Read Online Allhallow's Eve: (Richard Laymon Horror Classic) by Richard Laymon - Free Book Online

you’re really special, and not like a real teacher.’
    ‘I’m not?’ She grinned. ‘I hope the Board of Education doesn’t find out.’
    ‘I mean, you’re a real teacher. You’re the best. But you’re not like the others. You listen to us, and stuff.’
    ‘Well …’ She realized she was blushing. ‘Thank you, Aleshia.’
    ‘Do you have a date?’
    ‘He’s all lined up,’
    ‘Oh good. Who is it?’
    ‘That’ll be my secret.’
    ‘ Oh , Miss Bennett.’
    ‘You’ll find out, tomorrow night.’
    ‘Is it someone I know?’
    ‘That’d be telling.’
    ‘You’re awful!’
    ‘An ogre.’
    ‘Well, I’m just dying to see who it is. I’d better hang up, now. You must have a jillion things to do.’
    ‘Nice talking to you.’
    ‘Okay. Goodnight.’
    ‘Night, Aleshia. See you tomorrow.’
    She hung up, and stared across the kitchen at the pileof Halloween themes. A jillion things to do . Seemed like a jillion, all right, when she had to struggle through pencil-written messes like that turkey Jim Miller turned in.
    She took a sip of wine.
    With a sigh, she returned to the table.

12
     
    Just outside the city limits of Dendron, a town fifteen miles east of Ashburg, the Volvo slowed and swung into the driveway of the Sleepy Hollow Inn.
    Sun eased off the gas. He watched Elmer drive up the L-shaped lane where half a dozen cars were already parked. The Volvo pulled into a space. Sam wanted to stop. He needed to see which room Elmer entered. The risk of being spotted was too great, though, so he drove past the motel.
    He made a U-turn. He sped back to the entrance and pulled in, but Elmer was nowhere in sight. Slowly, Sam drove down the parking area. He counted twelve rooms, each with a bright orange door. Every room had two parking spaces. Elmer’s Volvo was in front of Four, beside a white Datsun.
    Probably, he’d gone into Four.
    Light came through the room’s pale curtains.
    The spaces in front of Six were empty. Sam pulled in, and climbed from his car. A cold wind blew against him. He zipped his jacket, stuffed his hands into its pockets, and strolled up the walkway.
    Slowing to listen at Four, he heard voices and laughter from a television. The sliding windows wereshut. Nothing showed through the curtains. He kept walking.
    He went to the motel office. It was well-lighted and warn. A young woman behind the registration desk looked up at him from a magazine. She took off her glasses and smiled. ‘Hi. How are you tonight?’
    ‘Just fine,’ Sam said. Stepping close to the desk, he caught the odor of her perfume. The same perfume Cynthia wore. Suddenly, he was struck by her beauty: her wide eyes, her full lips and soft chin, the way her hair hung softly to her shoulders. She wore a white pullover that hugged her breasts.
    ‘What can I do for you?’ she asked.
    Sam raised his eyes to her face. She looked amused, one eyebrow high. Was he that obvious about studying her? He blushed.
    ‘I don’t come with the rooms,’ she said.
    Sam laughed. ‘You’re a mind reader.’
    ‘I know a randy man when I see one.’
    ‘I’m randy, but I’m engaged.’ It was a minor lie; he felt engaged, but so far hadn’t asked Cynthia.
    ‘Is the lucky girl with you?’
    ‘Not tonight.’
    ‘Then you’ll probably want a single.’
    He shook his head. ‘I’m not here for a room.’ Reaching into his rear pocket, he took out his billfold. He held it open on the desk. ‘My name’s Sam Wyatt.’
    ‘Is that real gold?’ the woman asked, staring at his shield.
    ‘Gold-plated.’
    ‘Okay if I touch?’
    ‘Sure.’
    Her fingertips stroked the badge. ‘Say, that’s nice.’ She grinned up at him. ‘Are you here to arrest someone?’
    ‘Maybe.’
    ‘Not me, I hope.’
    ‘Not you.’
    ‘That’s good.’ She slipped the badge out of the wallet. ‘It’s a heavy thing.’
    ‘I need to know who’s in number Four.’
    ‘Sure.’ She pinned the badge on her sweater. It dragged down the soft fabric, and