Free Weekend by Christopher Pike Page A

Porter was used to this kind of talk. "Youmust take me seriously. Flynn may not be who he pretends to be. That's why I asked about his passport. I wanted to see it. You saw how he evaded me. And if he has taken a false name, his motives cannot be honest."
    Lena knew how to play her cards. "Tell me your suspicions, and I will decide how seriously to take your advice. Otherwise, my man will be here in a minute and I must get a few things in place, if you know what I mean. Be concise."
    "We're worried about… who has sent him. That's all I can tell you. It won't kill you to keep an eye on him, and I know you will with what I've already told you. Tomorrow we'll know more, and I'll call you then."
    Suddenly, Lena sounded uneasy. "Tomorrow's no good. Tell me now."
    "No."
    "Yes!"
    "I told you, our information's incomplete."
    "But there will be a ton of kids here tomorrow. You said this was private… Look, I'll call you. Do not call me. Give me your sister's number."
    Nurse Porter told her the number.
    "Got it. Now you've got me curious, damn you. I think I'll have a peek at his passport. He must have brought it if he was planning on re-entering the States."
    "Don't! God only knows what he'd do if he caught you fooling with his things."
    "Okay," Lena said, but she wasn't convincing.
    "You're sure Robin's fine?"
    "If she wasn't, she would have told me. Oh… a brown, hulky babe just slid in my door. Got to go."
    "Take care, dear."
    After they had hung up, Shani unplugged her phone before replacing the receiver, afraid a jingle in Lena's room would betray the eavesdropping. She turned off the light, hugging the blankets to her chin. Flynn was no longer caressing her sweaty limbs, and she was no longer nibbling on his salty ears. If he had knocked on her door this instant, she wouldn't have invited him in. She would have screamed.
    If she was searching for a suspect with intentions towards Robin, she would have scrutinized everyone in the housebut Flynn, for he was the only one who hadn't been at the party when Robin had had her accident. At least, no one had seen him there.
    Odd how the rest of them were all here, and no others. Odder still how none of them - after almost a year — ever referred to Robin's misfortune as anything but an accident.
    Of course, they all knew that it had been no accident.
    "One drink, it won't kill you."
    Sure.
    If only she could forget, or clearly remember, it could be put to rest. This "in-between" gave her no peace.
    Shani closed her eyes, listening to her heartbeat. A cool breeze stirred her curtains. Far away, over the black sea, a bird cried. Even as the darkness outside merged inside, she knew she would dream of poison.
    FIVE: LAST NOVEMBER
    Shani wondered if she was drunk. She was pretty sure she wasn't sober. To a stomach accustomed to carrot juice and watermelon, three-and-a-half beers must be the equivalent of downing a keg. At least she did not feel like vomiting - not yet. But her bladder was another story. She wished whoever was in the bathroom would hurry up. Next time Angie threw a party, she would tell her to rent an outhouse.
    Shani glanced around for someone to help her out of her chair. It was late, past midnight, and people —
    many, total strangers — had been coming and going for the last two hours. There weren't many left, too few to help clean up the half-eaten pizzas and spilled chip bowls. What a mess.
    "Listen here," Park was saying to Sol in reference to 'Good Vibrations' spinning on the stereo. "This melody structure is one of the most sophisticated ever created by the human mind." Park shook his head in dumbfounded awe. He was plastered. "Brian Wilson was the genius of the sixties, the king of the century! Love the colourful clothes he wears…"
    "Grego trash," Sol scowled, using his half-finished beer as an ash tray. Kerry tugged at his arm, trying to get him off the floor.
    "Let's go home, Sol. I've got to work tomorrow morning."
    "Yeah, sure, babe, just another minute,"