Dead Girl Walking (27 page)

The numbers triggered a memory, but I couldn’t place it. The oddest thing was that on the top of the second page was the name “Leah Ashland,” followed by a series of numbers. I knew from Leah’s driver’s license that her middle name was Ashland, but something about this bothered me.

There was a sound at my door.

Quickly, I tossed the papers back into the journal and hid the journal under a pillow—just as Mr. Montgomery strode into the room.

His scowl was my first clue that he wasn’t happy.

“I heard you’re sick?” he asked suspiciously.

I nodded, coughing and trying to look ill.

“Rather convenient timing, don’t you think?”

“I don’t know—” cough, “—what you—” cough, cough, “—mean.”

“Nasty cough.” He bent over the bed, studying me. “You don’t look sick to me. You look lovely … positively glowing with health.”

“But I feel awful.” I added more coughs and rolled my eyes as if I might pass out.

“Sounds serious. So serious I think we should bring in a doctor.”

Doctor? Oops … not part of my plan.

“I-I just need to—” small cough, “—rest a while. But I’m sorry about the dance. I don’t think I’ll have the energy to go.”

He reached out to touch my chin so that I had to look in his eyes. “Oh, I think you will.”

Afraid and dizzy, I stared at my white knuckles clutching the blankets. My chin throbbed where he had touched me, and when I rubbed the sore spot, my fingers came away with a sticky cream-colored smear. Makeup.

“Ohmygod!” I gasped at his hand’s shadowy aura. “You really are a—”

“A what?” He sounded amused.

“A … a Dark Lifer. You’re wearing makeup to hide your hands.”

I expected him to lie, but he merely shrugged. “So what? It’s your fault, you know. Your glow brought me here. I was enjoying the lecherous body of a security guard at the hospital when I sensed your delicious energy. I became your father to get close to you.”

“Well, get out of him!”

“Not quite yet. When I switched into this body, I tapped into your father’s memories. He’s not a very nice man—which I’m enjoying.”

“You’re not my father!”

“Who would believe you?” he asked. “I can make your life miserable if you don’t obey me. So be a good girl and let me touch your sweet glowing skin. I thought you had stopped glowing, but it’s back again … so irresistibly.”

“Stay away!” I tried to hide behind my pillow. “Don’t touch me!”

“You can’t stop your dear old dad,” he threatened. “I control you.”

I couldn’t get to the door without getting by him—and his cocky smile showed that he knew this. He was playing with me, like a spider spinning a web around a trapped fly. Suddenly he lunged for me. I rolled across my mattress and jumped up—but found myself in a corner. Nowhere to go.

Trembling, I clasped my arms behind my back—and with all my heart—I touched my rainbow bracelet, turning it twice, then once, whispering the lucky chant, then kissing it.

“Come kiss your dear old dad.” The Dark Lifer reached out ominously. “Come closer, sweet Leah. I’m tired of games and can’t wait to—”

But before he could finish, there were two bright flashes. Two translucent figures solidified into a man and woman in business suits. They appeared ordinary, except for the fact that their feet didn’t touch the floor and ropes of silver draped over their arms.

The Dark Disposal Team! Thank God (and grandma).

“Stay Away!” the Dark Lifer posing as Mr. Montgomery shrieked.

“We’ve been searching for you for a long time,” the woman said, smiling.

“Noooo!” The Dark Lifer threw up his hands protectively. But the two figures advanced, casting coils of silver ropes like a lasso, circling Mr. Montgomery’s body in mummy fashion until I saw nothing but silver.

There were more flashes, then the silver ropes fell away. The man and woman vanished. All that was left was Mr. Montgomery—who blinked as if waking up from a long sleep. I couldn’t say exactly why, but I knew that this was the real Mr. Montgomery.

“Leah?” he spoke uncertainly. “What were we saying?”

“Uh … how you’re okay with me staying home tonight, since I’m sick.”

“Is that so?” He stared at me coolly. “That’s not how I recall our conversation.”

I thought he’d be nicer without the Dark Lifer possessing his body, but he seemed even more intimidating.

I started to go into my story about being sick, but he cut me off.

“Save the excuses.” He waved his hand. “Here’s how this is going to play out. You may skip your exercise regime and rest in bed until evening. I will not contact DeHaven unless you continue your delusions about being sick.”

“But I am sick!”

