Read Online Driver's Dead by Peter Lerangis - Free Book Online Page A

lesson, and it was—it was phenomenal. I felt so confident, so … cared for.” Kirsten sniffed back her tears. “We went to a movie and dinner, and then—and then we ended up here.”
    Maria’s eyes widened. “You came to the park with Rob last night?”
    â€œWe didn’t—oh, Maria, he tried to— you know, and I told him off. Stomped away. Left him here.”
    â€œBut he was alive … right?”
    â€œOf course he was alive! You didn’t think I —”
    â€œNo! No, Kirsten. Go on.”
    â€œI walked home. That was it. Until now.”
    Maria looked away and let out a huge sigh.
    â€œWhat should I do?” Kirsten continued. “Call the police?”
    â€œNo. I don’t think so.”
    â€œBut it’s my fault, Maria. I was here. I’m the only one who knows that!”
    â€œYou didn’t kill him,” Maria said levelly. “Gwen did. That seems clear to me.”
    Kirsten looked at the grass. “I … I guess.”
    â€œYou’d be a fool to tell the police you were at the park with Rob. They’ll just suspect you and not Gwen.”
    â€œBut why, Maria? Why would she do such a thing?”
    Maria shook her head. “Gwen’s crazy, Kirsten. She’s been that way for months.”
    â€œI want to kill her!” The words escaped Kirsten’s mouth before she could stop them. But she had no desire to take them back.
    â€œShh, don’t say that.”
    â€œOkay. Does New York have the death penalty?”
    â€œNope.”
    â€œAll right, then I want to get her locked up for life.” Kirsten picked herself up and looked at the accident scene. One of the police cars was still there . “I am going to talk to the police. I’ll tell them everything Gwen said.”
    â€œUh, guess again, Kirsten.” Maria stood up next to her. “Look, I know you’re upset, but think straight. Gwen gave you your keys, remember? She said Rob had them. How’s that going to look? You’re the one that has to worry about the police. If Gwen goes to them, you’re in trouble.”
    Kirsten stared at her best friend. Maria’s eyes were still teary, but firm as stone. “Kirsten, like it or not, you are Suspect Number One.”

Chapter 12
    K IRSTEN FELT HER WHOLE body go slack. Suspect Number One. Great. She’d live the rest of her life unable to tell the truth. Feeling tormented by a murder she didn’t commit.
    The pounding of footsteps made her and Maria look toward the street. Virgil was approaching them, red-faced and out of breath.
    â€œI lost her,” he said. “She can really fly.”
    The three of them stood there, not knowing what to say next. Kirsten thought of telling Virgil what she’d just explained, but Maria was looking at her with a definite No in her eyes.
    This was best kept a very small secret. For as long as possible.
    Until Gwen blabbed it to The New York Times.
    Schoolmates were shuffling past them now, arms around each other’s shoulders, sniffling, crying, speaking in hushed voices.
    â€œMaybe we should go,” Maria suggested.
    â€œYeah.” Virgil put an arm around Maria, and she put hers around Kirsten.
    Together they walked toward the school.
    The lobby felt like a funeral home. Students who had missed or avoided the park soon found out what had happened. A few ran out the door. Some were weeping. Others clearly wanted to go to the park and see what they’d missed.
    A P.A. announcement instructed all students to go to homeroom. Then the classes would proceed to the auditorium for an assembly.
    Kirsten and Maria were in different homerooms, but they managed to sit together in the auditorium. The place was practically silent. Like a movie theater immediately after a sad film has ended.
    Only this was no movie.
    â€œBy now we all know about the tragic accident that took the life of Robert Maxson,” began the