Read Online Silverlighters by Ellem May - Free Book Online

answer.” Beck shrugged helplessly as a police cruiser pulled up in front of us. “It’s not really about the poker, anyway. It’s kind of an unofficial Berrywood rite of passage. Dad says it’s the best way to get to know new faces in town.”
    My father stiffened as a uniformed figure got out of the car, moving toward us.
    “Look – here he is now,” Beck smiled sweetly. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to tell him yourself.”
    “Your dad’s a cop?” I asked as my father glared at me accusingly.
    “Sorry – didn’t I mention it?” Beck said breezily. “You have to admit, it is kind of a buzz kill.”
    She had that right.
    “Dad – this is Ellie,” Beck introduced me as my father got out of the car. “And her dad, Mr. Fitzpatrick. I was just telling him about the poker game tomorrow night.”
    My father held out his hand, glancing down at the shiny badge on his uniform. “Good to meet you police Chief Gordon.”
    Police chief? I raised my eyes at Beck. It just got better and better.
    Beck’s father was just shy of six foot, with short brown hair and a matching moustache, sprinkled with gray. He had a warm smile that reached his eyes as he said hello. “Everyone ‘round here calls me Gordon, or Chief Gordon,” he said as he shook my father’s hand. “So can we expect you tomorrow night, Mr. Fitzpatrick?”
    “It’s James. And I wouldn’t miss it,” my father said.
    “See you at six, then, James. It’s the house at the end of Maine Street. You can’t miss it.”
    As we drove away from the school my father gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw rigid.
    “You could always cancel. Say you’re sick?” I said.
    “And risk offending the chief of police?” My father shook his head.
    “Can I still go to the movies?” I asked hopefully. But I knew this battle was over.
    “You know I’m just worried about your safety?” he grunted.
    I nodded. “Yeah. I know. But what could possibly happen? It’s just a movie. And it is just up the road from Chief Gordon’s house.”
    If only he had said no. Then maybe everything would be different.

9
     
    On Saturday afternoon my father reluctantly dropped me off in town. It felt so good, so normal, to be doing something as ordinary as going to the movies and having pizza.
    Beck and Chris were already waiting out the front.
    “Look, there’s Melissa,” Beck said as a red car pulled into the parking lot. “The guy with her is Mick. He finished school last year. Works with his dad. They’ve been together for – like – months,” she said wistfully.
    I couldn’t help but notice that Chris acted differently with Melissa when she was with Mick. He was less playful. And as we stood in line to buy our tickets, he studied Mick, seeming to shrink in on himself a little.
    A flash suddenly went off somewhere behind me, its glare reflected in the mirror behind the counter I was facing. I immediately stilled, instinctively lowering my head, my eyes darting about to see which direction it had come from.
    That strange smell filled the air again – but this time it was bitter and tainted, and I didn’t feel the prickling sensation on my forehead.
    And it definitely didn’t make me feel safe. It put me on edge.
    “Hey – watch it,” Melissa screeched as the flash went off again, and a thick-set man wearing a dark hood pushed past her, running toward the door and out into the night.
    I stared after him, still feeling uneasy. I didn’t see his face. He was too quick.
    But there was something about the way he moved and the bulk of his body that resonated in me.
    Popcorn went flying as Melissa fell back against me, her arms going up in the air as Mick took off after him, shouting.
    “Forget about it, Mick,” Melissa called as Chris rushed to her side.
    Mick hesitated in the doorway, his face tight with anger, as a tall, thin man with a camera and messy brown hair came over.
    “Are you all right?” the man asked, scratching at his hair.
    “I’m