Halloween Party by R.L. Stine Page B

you two can do is fight about it!” She turned to Philip. “Mr. Cameron,” she said, “we all feel terrible about this. But I’m sure no one here could have done such a terrible thing.”
    â€œSomeone cut the banister,” said Philip, downstairs now, sitting beside his niece. “And nearly killed my niece.”
    â€œNow, Uncle Philip,” Justine said placatingly. “Whoever it was couldn’t have known I’d be the one to lean on the railing—” She put an arm around her uncle’s shoulders. “I just feel so bad that it’s spoiled the party. All I ever wanted was for everyone to have a good time.”
    Philip stood and stepped away, shaking his head.
    â€œHey, no problem.” Alex was at her side on the couch and slipped his arm around her. “Nothing’s spoiled. It’s a great party.”
    â€œHonest,” chimed in Angela, wrapping Justine’s wrist. “None of the things that have gone wrong are your fault. We’re all having a good time.”
    â€œReally?” Justine asked in a tiny voice. “Thank you for saying so.”
    Now everyone else crowded around Justine, telling her what a great party it was. Justine turned her smile back on in full force.
    â€œThank you all so much,” she said. “Maybe we just need a few minutes to catch our breath and relax, and then we’ll get on with the party. After all, there are still plenty more surprises.” She paused and stood up, then glanced around. “I’m going upstairs for a few minutes to get myself together. I’ll see you guys soon.”
    â€œWhatever you say,” Alex said. He had rested one hand lightly on the back of her neck and was looking at her as if no one else in the room existed. Justine whispered something in Alex’s ear. Alex laughed and whispered something back. Then Justine headed upstairs.
    How can Justine be with Alex? Terry wondered. Alex was probably the one who cut the banister, or at least knew who did.
    â€œThose two are headed for nothing but trouble,” Niki suddenly said. He saw that she, too, was watching Alex and Justine.
    â€œI know what you mean,” he agreed. “Someone ought to warn her.”
    â€œWarn her ?” Niki’s eyes flashed. “Someone ought to warn him . You may think I’m wrong, but I just don’t trust her.”
    â€œYou just have some kind of silly hunch, that’s all,” Terry said, surprised at how much he felt like defending Justine. “You know what, Niki, you’re acting likeyou’re—” He stopped himself before he said something he’d regret.
    â€œI’m acting like I’m what?” Niki put a hand on Terry’s cheek and pulled his face toward her. Her eyes were blazing—with anger and something else.
    â€œLike you’re—well—jealous!” Terry let it out. “Now that Alex is paying more attention to Justine than to you, you seem to think Justine is the Wicked Witch of the West.”
    For a moment Niki didn’t answer. Her face had gotten very pale. “Is that what you really think?” she said at last.
    â€œLook, I know you don’t really care about Alex,” said Terry. “But how come you’re so down on Justine all of a sudden?”
    â€œIn the first place, I do care about Alex,” Niki said. “As a friend. And I don’t want to see him get hurt. In the second place, there’s something about Justine that just isn’t right. And if she didn’t have you on her string, you’d see it yourself. Some very strange things have been happening—”
    â€œOh, right,” said Terry, stung. “And I suppose you think Justine cut through the banister herself.”
    â€œI didn’t say that,” said Niki. “I don’t know who cut through it. But that doesn’t change the fact that Justine is playing some kind of game with all of