Twisted (38 page)

“No. Of course not.” Diana's frown deepened as she watched Jay walk away. She wished there was some way she could stop him from meeting Heather, but she didn't want to let him know that she was worried.

“What's the matter, Di?” Cindy saw Diana's frown. “Is there something wrong?”

“Not yet, but there might be. Jay's meeting Heather at the fountain.”

“Oh, oh.” Cindy looked worried. “Why is he meeting
her?”

“She told him she had something important to discuss with him. I don't think she told him what it was.”

Cindy rolled her eyes. “My brother's an idiot! He never should have agreed to meet her!”

“Time out.” Paul glanced from Cindy to Diana and then back again. “You're both upset, and I don't know why. What's going on, anyway?”

Diana looked embarrassed, but Cindy turned to Paul with fire in her eyes. “Heather's a bitch! She used to be Jay's girlfriend, but she dumped him for another guy. And now she's dumped the other guy. Heather's going to pull every dirty trick in the book to try to get Jay back.”

“Oh. I get it.” Paul slipped his arm around Cindy's shoulders. “And you're hoping that Jay will be smart enough to steer clear. Is that right?”

Cindy nodded, but she still looked worried. “When it comes to women, Jay's not exactly known for his brain power. I just wish I knew what was happening at the fountain.”

“That's easy.” Paul patted his video camera. “I've got a long lens I can use. Do you want me to get the whole thing on tape?”

“No! Don't do that!” Diana looked shocked.

“Why not?” Cindy began to grin. “It would serve Heather right!”

Diana shook her head and looked very serious. “That's true. I'd tell you to go for it if Heather was the only one involved. But it really wouldn't be fair to Jay. He's got to handle this on his own, without any interference from us.”

“But I thought you liked him.” Cindy was puzzled. “Don't you want to save him from Heather?”

“Of course I do! But spying on him isn't the answer. It would mean that I don't trust Jay to do the right thing, all by himself. And I do trust him.”

Paul lifted his eyebrows, and nodded. Then he turned to Cindy with a smile. “I think Diana's absolutely right. And I also think she's falling in love with your brother.”

“Really?” Cindy looked delighted. “But how can you tell that?”

“Diana trusts him. You heard her say that. And she won't stoop to using dirty tricks to trap him. That means she really cares about him. Is that right, Diana?”

Diana could feel herself blushing. Her face felt hot, and she knew her cheeks were turning bright pink. “It's true. I
do
care about Jay. But falling in love . . . well . . . I'm just not sure about that.”

“Yet,” Cindy prompted her, “you're not sure about that
yet!
But you will be before we get out of here. I'm willing to bet on that.”

Paul laughed, and gave Cindy a little hug. “You're just like Yente in
Fiddler on the Roof.”

“I remember her.” Cindy looked pleased. “Yente was the matchmaker.”

“That's right. And that's exactly what you are, Cynthia Swanson!”

Cindy laughed as Paul hugged her, but Diana's mouth dropped open in shock. Cindy hated the name, Cynthia. She'd threatened to kill anyone who called her that, but she didn't seem to be a bit angry with Paul.

Right then and there, Diana decided to play matchmaker, too. Cindy might not know it, but she was falling in love with Paul. And people who were falling in love needed time alone. She stood up and grinned at them. “I'll be back in a couple of minutes. I need to go get my sweater.”

“You're cold?” Cindy looked concerned. “It's got to be eighty degrees in here. Are you coming down with the flu, or something awful like that?”

“No. I'm just a little chilly, that's all.”

“We'd better go with you.” Paul started to get to his feet. “I promised Jay we'd take care of you.”

“Don't bother. I'm just going to run to the furniture store. I left my sweater in there. You two go on with what you were doing.”

Diana turned and headed down the walkway. When she got about halfway to the furniture store, she turned to look back. She'd done a good job as a matchmaker. Paul and Cindy were sitting close together on the bench, his arm around her shoulders, and her head nestled close to his chest.

It didn't take long to get her sweater, but Diana purposely took another few minutes, walking around the furniture store, looking at the various displays. They were all arranged like little rooms with walls that were open on one side. She stopped by a display of a child's room, and began to smile. The whole room had a dinosaur theme. The bedspreads on the bunk beds were printed with frolicking dinosaurs, and so were the curtains. The rug had a giant dinosaur woven into its center, and the toy box was even shaped like a dinosaur.

Diana smiled as she dreamed of tucking two little boys in bed, kissing them good night, and handing each one a dinosaur pillow to cuddle. She knew she wanted to have children someday, and she smiled even wider as she remembered what Cindy had told her. Jay was very good with children, and he'd done volunteer work at the campus children's center all last summer. If she married Jay, their children would have a wonderful father.

Diana blinked and shook her head. She was definitely getting ahead of herself. Here she was, thinking about marrying Jay and having children, and he was at the fountain with Heather!

As Diana turned to leave the furniture store, she wondered if Cindy's first instinct had been right. Diana had held fast to her principles when she'd refused to let Paul spy on Jay and Heather with his video camera. But right now, she really wished she knew exactly what was happening at the fountain!

T
hey were all sitting around the Christmas tree, and Paul's video camera was on. He'd brought over a dozen one-hour tapes with him, enough to record anything interesting that might happen. He'd told them the station might be interested in knowing what it was like to be snowbound at the mall, and they'd agreed to let him tape their activities whenever he wanted. Everyone was very excited about the possibility of selling it to the station as a news feature. The station paid good money for features, and they could divide the profits.

