"The Grim Reaper's Dance" - читать интересную книгу автора (Clemens Judy)

Chapter Ten

It took Bailey longer in the Family Dollar than Casey had foreseen. They’d driven to the next town, Bailey conscious of the fact that she was supposed to be in school and the clerk at the local pharmacy would be sure to tell somebody they’d seen her there. Bailey assured Casey that no one in this neighboring store would have the slightest idea who she was. Casey, having to take the girl’s word for it, scrounged around in the back seat to find another ball cap, and pulled it low over her face as she sank down in her seat, keeping her eyes averted whenever she heard or saw movement outside the car. Casey had instructed Bailey to park in the far corner of the lot, hoping no one would come close enough they would get noticed.

Bailey finally exited the store. A man going toward the store did a double take, and Casey sucked in a breath. She unlocked the driver’s door and Bailey slid in, thrusting the bag at Casey. “See what you think.”

“You see that man?” He was just disappearing into the store.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“You know him?”

“Don’t think so. Why?”

“He sure noticed you.”

“I’m telling you, Casey, no one in this town knows me. Maybe he just thought I was pretty.”

Casey couldn’t tell if this was a challenge or a plea for affirmation. “Of course he did.” Or he wasn’t used to seeing Gothish girls at their small town store. “I was just worried about you being recognized.”

Bailey pulled the car out of the parking lot. “So, how did I do?”

Casey peered into the bag. “I don’t think I had this many things on the list.”

“Of course you didn’t. But you obviously don’t know the first thing about make-up.”

She had, at one point. She could actually clean up pretty well. Reuben had always liked those nights when she would put on something other than her dobak or the yoga pants that were so comfortable for playing on the floor with Omar. Not that Omar could play much, at his age. He was at the point, though, that Casey spent a lot of time on the carpet, trying to convince him it was time to roll from his tummy to his back. But every once in a while the comfy clothes would come off, the dress and heels would go on, and Omar would have an overnight with Grandma. Casey could still see Reuben’s eyes as he took her in, him looking handsome in his suit, his Mexican heritage showing in his dark skin and glossy black hair. He would take her in his arms, telling her they only had to play nice with his colleagues for a few hours and then they could come back home, and he would be happy to take her back out of that dress and heels…

Casey looked out the passenger window at the passing buildings, not wanting Bailey to see whatever was showing in her face. Those days with Reuben were long, long gone.

“Sorry,” Bailey said. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m sure you look pretty when you try.”

Casey gave a little laugh. “Thanks. I think.”

Bailey whapped herself on the forehead. “I’ll shut up now.”

Casey let herself be brought back to the car, and to the bag of make-up on her lap. She pulled out the hair color. “So, you think I can do this myself?”

Bailey wrinkled her nose. “I guess. It won’t look professional.”

“Good enough to fool a man?”

“Probably. But a woman would notice in a second.”

“I guess I’ll just have to chance it.” Casey pulled out the other things, one by one. Lipstick, foundation… “Reading glasses?”

“Yeah, you didn’t mention those, but they’ll add years to your looks. You’ll look ancient.”

“Great. So when you see the transformation you’ll run screaming.”

“You know it.”

Casey found the receipt in the bag and blanched at the total. Bailey had really outdone herself. “I’ll pay you back.”

“Oh, I’m not worried. This is the most exciting thing that’s happened since Terry’s dad discovered a recipe for chocolate bagels.”

“Chocolate… But, Bailey, two sets of scrubs?”

“I couldn’t decide, since you won’t tell me what you’re doing.” She looked at Casey accusingly. “So I had to think…cats, or plain blue. On the one hand, the cats are cute, but maybe not the look you’re going for, if you’re not going to be around kids. On the other hand, the plain blue might make you look like some sort of surgical assistant, and I wasn’t sure you wanted that. So, you know, if you’d give me more information, I wouldn’t have had to buy more than one. So I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I’m asking a lot of you.”

Bailey sulked for a few more seconds before breaking into a grin. “Like I really care, one way or the other. I’m having fun. Usually that just happens at night with the other kids. They’re going to totally want to hear all about this.”

