Page 69 of Massacre Monday

Meet me at the student center for lunch

Amelia

Ryan Cardell?

Me

Yeah

Amelia

Why…

Me

You’ll want to hear what I have to say

Amelia

I’m already here.

Me

Be there in ten

Pulling the collar of my pea coat up around my face, I hustle across campus with a beanie low on my head and dark sunglasses on. Not that it would shield me from hockey fans and puck bunnies but, hopefully, it lets people know I’m not interested in socialization today.

Just outside the glass doors to the Nighthawks Student Center stands perky Amelia, with her long blonde mane blowing in the October wind. Her blue eyes are wide with questions, a little fear, and ready to tear me to pieces if I threaten her. But she’s like one of my own little sisters. I would never.

Unless I need to make her do something to help me.

“Hey,” I say, a little out of breath from my hustle.

“What’s this about?” The high-pitched swishes of her puffy coat sing as she crosses her arms.

One of my fingers wipes my cold nose as I back her into a corner near the path toward the gym. “So, I need you to make sure Pippi goes toRed Night. Here are invitations for you both.” I dig in my pocket to produce two red envelopes and thrust them in her hand, tucking it into the fabric of her jacket.

“Oh… I was going anyway. But of course I’ll bring Pippi. Um, wouldn’t shewantto go with you?”

“I’m not sure. I think she’s mad at me.”

“How couldanyonebe mad at a Cardell man?” Her eyes narrow playfully, and I chuckle a little. “Aiden issolovable andkind. And you’re just a ball of sunshine yourself most days.”

“Henry’s the best of us.”

She snorts a laugh. “Why do this secret rendezvous? You could have just asked me to bring her.”

“Because I need a guarantee she will be there.”

Loosening her posture, she shrugs and gives me a model smile. “I can do that. No problem. Thanks for the invites.”

My hand reaches out to snag her arm, keeping her from wandering off. She looks at it for a moment, then meets my eyes. “One more thing. If youdon’tget her there, I think Levi Joseph will come to understand what his precious little girl has been up to at night.”

If there weren’t layers of clothing covering it, I bet I could see her heart jump out of her chest. Breathlessly, she asks, “W-what do you mean?”

With a stern look, I remain silent for a long pause as she practically panics in my grasp. “You know. And now you know thatIknow.”

“How did you find out?”