrible crime. “Maybe he and Mrs. Farberson had a big fight,” she said finally.

“Maybe,” agreed Jade. “And maybe he killed her during the fight. But why would he break into the house? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Wait a minute,” Deena said. “What if that’s the reason he did it?”

“Huh?” said Jade. “You lost me on that last turn.”

“What if he broke into the house to make it look as if a burglar did it? What if it was all part of a plan to kill his wife?”

Jade was silent for a moment. “I see what you mean,” she said. “But why would he want to kill her?”

“I don’t know,” said Deena. “But I’m sure the police can find out, and then they’ll have to let Chuck go.”

“I guess so,” Jade said doubtfully.

“Sure they will. You’ll see. And then we can forget about this whole thing and start living normal lives again.” If the police listen to me, she thought. And somehow she didn’t feel as sure of that as she sounded.

“Now let me get this straight,” Detective Frazier said slowly. It was early the next morning, and Deena had intended to leave the detective a message, but he answered his own phone. From the skeptical tone in his voice she almost wished he hadn’t. “You and your friend both contend that the masked man you claim to have seen at the Farbersons’ place was actually Mr. Farberson?” Frazier went on.

“We’re positive,” said Deena. “When we saw him on TV last night we both knew—instantly—from his voice. It couldn’t be anyone else.”

“His voice,” Frazier repeated dryly.

“And since it was him,” Deena went on, ignoring the detective’s lack of response, “that means he did it—broke into the house and killed his own wife.”

“Does your voice analysis tell you why Mr. Farberson allegedly committed these crimes?” asked Frazier.

“I don’t know. Maybe his wife had a big insurance policy,” said Deena. “Or maybe they just had a fight. I’m sure you can find out.”

“You are, are you?” said the detective.

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