Execution of Innocence by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

facedown in a pile of snow deep in the woods?”
    “We’re asking you,” Sharp said. “Not testing you.”
    “But I told you, I think Charlie’s dead. Why don't you ask Mary where she dumped the body.”
    “Because Mary doesn't think Charlie’s dead,” Sharp said.
    “Well, she's lying, you know. Just because she's pretty and everything doesn't mean you should believe what she says.”
    “Do you believe Hannah was in on these ‘double’ murders?” Riles asked quietly. Linda firmly shook her head.
    “No. Hannah loved her brother. I mean, she was his twin. Twins are supposed to love each other. I read that in my psychology class.”
    “When you were in the doughnut shop,” Sharp asked, “did Hannah say anything to indicate she was mad at either her brother or Charlie?”
    “No. Mary was doing all the talking. She said she was going to kill them both.”
    “But you just said she said she was going to kill Charlie,” Sharp said.
    “I told you I think she killed them both. Wasted the bastards.”
    “Now they’re bastards,” Riles said.
    Linda brushed away the contradictions. “All boys are bastards, at least when they’re in high school. All they think about is sex.” She paused. “I know for a fact that Dick had sex with Mary the night of the dance.”
    “How do you know?” Sharp asked.
    “I saw them doing it out in the school parking lot. In the dark and the cold.”
    “You saw Mary and Dick engaged in sexual intercourse?” Sharp asked.
    Linda thought for a moment. “Well, I saw them kissing like they were about to do it. Other kids saw them, too. You can ask them if you don’t believe me.”
    “Why shouldn't we believe you, Linda?” Sharp asked.
    She was annoyed. “Because you keep asking me questions like you think I’m making all this up. I’m not you know. I didn't have to come here. It's not like I'm hoping to be on TV tonight or anything.”
    “Let's try to get back on track,” Sharp said. “You say Charlie was upset with Mary because she went to the school dance with Dick. Is that correct?”
    “I told you, Charlie was pissed. He wanted to kill Mary.”
    “Did he?” Riles mumbled to himself. But Linda jumped.
    “Is she dead, too? Did she commit suicide? Wow, Mary is so dramatic.”
    “Mary is alive and well,” Sharp said dryly. “Hannah is with us as well. Now let's clear up this point. Why was Mary at the dance with Dick instead of with Charlie, her boyfriend?”
    “Because she wanted to do it with Dick?” Linda asked.
    “We're asking you,” Sharp said.
    “Why don't you ask Dick? No, he's dead, you can’t ask him. Why don’t you ask Mary?”
    “We will,” Sharp said. “We’ll talk to her in a minute. But before we say goodbye to you we have to ask what your relationship is—and was—to all these people.”
    “To Dick, too?” Linda asked.
    “Yes,” Sharp said.
    Linda played with her fingers. “They're all my friends. I’d do anything for any of them. I mean that sincerely.”
    “But you think Mary should be gassed if she killed Dick?” Riles asked.
    “Absolutely. Mary’s nice and stuff, but she’s also spoiled. She thinks she’s so pretty and smart. Why, she couldn’t even get into Stanford without doing it with Dick. Everyone knows that, you can ask.”
    “What does Dick have to do with Mary getting into Stanford?” Sharp asked.
    Linda spoke with exaggerated patience. “Dick’s dad can get anyone into Stanford. That’s why Mary went out with Dick.”
    “But you just said you didn’t know why they went out,” Sharp said.
    Linda was indignant. “I did not.”
    Sharp gestured to the recorder. “We have it on tape, Linda.”
    She sulked. “That’s not fair. You use my own words against me. I have the right to remain silent. You cops have violated my constitutional rights. You're worse than the LAPD.”
    Sharp and Riles decided it was time to end the interview. They escorted Linda to the door and made her swear that she would not leave town