Chapter Thirteen
"Hey Ronnie!" Roxy
called as Ron came down from his room through the Hair Haven.
"How's that hand holding up?"
"It's fine Rox." Ron said.
"Oh... that's good cuz I don't wanna pop
that bubble of yours, but it's still raining in the shampoo
room."
"Doctor told me to stay off the roof with these
stitches."
"What'm I supposed to do with a hole in the roof,
Ronnie?" Roxy asked. "Sure it's saving me water
with the wash and blow dry, but it looks like a swimming pool up
there when it rains which isn't good, since I don't got
none of them hunky life guards..." Ron shook his head.
"Think Sunset Beach. That Casey Mitchum." Roxy swooned.
"Anyone ever tell you ya kinda look like him?"
Ron laughed. "No, Rox, that's a new one. I have to
admit."
"Yeah, you and him have and amazing assemblance"
"Resemblance?" Ron said raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Ron shook his head. "The roof..." he changed the
subject back. "I know how bad it is so I called a buddy of
mine from Ridgeview. I know his work. He's good."
"How is he on the eyes?"
"Roxy..." Ron said "I'm going to turn and
leave now. He'll be here before the day is out. You don't
have to worry about rain. Everything is under control."
Ron just wanted to get out. He shook his head with a soft laugh,
heading for the door. It swung open.
"Natalie." Ron said. She gave him a quick half smile as
they passed eachother.
"Nattie, you'll never guess it." Roxy said.
"Johnny McBain. No ring."
"Roxy." Natalie sighed. "I am not interested. I am
never going to be interested."
"Oh you're such a party pooper. What's wrong with
Johnny?"
"Nothing. Nothing's wrong with John. I'm not
interested and I can't stay. I just need to get some things
for Jessica. I'm gonna be staying with her for a
while."
"She sick or somethin'?"
"You didn't hear? There was another murder... at the
University. Jessica found the body. She's really a
mess."
"Poor Jessie. This killer's got us all scared out of
our minds."
"I told Mom I'd stay there tonight and..."
"And leave me here alone for the Music Box Killer to
murderize me?"
"You're perfectly safe, Rox" Natalie shook her
head. "I don't think the killer is going to be doing
anything here, Besides, you have Ron living upstairs right across
the hall. You'll be fine."
"Oh, but Ronnie's injured. I think I broke him, making
him fix the roof."
"He's still up on that roof?" Natalie said.
"I thought he patched all the holes." She watched the
guilty look on Roxy's face. "Oh... Rox... you didn't."
The bell on the front door jingled and Al walked in.
"Hi" he said "I'm looking for Ron
Walsh." Roxy stared at him. "I'm... Michael
McBain."
"McBain?" Roxy said rather obviously. "Johnny your
brother?" Al nodded. "He never said he had a
brother."
"Roxy" Natalie shot again. "You just missed him...
a little while ago."
"You don't know where he went, do you?" Al asked.
She shook her head. "It's important?"
"No I just... I stitched him up before and I wanted to hook
him up with some antibiotics. It was a pretty serious injury...
just a precaution."
"Well why don't ya leave it?" Roxy said. "I'll
give it to him."
"Would you?" Al said. "Thanks, that'd be
great." He handed her the bottle. "The instructions are
on there. Thank you."
Roxy watched Michael' leave. "I'd take
either of them McBains" Roxy swooned. Natalie rolled her
eyes. "What?"
"I'm leaving" She began to walk away.
"Goodbye Roxy."
She was all alone for the first time that day, not expecting
anything to happen. She paced by the phone waiting for it to
ring, hoping it would ring, just to give her a sign that it was
still safe. Two murders in the same number of days. It frightened
her to death. It frightened everyone, but especially the girls
who fit the killer's profile.
She didn't want to move from the room, pushing her hair
behind her ears. It was crazy, she thought with a sigh. She was
safe. He couldn't get to her while she was locked in the
house. She took a seat in a chair by the telephone, bringing her
knees up to her chest.
She had no idea. No idea that she wasn't alone. From outside
the window, completely invisible from anyone's view he
stood, watching her every move. His breath grew heavier as the
thought of the action excited him. He would have to wait until
the evening. The red leotard wrapped tightly in his fists as he
stared through the window. She was next.
