Black Christmas by Lee Hays Page B

you in the first place? I knew you’d react, but I didn’t think—”
    “What the hell are you trying to do to me?”
    “What are you trying to do to yourself?”
    Wheeling on her furiously, Peter exclaimed, “Let’s get one thing straight! You are not going to abort that baby. Do you hear me?”
    “I could hardly not hear you, Peter. Probably most of the campus can hear you. But no matter how loud you yell it won’t change my mind. You are not going to tell me what I can and cannot do.”
    “Jess, if you try to get an abortion—”
    “Peter, let’s just drop the whole thing, huh? It’s late. I’m tired, you’re tired. I think you’d better go.”
    They heard noises at the front door and Peter lowered his voice.
    “Jess, if you do this, you’ll be sorry.”
    “I said I think you’d better go!” Weary and distraught she let her anger rise to the surface as she added, “Get out!”
    Raging, Peter rushed past her into the hallway where he almost collided with Ken Fuller. He didn’t even acknowledge Phyl, who was standing between the lieutenant and another man, but pulled open the front door and angrily slammed it shut behind him. Ken Fuller watched him curiously as Phyl hurried into the living room calling out, “Jess?” Jess was standing by the tree, staring into space when Phyl came into the room.
    “Hi,” she said.
    “Are you okay? Peter seemed . . .”
    “Yeah. I’m fine. Any more news?”
    “You heard about the high school girl?” When Jess nodded, Phyl said, “There are some people here to see about the phone calls. Out in the hall.”
    She led Jess back into the hallway where Fuller and the other man were looking at the phone and the wire that led from it and was stapled to the wall. They looked up when the girls came into the room.
    “Jess, this is Lieutenant Fuller. Jess is the one who called the station, Lieutenant. And this is, I’m sorry—”
    “Graham,” the other man said, “Bill Graham.”
    “Hi.”
    “You’re the one who called the station?” Fuller asked. “Miss—”
    “Jessica Bradley. Yes, I’m the one. I guess I’ve gotten more of the calls.”
    “Just a second,” Fuller said. “Graham, why don’t you get started down here.” He turned to Jess and Phyl. “We’re going to put a tap on your phone. And, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take a look at Clare Harrison’s room.”
    “Sure,” Phyl said as the two men took off their coats.
    “This the only extension?” Graham asked.
    “Yes. It has a long cord. Normally,” Jessica answered, “it’s in the living room but if you want privacy you bring it out here. Sometimes we forget and leave it here in the hallway.”
    “Clare’s room is up there,” Phyl said to Fuller, starting up the stairs. Fuller followed and Jess, after a nod from Graham went with them.
    “How many girls live in this house?” Fuller asked.
    “Usually ten, plus Mrs. Mac. But there are only three of us here tonight. Christmas holidays.”
    As they disappeared up the stairs, Graham picked up the receiver and started to dial.
    Silently Phyl led them to Clare’s room, opened the door and switched on the light.
    “Here we are. All of the rooms are about the same. Not very fancy as you can see.”
    Fuller nodded and moved about the room, picking up a hanger from the floor and tossing it on Clare’s bed, looking at the suitcase, opening drawers, peering into the closet.
    “Tell me about the calls,” he said.
    Phyl nodded to Jess who cleared her throat and began. “They’ve called several times before but usually they don’t say anything.”
    “They?”
    “A figure of speech. I suppose I should say, but I’m not sure actually if, oh, I guess it has to be a man. But, this afternoon there was a call, a woman’s voice. I thought at first it was a wrong number. But then she started screaming at me and she wouldn’t listen to anything I said.”
    “So you’re not sure if it’s a man or woman?”
    “I’m pretty sure it’s