Broken Hearts by R.L. Stine Page A

and stared hard at Erica, studying her face. “It wasn’t? What makes you so sure?”
    â€œI just know it wasn’t Jenkman,” Erica replied with surprising defensiveness. “For one thing, Jenkman didn’t send those threatening valentines.”
    â€œHow do you know that?” Josie demanded suspiciously.
    â€œHe told me,” Erica explained. “He sent those other ones you got. The two funny ones. The ones signed ‘Secret Admirer.’”
    â€œYou talked to Jenkman?” Josie asked, her eyes wide with surprise. “When? What about?”
    â€œThe other day. He called to talk to you,” Erica said. And then she added with obvious bitterness, “But, of course, you weren’t here. Of course, you were out.”
    â€œSo?” Josie asked impatiently.
    Erica sighed. “So I told him about the ugly threatening cards. He swore he didn’t send them. He told me he only sent those two funny cards.”
    Josie climbed to her feet and crossed her arms over her chest. She glared at Erica. “And you believed him?”
    â€œYes,” Erica insisted shrilly. “He’s not a liar, Josie.”
    Josie uttered a bitter laugh. “Since when are you anexpert on Jenkman?” she demanded. “You know, Erica, I think you have a crush on that creep. Look at you. You’re blushing.”
    Erica turned away. “What if I do?” she said angrily. She swallowed hard. “It doesn’t matter. Jenkman doesn’t know I exist. I’m just someone to take phone messages for you.”
    â€œHe’s a creep,” Josie said, making her way to the window and peering out. The light was still on in Melissa’s room across the street. “He’s a creep and he’s dangerous. And he hates me.” She shuddered and stepped back from the window.
    â€œHe doesn’t hate you,” Erica told her. “He’s still sending you valentines, still calling you, still trying to get your attention.”
    â€œYeah. Get my attention. By killing my dog,” Josie said, her voice catching in her throat. Tears formed in her eyes again. This time she let them run down her cheeks.
    â€œJosie, listen—” Erica started.
    â€œI should call the police back,” Josie interrupted her. “I should tell them to go question Jenkman.”
    â€œIt wasn’t Jenkman,” Erica insisted softly. “I think it was Luke.”
    Her accusation stunned Josie. Josie froze in place, then slowly shook her head. “No, no way,” she said. “Luke has a temper. But he’s basically a wimp.”
    â€œLuke is very angry at you,” Erica said.
    â€œTell me something I don’t know,” Josie sneered, rolling her eyes. “But he’s basically a wimp, Erica. He wouldn’t kill Muggy.”
    Erica started to reply, but their mother appeared inthe doorway just then, a worried expression on her face. “Josie, would you go brush Rachel’s hair for a bit?”
    Josie glanced at the clock on Erica’s wall. “But, Mom, it’s after midnight,” she protested.
    â€œI know,” Mrs. McClain said, sighing wearily. “But Rachel is very upset. About Muggy, I’m sure. She’s very tense, very excited, Josie. I can’t get her to go to sleep. Would you help me out? Just go in and talk soothingly to Rachel and brush her hair for a while.”
    â€œSure, Mom,” Josie replied, shaking her head unhappily. She brushed past her mother and made her way down the hall to Rachel’s room.
    Rachel was in her nightdress, sitting in the big, overstuffed armchair across from her bed, her hands in her lap. Josie stopped in the doorway to stare at her twin.
    She looks so pretty, so childlike, Josie thought. The light from the floor lamp behind the chair illuminated Rachel’s hair from behind, giving it a coppery glow. Like a halo, Josie thought. Rachel was like a pale, pretty