Better, or you know what happens. The cop ran down the roster. You. Collins. You still unemployed? He gave him a stare. A long one. Shane shrugged, lookingClaire thoughtas dumb as possible. Try harder.
Common Grounds, Eve volunteered before he could start in on her. Eve Rosser, sir, thank you. She was vibrating all overshe was so nervouswhich was funny; when shed been on her own, shed been cool and calm. She had hold of both Michaels and Shanes hands. Although, um, Im thinking of making a change.
The cop seemed bored now. Yeah, okay. You, the kid. Name?
Claire, she said faintly. UmDanvers. Im a student.
He looked at her again, and kept looking. Shouldnt you be in the dorm?
I have permission to live off campus. She didnt say from whom, because it was primarily herself.
He watched her for another few seconds, then shrugged. You live off campus, you follow the town rules. Your friends herell tell you what they are. Watch on campus about how much you pass alongwe got enough problems without panicking students. And were real good at finding blabbermouths.
She nodded.
That wasnt the end of it, but it was the end of her discussions with them; the police poked around a little, took some pictures, and left the house a few minutes later without another word to any of them.
For a good ten seconds after the police closed the front dooror closed it as much as was possible with a busted lockthere was silence, and then Shane turned to Michael and said, You fucking bastard. Claire swallowed hard at the tight fury in his voice.
You want to take this outside? Michael asked. He sounded neutral, almost calm. His eyes were anything but.
What, you can leave the house now?
No, I meant another room, Shane.
Hey, Eve said, dont
Shut up, Eve! Shane snapped.
Michael came off the couch like somebody had pushed him; he reached down, grabbed Shane by the T-shirt, and yanked him upright. Dont, he said, and gave him one hard shake. Your fathers an asshole. Its not a disease. You dont have to catch it.