He waved his hand again, slicing off my complaint. “We made a bargain. And if you fail to live up to your part of it, then I will retaliate. You will find yourself confined to your room at DeHaven, where the fashionable clothing is a straitjacket. And Hunter will go to Camp Challenge.”

“You can’t do that to him! You promised.”

“And you gave me a promise, too—which you will fulfill. Do you understand?”

Tugging the blankets close to my chest, my heart thumped a beat of terror. I tried to think of something to say. But there wasn’t a way out—except to surrender.

“All right,” I whispered.

“Excellent.” He smiled with smug satisfaction. “You should wear the blue Lexie gown tonight. It’ll go nicely with your eyes.”

Then he turned and left.

I could have called Dustin or Eli or Alyce, but I didn’t. Not because I didn’t trust them—but because I couldn’t trust myself. If they offered to rescue me, I’d be tempted to let them, abandoning Hunter. Besides, I was too ashamed to tell anyone what I’d promised to do, as if Mr. Montgomery’s demands made me less of a person.

The day lingered on, as slowly and painfully as torture. I alternated staring at the ceiling and watching mindless TV reruns. I only ate a few bites of lunch, then went back to staring at nothing.

Later, Angie came to help me get ready for the Reception. Her dark eyes were surprisingly kind as she set out a blue low-cut gown, silver heels, and a sapphire necklace. “Do you need help getting dressed?”

“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head.

I shouldn’t be here. I should be on my way to the hospital. I was letting everyone down—Mom, Dad, Dustin, Alyce, Eli … and Leah. Especially Leah. I couldn’t save her this time. What would happen to her? Maybe she’d stay with Grammy and work as a Temp Lifer. I could trust my grandmother to take care of her. Unfortunately, I couldn’t trust myself to do anything right.

Always going the wrong way …

But what choice did I have? Dark Lifer Dad may be gone with the DD Team, but the real Mr. Montgomery was still here. He owned this body, paid for through bribes and threats. He’d never ever let me leave.

At least with me here, Hunter would be safe. I’d help Mrs. Montgomery stay sober. And in the future, Leah would score higher than any of her teachers expected in math.

Math …

Numbers, dashes and names tickled my memory.

And I lit up with an insight as explosive as fireworks.

“Ohmygod!” I cried out, sitting up in bed. “That’s it!”

“What’s it, Leah?” Angie immediately rushed to my side. “Are you all right?”

“Better than all right,” I said with a nervous giggle.

I’m sure she thought I was crazy, but I’d never been saner.

Watch out Mr. Montgomery
, I thought.
Amber Borden is taking you down
.

I did
not
put on makeup, fix my hair or slip into that amazingly gorgeous blue Lexie designer gown.

What I did do was call Dustin and fill him in. He checked a few things for me online, confirming my suspicions. Then I turned on the computer scanner and made some highly important copies, which I printed out.

After that I looked for Luis, but couldn’t find him. So I asked Angie instead, and was surprised, pleased, and relieved when she agreed to be a messenger for me.

Then I was ready. Trembling with nerves, I slipped on casual jeans and a plain T-shirt and went to face my enemy.

My smile faded with each step toward Mr. Montgomery. I second-thought and mentally double-checked what I planned to say. Suddenly there were lots of holes in my scheme. What if I was wrong? But no … I couldn’t let myself think negatively. Positive thoughts brought positive outcomes.

My life—and Leah’s—counted on this.

“Leah, why aren’t you dressed?” Mr. Montgomery was looking in a mirror, straightening his striped gray tie.

“Uh … I … um …”

“Well, what is it? I hope you’re not still pretending to be sick.”

“No … it’s not that.”

He tapped his fingers on the dresser. “Then hurry to your room and get ready.”

I lifted my shoulders and exhaled. “I-I’m not going,” I said.

“Leah, Leah … ” He sighed wearily. “We’ve already been through this.”

“No we haven’t.”

“Don’t cross me,” he warned. “You know what I’m capable of doing.”

“But you have no idea what I could do to you.” I matched the warning in his tone with one of my own. “I know about your payoffs to Congressman Donatello.”

“What?” He chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It’s true, and you know it.”

“You have no grasp of my complicated business dealings.”

“I do,” I said firmly, feet planted, gaze steady, hands tight around the papers.

“This is not amusing.”

