Death Rhythm Read Free Page A

there.”
    This time the deputy turned around, speaking for the first time. “I’m from Ellingston. What’s her name?”
    Andy tried to remember his mother’s maiden name. “Stone? Mae Stone? That’s what it used to be, anyway.”
    The deputy laughed. “Sounds like you really keep in close touch with your relatives.”
    Andy’s face reddened. “Have you heard of any Stones there?”
    “Yeah, sure. I know who Mae Stone is. She’s your aunt, huh?”
    Andy couldn’t believe it. He leaned forward. Nodded. “Yes, she is.”
    The deputy turned to the sheriff. “You remember Miss Stone, don’t you? She’s the one who had that fire a while back.”
    The sheriff nodded. “Not much of a fire, though. Appears some kids broke into her basement and lit her cat on fire.”
    “Her cat? Was anyone hurt?” Andy asked.
    “Oh, no.” The sheriff’s mouth turned up into a crooked smile. “She apparently smelled the cat’s fur burning right away. She called the fire department, but before they got there, she already had the fire out. She didn’t keep much in her basement, although there was a two-gallon container of gas down there. That cat would’ve been wallpaper if he’d gotten anywhere close to the thing. But I’ll say this; that poor cat is gonna be awfully cold this winter with his fur all burned up like that.”
    Andy imagined the cat, running around in a near empty basement, its fur throwing bright orange flame into the darkness.
    “We’ll take you to Ellingston if you want.”
    Did he really want to meet his aunt that bad? Did she even know he existed? But his car was in no condition to drive, that was for certain, and the garages wouldn’t be open until tomorrow. He couldn’t think of anyplace else to go. He didn’t have enough money for both a motel and a windshield.
    Maybe she’ll be grateful to see me, he thought. Being able to catch up on her sister. Besides, it might be kind of fun, meeting a relative he'd never known.
    Andy nodded. “Let’s go.”
     

 
    TWO
     
    It was dark when they arrived. Their first stop was at the pay phone outside of Al’s Gas and Grocery. A carload of teenagers wearing Ellingston Eagles letter jackets looked them over and turned their car’s stereo down when the patrol car pulled up to the phone. The sheriff walked over to them for a chat, while the deputy looked up Mae Stone’s number.
    It was a small town. Quiet for the most part. No traffic lights. Andy could see where the business district ended, the glow of the street lamps reaching only a few blocks in each direction. Most of the residential area was behind the row of buildings across the street; a bank, a V.F.W., a couple bars, a Ben Franklins’. A white banner fluttering above the gas station announced that Johnny Appleseed Days started next week.
    The deputy gave Andy a dime. Punched the numbers in for him. When Andy heard the phone ring on the other end, his mouth went dry. What was he going to say?
    He heard the carload of teenagers pull away. Watched the sheriff walk back to the patrol car. Saw the clerk inside Al’s stare at him over the glossy pages of a magazine. He smelled fresh gas and felt a bond of sweat form between his hand and the phone. He couldn’t think. What was the point of this? He didn’t know this person. This was ridiculous.
    Someone picked up the phone.
    “Hello?” It was a female’s voice.
    “Is this Mae Stone?”
    “Yes?”
    His mind went blank. He felt the deputy grinning at him only a few feet away. “Hi.” He cleared his throat. Stared at the phone’s coin slot, wishing he could squeeze into it and disappear. “My name is Andrew Byrd, and my mother’s name is Edna Byrd. I believe she’s your sister.”
    “Yes?” she replied.
    He gripped the phone with both hands, his lips pressing lightly into the mouthpiece. “I was in the area and I got into an accident. A deer smashed up my car pretty good.” He took a deep breath. “I was wondering if you could put me up