The Dead Girls Dance Page 0,62

the van and the door sliding shut.

And as her head began to clear up again, except for a monster-sized headache centered right over her eyes, she remembered the van, too. Shed seen it before. Shed been in it before.

And just like before, Jennifer was driving, and Monica and Gina were in the back. Gina was holding her down. The girls looked flushed. Crazy. Not good.

Eve, Claire whispered.

Monica leaned closer. Who, the freak? Not here.

What did you do to her?

Just a little cut, nothing too serious, Monica said. You ought to be worried about yourself, Claire. My daddy wanted to get a message to you.

Yourwhat?

Daddy. What, you dont have one of those? Or do you just not know which john was the sperm donor? Monica sneered. She was wearing a tight pair of blue jeans and an orange top, and she looked as glossy as a magazine page. Oh, dont bother, mouse. Just stay downyou wont get hurt.

Gina pinched Claire, hard. Claire yelled, and Monica grinned in response. Well, she amended, maybe hurt a little. But a tough chick like you can take it, right, genius?

Gina pinched Claire again, and Claire gritted her teeth and managed to keep it to just a whimper this time. Easier, since she was already prepared for the pain. Gina looked disappointed. Maybe she should scream her lungs out no matter what, save herself the trouble of Gina having to work harder for it.

You were following us, Claire said. She felt nauseated, probably from smacking her head into the dashboard, and she was deeply worried about Eve. A little cut. Monica wasnt the type to do anything halfway.

See? I told you she was a genius, didnt I? Monica sat down in one of the padded leather seats that lined the van, and crossed her legs. She had on cute platform shoes that matched her orange tank top, and she inspected her nailsalso done in orangefor signs of chipping. You know what, genius? Youre right. I was following you. See, I wanted to bring you in quietly, but no, you and Zombie Girlfriend had to make it all difficult. Why arent you in class, anyway? Isnt that, like, against your religion or something, cutting class?

Claire struggled to sit up. Gina glanced at Monica, who nodded; Claire edged away from Gina and put her back up against the sliding door of the van. She rubbed her stinging arm where Gina had given her pinches. Shane, she said. Thats what your dad wants to see me about, isnt it?

Monica shrugged. I guess. Look, I dont like Shane; thats no secret. But I never intended for his sister to get killed in that fire. It was a stupid school thing, okay? No big deal.

No big deal? Of everything Monica had ever said to herand thered been some jaw-droppersthat was maybe the worst. No big deal? A kid died, and you destroyed their whole family! Dont you get it? Shanes mom

Not my fault! Monica was suddenly flushed. Not used to being blamed, Claire guessed; maybe nobody ever had blamed her except Shane. Even if she remembered, if shed kept her mouth shut, shed have been fine! And Alyssa was an accident!

Yeah, Claire said. Im sure that makes it all better. She felt gritty and tired, never mind the sleep shed had, or the shower. The floor of the van was filthy. What the hell does your father want with me, anyway?

Monica stared at her in silence for a few seconds, then said, He doesnt think Shane killed Brandon.

Youre kidding.

No. He thinks it was Shanes dad. Monicas perfectly lipsticked mouth curved into a slow smile. Hed like for you to tell Shanes dad that and see what happens. Cause if he was any kind of a father, he wouldnt stand by and let his baby boy take the heat for him. Literally.

So he wants me to tell Shanes dadthe mayor is willing to make a deal?

Shanes life for his fathers, Monica said. No real dad could resist something like that. Shanes not important, but Dad wants this over. Now.

Claire had a very bad feeling squirming in the pit of her stomach, like shed swallowed earthworms. I dont believe it. Theyd never let Shane go! Not if Oliver had any say in it, anyway.

Monica shrugged. Im just delivering a message. You can tell Frank whatever you damn well want, but if youre smart, youll tell him something to get him out in the open. Get me? Amelies Protection only goes so