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

myself, give ’em a treat.’
    In Nate’s bedroom, they drank two beers each, and looked at the Playboy . Nate commented on each picture.
    ‘How’d you like to sink your teeth into one of those?’
    ‘Mmmm, look at that hairy mazoo.’
    ‘Oh hon, suck me off.’
    Staring at the photos, listening to Nate, Bill often found himself thinking about Miss Bennett – the way she’d looked on her back, her legs up, her eyes full of tears. He imagined her naked, then felt guilty as if such thoughts were an insult to her.
    When he finally got home, late that afternoon, his mother handed him an envelope. ‘This came for you today,’ she said.
    He looked at the envelope, its neatly typed address. He knew, before opening it, what he would find.
    ‘Aren’t you going to open it?’ asked his mother. She seemed very curious.
    ‘Sure.’ He tore the envelope, and pulled out the invitation. The paper was slick and shadowy – the paper of a cheap photocopy machine. He unfolded it. ‘“Join the fun,”’ he read.
    ‘Let me see.’
    He gave it to her, and she read it, silently mouthing the words. When she finished, she shook her head. ‘Says it’s at the old Sherwood house.’
    ‘Yeah. That’ll be neat.’
    ‘I don’t know, Billy. Don’t know if you oughtta be going there. It’s a bad place, been deserted fifteen years.’
    ‘You don’t believe in ghosts, do you, Mom?’
    ‘It’s a bad place, honey.’

8
     
    The Ashburg Public Library was silent, and smelled like furniture polish. Sam walked softly over its carpet.
    Behind the circulation desk slouched Elmer Cantwell. More like a bullfrog than a toad. His bulging eyes blinked at Sam.
    ‘May I be of assistance?’ Elmer asked in a low voice.
    ‘Is there somewhere private?’
    The big head didn’t move, but the eyes slid from side to side. ‘We seem to be alone. As you may notice, I am presently manning the desk. I can hardly leave my post, can I?’
    ‘Fine.’
    ‘Never fear, I am wearing pants and they are zipped. Would you care to see?’
    ‘No thanks.’
    ‘I take it there have been no complaints?’
    ‘Not recently,’ Sam told him.
    ‘I shouldn’t think so. I have conducted myself with extreme decorum during the past eight months.’
    ‘I’m not here about that.’
    ‘Ah,’ Elmer grinned with mild surprise. ‘Then what brings you into my presence? Certainly you’re not here for a book?’
    ‘That’s right. I’m here looking for Thelma.’
    ‘Who?’
    Sam held up the photo. ‘Thelma Rawls, formerly Boyanski, formerly Connors.’
    ‘Oh, that Thelma. I believe she moved to Milwaukee.’
    ‘I believe she’s back. Where’s she staying, Elmer?’
    ‘I wouldn’t have the vaguest notion.’
    ‘Think again. Obstructing a criminal investigation is a lot more serious than jogging around town with your jollies hanging out.’
    His slick lips drew back. ‘No call to be crude, Officer.’
    ‘You were seen with her. Where’s she staying?’
    ‘You might try the Sunset Lounge. That’s where I found her.’
    ‘When?’
    ‘Shall we say Tuesday night?’
    ‘Did you leave with her?’
    ‘Yes, I believe so.’
    ‘Where did you go?’
    ‘For a drive.’
    ‘Where?’
    ‘To a quiet, secluded place.’ His eyes rolled upward and he smiled. ‘Oh, she was just luscious. Would you care for me to recount our exploits?’
    ‘That won’t be necessary. Just tell me where you left her.’
    ‘Back at the Sunset Lounge. Her car was there, I believe.’
    ‘Okay. Wednesday. You went to Food King with her. You paid for her groceries. Where did you meet her, where did you take her?’
    ‘We met for lunch at the Oakwood Inn. After shopping, I let her off at the inn’s parking lot.’
    ‘Why did you pay for her groceries?’
    ‘Because, Officer, I am a gentleman.’
    ‘Okay. Last night.’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Where did you take her?’
    ‘No place at all. I spent the evening at home with Mother. I’m certain she’ll be pleased to verify