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.