“Yeah, Bailey, about tonight…”

“And really, don’t worry about Sheryl. She’s okay, normally.”

“I hope so. Otherwise I don’t know how you deal with her.”

“She’s had a hard time lately. Her dad lost his job a month ago, because he has Parkinson’s and the company was afraid it would affect his work.”

“Can they do that?”

“They did. And Sheryl’s family doesn’t have the money to hire a lawyer.”

“So they’re stressed.”

“Not only that, but her folks announced last week that they’re moving.”

“And Sheryl doesn’t want to move?”

Bailey gave her an astonished look. “Are you serious? Sheryl grew up here, with the rest of us. She’s a junior. She doesn’t want to go anywhere now.”

“Where are they going?”

“Kansas City. That’s where her mom is from, and they’re going to live with her grandparents until her folks figure out what to do.”

Casey felt sorry for Sheryl. Her parents, too. She knew what it felt like to be separated from all you hold dear. She hadn’t seen her mom or brother in close to a year now, and she hated it. The house she’d shared with Reuben and Omar was on the market, and she hadn’t stepped foot in her dojang in forever. Before, with only Pegasus after her, at least she could go home without landing in jail. Now…

“I invited Sher to come live with us, but her parents didn’t think that was a good idea. I don’t know why not.”

Casey smiled. “Because they’d miss her.”

“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. Huh. But anyway there’s this private school they said they might send her to—there are scholarships, you know—but the only way they’ll even apply is if she stops getting in trouble.” She sighed. “Ever since they told Sheryl last month, she’s been doing stupid things. Cheated on a test, snuck out at night—”

“But don’t you all sneak out at night?”

“—stole some lipstick from the drugstore. She’s a mess. So that’s why she doesn’t want to call the cops on you—she’s been seeing them way to much these days.”

They were nearing the shed, and Bailey held up her hand. “Anything around?”

“Nothing but corn and soybeans. And dust.”

“Like I said, you know, about the excitement?”

Bailey stopped the car beside the shed and Casey opened the passenger door. “You coming in?”

“Wish I could, but that trip to the store ate up all my time for the school day. I have to get home.”

“And if your dad saw you driving away earlier?”

“I’ve got all kinds of stories.”

“Good, I hope he believes you.” Casey opened her mouth to say something else, then shook her head. So now she was advocating kids lying to their parents. Some role model she was. Hitting up kids for money, using their phones and erasing messages, beating up strangers, then preparing to harass them as they lay in their hospital beds…

“You sure you won’t let me help?” Bailey looked at her pleadingly. “I’m afraid of what you’re going to do.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m going to safe places.” At least, they were safe for everyone else, unless she took it into her head to maim them.

“I didn’t mean that,” Bailey said. “I meant with the hair color.”

“Oh.” Casey smiled. “I do think I’ll survive that.”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure your hair will.”

Casey got out of the car and leaned back in, clutching her bags. “Thanks for everything, Bailey. If I don’t see you, I’ll send you the money to pay you back.”

Bailey lunged across the seat, grabbing for Casey’s arm, but was jerked back by her seat belt. “What do you mean if you don’t see me? You’re coming back to the shed tonight. I’m going to get that info for you about Pat.”

Casey turned to look out at the fields. “That’s what I wanted to tell you. I’ll see how things go, okay?”

“You promised.”

“I did?” She did?

“You said you would let me see how you look. And I said I wouldn’t run screaming. Remember?”

Was that a promise?

“I’ll try, Bailey, okay? It’s the most I can say.”

Bailey’s lips pinched together. “Fine. That’s the last I’ll be helping you.”

She gunned the engine and looked back over the seat. Casey jumped out from the door and slammed it shut, watching as Bailey speed-reversed down the lane to the road, where she skidded into the gravel, sending up a plume of dust.

“Way to go,” Death said, standing beside her and coughing as the dust blew their way. “You sure know how to make friends and influence people. It’s a talent you have.”

Casey glared at Death and went into the shed, where someone else was waiting for her.