Grim Reaper 01 - Embrace the Grim Reaper

with the chief. But if it looks like he’s around, we’ll split. And you’ll need to talk to her yourself.”
    He looked uncertain.
    “You can do it. If you’re scared, you just act like you’re brave.”
    He smiled weakly. “I can try.”
    “Good. Okay, here we go. And here’s how we should do it.”
    After listening to her plan, Eric went out the back door, making an unnecessary trip to the garage in the hopes it would scare out any cops waiting for him. He then continued down the alley. Casey watched from the back window, but after a few minutes was convinced no one was following.
    She eased out the door and followed the shadows through the yard and into the alley, where she broke into a jog. She caught up with Eric at the second intersection, and tossed her shirt and the washcloth into a Dumpster.
    He glanced at her and she nodded. They were in the clear. For the moment.
    It didn’t take long to get to Yvonne’s house. The windows were dark. No movement, no lights.
    Eric’s light hair shone too brightly in the dim streetlight, and Casey gestured for him to put his hat on. He made a face. “It’s itchy.”
    Casey didn’t respond, and he slid the cap over his hair.
    The front of the house was hidden from where Casey stood. “Does Yvonne’s husband park his car in the garage or on the street?”
    “I don’t know. I think they only have a single-car garage, so his might be in the driveway.”
    Casey eased closer to the back yard of Yvonne’s house. She picked up a stick and tossed it into the fenced-off area, ducking behind a tree. When there was no response, she found another stick, a bigger one this time, and threw it closer to the house. No dogs. No movement. No lights.
    “Well?” Eric said. “What now?”
    Casey didn’t answer. The garage was attached to the near side of the house. Sticking to the shadows, she walked along the side of the garage, stopping before she got to the front. She listened, hearing nothing but Eric following too closely, gravel crunching under his feet. Lowering herself into a squat, she peered around the front of the garage, her eyes at knee level.
    The driveway was empty, as was the curb in front of the house.
    Gesturing to Eric to stay, she eased around the corner, glad to see a small window in the garage door. She peeked in. It was too dark to see anything except what looked like a sedan-sized vehicle.
    She went back to the corner. “You know what kind of car Yvonne’s husband drives?”
    “Not a car. A truck. Don’t know the kind.”
    She nodded. “He’s not home.”
    “So let’s go.”
    She held up a hand. “This is all you, Eric. She knows I’m here, we might as well call the cops ourselves.”
    He nodded, his face tightening. “And what am I asking her, exactly?”
    “What she can tell you about the person who died because of the dryer.”
    He took a deep breath and let it out.
    “You don’t have to do this,” Casey said.
    “Yes. I do.” He wasn’t looking at her now, but at the door of the house. Without another word he walked across the driveway and rang the doorbell, peering in the window beside the door. He jumped back, the sound of barking filling the night.
    A face appeared briefly at the door, and the door opened. “You stay!” Yvonne said, pointing back toward the house. She scooted out the door, closing it behind her. The dogs barked and whined, their claws making high-pitched squeals on the door.
    Casey stayed in the shadow of the garage, trying to see without being seen. Even in the dim light she could read the anxiety on Yvonne’s face. Eric was gesturing, talking. Casey couldn’t make out his words, except for Ellen’s name, repeated several times.
    “No!” Yvonne finally said, her voice shrill. “No. No, no, no.”
    Eric stumbled backward, Yvonne’s hands out as if she’d pushed him.
    “I can’t tell you. I won’t.” She looked around, as if expecting someone to be in the driveway.
    Casey pulled her head back, behind the garage.
    “Leave it alone, Eric,” Yvonne said. “Please. Ellen wouldn’t… You have to. It’s not… Just go away !“ She broke off with a sob, and the door opened, then slammed.
    Eric pounded on the door. “Yvonne! Yvonne, please! I need your help!”
    There was no response, except for the high-pitched barking of the dogs. Eric took one more look at the two heads appearing at the door’s window, and lurched back behind the garage. “It’s no use, Casey. I’m sorry.”
    Casey led him