Amulet of Doom by Bruce Coville Page A

could somehow protect her.
    â€œYou!”
    Kyle Patterson smiled. “None other. What in blazes are you up to?”
    â€œGo away,” said Marilyn.
    The smile faded from Kyle’s face. “Not a chance. You’re in some kind of trouble—or you’re going to be, if you get caught. I’m not leaving you alone here. So you may as well let me help.”
    â€œYou can’t. And I can’t explain. You’ll think I’m crazy.”
    â€œMarilyn!” He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. “I know you’re crazy. That’s not the point. I’m on your side. Whatever it is you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in, I want to help.” He looked at her, and his eyes were almost fierce. “I mean it!”
    She leaned against the wall and let out her breath with a heavy sigh. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
    â€œI don’t care what it is!” Dropping the knife he had offered her, he reached forward and took her by the shoulders. For a moment she thought he was going to shake her. “I don’t care what it is,” he repeated, drawing her closer.
    She collapsed against his chest and, to her own astonishment, began to cry.
    He put his arms around her and held her close. “You don’t even have to tell me,” he whispered, his voice gentle. “Just let me help.”
    She nodded and pressed against him.
    â€œAll right, I will. You don’t know how scared I’ve been, Kyle. You don’t know how awful these last days have been. I should make you go, now, before it’s too late … before you’re tangled up in this, too. But I can’t. I’m too scared.”
    He tightened his arms around her. “It’ll be all right,” he whispered. “Whatever it is, it’ll be all right.”
    She drew back from him and wiped her eyes. “What are you doing here, anyway?”
    â€œI couldn’t sleep.”
    She looked at him suspiciously.
    He sighed. “All right, if you want the truth, I talked to Alicia. She told me you might be doing something crazy.”
    Marilyn scowled.
    â€œDon’t be angry with her. It just about killed her to call me. But she didn’t know what else to do. And even then she wouldn’t tell me what this is all about. She just told me you might need help.” He took a deep breath. “Which is why I’m here.”
    She stared at him for a long time.
    â€œAll right,” she said at last. “If you mean it, let’s get busy. We don’t have much time.”
    â€œWhat are we going to do?”
    She took a deep breath, then said, “I’m here to rob a corpse.”
    Before he could reply, she bent and picked up the pocketknife he had dropped. Turning back to the window, she opened the long, sharp blade, hesitated, then closed it again. Using the short blade, which was blunt, she was able to pry the wood framing loose from the sill without tearing the plastic.
    â€œHere, let me finish that,” said Kyle. Reaching past her, he tucked his fingertips over the top of the wood and pulled. His arm was close to her face and she couldn’t help noticing the play of his muscles and the faint scent of sweat on his skin.
    â€œThere!”
    The strip of wood ripped away from the wall, bringing the plastic with it. He made a few more quick tugs, and the window was clear.
    Marilyn looked at the opening and shuddered. It was like a black mouth leading into emptiness.
    Kyle put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll go first.”
    She shook her head. “This is my problem. I go first.”
    â€œSuit yourself.” She could sense the shrug of his shoulders.
    She looked at the hole again and wished he had been willing to fight her for the point. Too late now, Sparks. Get moving!
    She picked up her flashlight from where it had fallen in the wet grass and played the beam through the window. The light revealed a small