The Third Horror by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online Page B

told them matter-of-factly. "The pohce are all over the place. Investigating."
    "You mean Joanna?" Kody asked, swallowing hard.
    "I didn't know her name," Persia replied. "Anyway, your car is waiting if you want it. Ciao." She backed out of the trailer and closed the door.
    Kody turned back to Rob. "That's horrible news," she whispered, feeling a chill down her back as she shut her eyes and saw the camera ramming into Joanna's face again. "I—I can't believe it."
    Rob wrapped his arms around Kody's waist and hugged her tight.
    When Kody arrived at 99 Fear Street the next morning, she knew immediately that things were not back to normal. Two black and white police cars were parked at the bottom of the driveway where the caterers' truck usually stood. There were no production workers scurrying around, preparing for a morning shoot.
    Warily, Kody entered the house and stepped into the living room. To her surprise, the room was filled with people.
    "There you are," Bo called to her. Dressed in his usual gray sweatshirt and baggy chinos, he stood in front of the mantel. He didn't smile. He motioned with his clipboard for Kody to join the others.
    Kody found Rob leaning against the back wall. She walked over to stand beside him. He gave her a solemn nod. "Bo called a meeting," he whispered.

     
    The room was quiet. People whispered to one another or sat staring at Bo. No one smiled or laughed.
    After a few more crew members found places on the floor in front of the couch, Bo cleared his throat loudly and stepped forward to speak.
    "As you all know, we have had a tragic accident," he began.
    Is he staring at me? Kody wondered, leaning close to Rob. It was hard to see Bo's eyes through the blue glasses.
    "Because of the strange nature of Joanna's death," Rob continued, "the local police—"
    He stopped and raised his eyes to the doorway. Kody turned to see a young man with long, dark hair and a dark mustache poke his head into the room. The man carried a red metal toolbox.
    "I'm going down to the basement now, Mr. Montgomery," the man told Bo.
    "Thank you," Bo replied, frowning at the interruption.
    Kody gasped loudly.
    She recognized the man. "Mr. Hankers!" she cried.
    He had already disappeared from the doorway.
    "That man is here to help us with our rat problem," Bo announced.
    "You mean my agent is down there?" Persia joked.
    A few people chuckled. Others murmured unhappily about the rats.
    "Mr. Hankers has assured me the problem will be dealt with quickly," Bo said. "But until he finishes his
     
    work, I'd advise all crew members to take care when going down there."
    "Are you okay?" Rob whispered to Kody, his features tight with concern.
    Kody nodded. "I—I recognized that man," she explained. "He worked for us. We had a rat problem too."
    Rob nodded. "No way I'm going down in the basement," he whispered. "I hate rats."
    Bo continued talking, holding his clipboard down at his side, gesturing with his free hand.
    But Kody didn't hear his words. She was thinking about Mr. Hankers. He had been the man her father had hired to deal with the rat problem two years earlier. How strange to see him again.
    How strange to see Mr. Hankers and Mrs. Nordstrom still working in the house two years later. It was as if time had stood still.
    Aren't they afraid to come here? Kody wondered.
    After all that happened in this house, aren't they afraid to step inside?
    Is Cally still here too?
    Will I find her?
    Kody believed in ghosts. The rest of her family had always teased her about it. But after Cally's death, Kody wanted to believe even more than before.
    She wanted Cally's ghost to be in the house.
    She wanted to find Cally, to have one last talk with her. Kody wanted Cally to know that she had kept her promise.

     
    Are you here, Cally? Kody thought, gazing around the crowded, somber living room.
    Are you here watching us?
    If you are, please let me know.
    Please . . .
    The gentle hand on Kody's shoulder made her jump.

Chapter 14
    "How are