“I wasn’t amused either when I found my name on your papers.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m totally serious—and I have the documents to prove it.” I held out the papers. “These are proof that you made excessive donations to the Congressman in an account under my name: Leah Ashland. My first and middle name. There’s also an account under Hunter’s first and middle name, too.”

“My business is not your concern.” He reached out for the papers but I jumped back.

“I checked the numbers and contribution laws, and it’s obvious you’ve contributed more than the legal limit to the congressman’s accounts. Coincidentally, the payoffs happened when a bill came up for a vote on regulating radio stations’ song selection—a bill that Congressman Donatello ended up voting down.”

His jaw dropped, but then snapped shut and tightened. His gaze narrowed at me and his hands knotted to fists. “Give me those papers.”

“If you insist.” I shrugged and handed them over.

His grabbed them—then ripped them up, white shreds trailing to the carpet. “So you think you’re so smart?” he sneered. “Stupid little girl—you should know better than to defy me. You’ll never win. And after the party tonight, I’ll deal with you.”

“No, you won’t,” I said simply. Instead of being afraid, I felt more powerful than ever. He wasn’t a Dark Lifer. He was only human, and not nearly as smart as he thought. “You will never touch me or order me around again.”

“You don’t issue the orders here.”

Instead of arguing, I asked, “Do you really think I’d just hand over the papers?”

“What?” He looked down at the floor, then back at me.

“You ripped up a copy. The original papers are safe with a friend—who is very politically connected and will post the information on blogs around the world unless I tell him not to.”

“You’re lying,” he accused.

“Do you really want to find out?”

His blustering anger made him red in his face, and if I hadn’t stepped back I’m sure he would have hit me. Instead, he took a deep breath, and seemed to consider his options. His frown deepened.

“Leah, I’m very hurt by your behavior,” he said sadly. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost believe he was sincerely hurt. “But if you strongly don’t want to go out tonight, I won’t force you. Since I’m doing what you want, will you give me the original papers?”

“I don’t have them. My friend does.”

“Ah … the friend.” He regarded me cautiously. “Well … fine. But don’t do anything rash. I’m sure we can come to an agreement. You wouldn’t want to cause any embarrassment for your family.”

“That’s right,” I agreed. “I care about both of my families.”

“Both?” He was puzzled.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“There are a lot of things I don’t understand—about these last few days and especially you. You’ve changed so much you seem like you’re a completely different person.” His shoulders slumped. “So, what should I do about tonight?”

“Surprise everyone,” I said with heavy sarcasm. “Take your wife.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out Leah’s car keys.

Then I left the Montgomery house.

Forever … I hoped.

The hospital room was just as I remembered—except this time I wasn’t alone. Dustin, Alyce and Eli closed around me for support while I knelt by the bed where my real body slept peacefully.

I wasn’t sure how Dustin got permission for all of us to visit. I was just grateful for his help—especially when a few hours earlier he’d met Angie outside the Montgomery house to pick up the highly explosive papers.

When I met with him and the others in the waiting room, Dustin said he was glad to see me but sort of disappointed that my plan had worked so well.

“I was ready to blast the Montgomery papers across blogs everywhere,” he added. “But I’d rather have you than fame.”

I smiled and squeezed his hand, grateful to have loyal friends who rushed in to help with unconditional support. I’d even found support from an unexpected source. When I’d arrived at the hospital, Security Guard Karl came over with a smile.

“I’m not sure why, but I have an overwhelming urge to say thank you.” His hands no longer misted with dark grayness. “So, thank you.” Then he escorted us through the “No Admittance” doors and up to Room 311.

“It’s almost six,” Alyce announced, pointing to the wall clock.

“Just three minutes and twenty-two seconds.” Eli came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “Just enough time for this …”

He pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine. They were soft and sweet, with a taste of nutty humor. “That was good-bye to Leah,” he said.

“She doesn’t know what she’s missing,” I whispered. “Your brother could learn from you.”

Eli laughed. “Now that’s a first.”

“The first of many,” I said with promise.

Then he glanced at the clock. “Just one minute.”

Tensing, I stared down at the hospital bed where my real body slept peacefully, breathing on her own without any machines. I took my own hand and thought of all the things people said at the memorial. Some of it was crap, of course, but most of it genuine. I never realized I had that many friends, but I guess I did. No matter who I looked like, I would be okay.

“Something’s happening,” Alyce cried out, sounding a little afraid.