Out of the Ashes by Valerie Sherrard Page B

envisioned a scene where Greg had knocked me unconscious and dragged me into an empty building. He would splash gasoline around, all the while feeling this awful anguish over having to kill me, the only girl he had ever really wanted. Just as he lit the match, my eyes would flutter open and I’d say weakly, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
    â€œOh, yeah? And why not?” he’d ask, because that’s the way it always happens. Killers can never resist talking to their victims; I’d seen enough movies to know that much.
    â€œBecause if you do, you’ll be going to jail for murder instead of just facing arson charges. Guaranteed.”
    â€œThey’ll never catch me!” he’d insist, his eyes half mad.
    â€œThey won’t have to. I already did, and once I’m dead everyone will know it.”
    â€œHow?” he wouldn’t sound so sure of himself then. He’d blow out the match, waiting for my answer.
    â€œBecause I have it all recorded and hidden away in a place where it will be found if anything ever happens to me.” I’d smile to show him just how unafraid I really was.
    â€œI don’t believe you.” His voice would be shaky though, and I’d know he was wavering.
    â€œWell, believe it or don’t believe it, it’s still true. It’s all there, every last detail, starting with the mitten I found near the fire at the Lawfords’.”
    â€œMitten?” he’d gasp, remembering that he’d lost one that night. Sweat would break out on his forehead, and his face would be pale and frightened.
    â€œYeah, it’s hidden too, and my notes will lead the police right to it. I’m afraid you’re heading for prison for a long, long time, if you kill me.” As he looked more and more worried, I’d continue.
    â€œOn the other hand, if you let me go, things will probably go pretty easy for you. After all, you’re young and you lost your mom in a fire. The court will probably be understanding and just give you probation or something.”
    Then he’d put his face in his hands and tell me how sorry he was and that he never wanted to hurt me. Of course, I’d be kind and understanding.
    Afterward we’d go to the police, and he’d confess to the fires and tell the police how I’d solved the crime single-handedly.
    The newspapers would do some front page stories about me then. Heck, I might even be on the six o’clock news. But through it all I’d be modest and just insist that I had only done my civic duty, or whatever it is that heroes say at times like that when they want everyone to know how humble they really are.
    After that much excitement, even if it was only in my imagination, it was kind of hard to get to sleep.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    By the end of the next week, things were coming together better than I could have imagined. First of all, Nick had asked me to go to a movie with him on Friday night. That was on Wednesday, but on Thursday he had to cancel because his aunt was coming to visit, and his mom said the family should stay home to make her feel welcome.
    I was a little disappointed, but I didn’t let it bother me too much. After all, it proved he was interested, and he was sure to ask me again before long.
    At the same time, I’d been talking real friendly to Greg, making it clear that any hard feelings I’d had in the past were over with. He warmed up quickly, and we chatted a few times at school. Since Nick was going to be stuck in the house on Friday, I figured it would be a good time to start my investigation in earnest.
    I casually asked Greg if he was working that evening, and when he said no, I told him I was going to The Scream Machine for a while if he wanted to get together for a soda.
    â€œJust as friends,” I added quickly to make sure he didn’t misunderstand. He said sure, and at seven-thirty that night we met there.
    The first thing I