“I think we should call it, ‘Snowbound Seven.' ” Paul began to smile. “It's a catchy title.”

Cindy turned to Paul with a frown. “It's catchy, but it's wrong. How can we call it ‘Snowbound Seven' if there's eight of us?”

“That's true. But only seven of you will be on tape. I'll be behind the camera.”

Diana smiled as Jay put his arm around her shoulders. He hadn't mentioned anything about his meeting with Heather, but it was obvious that her plan to win him back hadn't worked. Jay was here, right by her side. And Heather was sitting between Larry and Hal.

“I'm ready.” Hal grinned at Paul. “What do you want us to do first?”

Paul thought for a moment. “The first thing I need is a shot they can use for a bumper card.”

“A what?” Hal looked puzzled.

“A bumper card is a shot they use to advertise the show. Haven't you ever watched a movie on television?”

“Sure.” Hal nodded.

“There's a shot they use, halfway through the commercials to remind you they're going back to the movie. Sometimes it's a still from the movie and there's a voice-over that says something like,
The Friday night movie will continue, right after these important messages.
That's the bumper card.”

“I've seen it.” Hal nodded again. “When it comes on, it means you've got time to fix popcorn before the movie actually starts. Why do they use those, anyway?”

Paul laughed. “Federal regulations allow only so many minutes of commercials in one stretch. But if the station puts on a bumper card, it counts the same as going back to the movie. It breaks up the string of commercials, and the station can run another batch.”

“And more commercials mean more money?”

“Exactly!” Paul gave Hal an approving look. “The stations don't exist to entertain you. They're a business, just like any other business. The movie, itself, doesn't bring them any profit. They make their money from selling air time to advertisers, and they want to run as many commercials as they can.”

Hal nodded. “I get it. And I understand why we need a bumper card. What kind of shot do you want to use?”

“I need something that establishes how empty the mall is, and how alone you are, way out here. Any suggestions?”

“I've got one.” Cindy looked eager. “How about if everyone grabs one of those presents and sits under the tree, looking sad? You could tape us from a long way back to show that there's nobody here except us.”

Paul nodded. “That's great, Cindy! I want everyone to pick up a package. Hold it on your lap, and sit very close, huddled together, as if you're lonely. Then give me your best forlorn look . . . like this.”

Diana stared as Paul put on a forlorn face. He looked just like a sad-eyed basset hound. Cindy was staring at him with open admiration, and Diana almost laughed out loud. Cindy was fascinated with Paul, and Paul seemed to be just as fascinated by her.

“Come on, Diana.” Jay handed her a package and took one himself. Then he put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. “Now look sad.”

Diana did her best to look forlorn, but her eyes were sparkling and her heart was thudding a million miles a minute.

She glanced over at Heather, and felt like grinning as she caught Heather's angry stare. Heather was fuming. Diana lowered her eyes and looked as sad as possible, under the circumstances. Heather had tried to get Jay back, and Heather had failed. Everyone here could plainly see that Jay preferred her instead.

 

He watched carefully as the packages were taken. And he almost smiled as Santa's present, the one wrapped in green paper, was chosen. No one was looking at the tags right now. They were too busy following the instructions, scrunching together in a group and looking forlorn. It would have been inappropriate to laugh, even though his heart was singing with joy.

This turn of events was a pure delight. Not only would he exact his revenge, he'd have a record of it for the rest of his life. He could watch the tape over and over, and relive these wonderful memories.

It was a very good shot. Everyone looked very sad. And it would have made an excellent bumper card. Of course the station wouldn't need a bumper card because this tape would never be aired. The station wouldn't even know that it existed. Santa would make sure of that.

A warm glow spread through his body as the video camera whirred away. Too bad he couldn't wear his red velvet suit. It would make this moment even more enjoyable. But taking a risk like that would be very foolish, and Santa was much too clever to expose his identity at this point in the game. He was one of them now, and he'd continue to blend into their group until the very end. Only then would he reveal his secret, and bask in the glory of his success.

 

“Cut!” Paul was smiling as he put down his camera. “Okay, everybody. You can put your packages back now.”

Diana nodded, and picked up her package to hand it to Jay. It was the first time she'd ever actually looked at it, and she frowned slightly as she noticed that it was wrapped in green foil paper. She didn't remember any rolls of green foil paper in the wrapping booth. And she was sure they hadn't used any star-shaped bows. Then she noticed the tag, and her frown deepened. It was a different type than the tags they'd used.

“What's the matter?” Jay looked concerned.

“Probably nothing, but . . . I don't think we wrapped this package.”

Jay took the present, and flipped open the tag. “This is strange. It says,
To Dave. From Santa.”

“To me?” Dave leaned over, and grabbed the package. “I'm going to open it!”

Suddenly Diana remembered Sue's package, and the weird message inside. Sue had opened it. And now Sue was dead. She shivered, and turned to Jay with fear in her eyes.

“No. You'd better not.” Even though Diana didn't say anything, Jay seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. He reached out for the package, but Dave pulled it back.

“Oh, no, you don't. It's for me. You saw the tag. My name's on this present.”

“But you don't know if this present's for you.” Jay tried reasoning with him. “There's a million other guys out there named Dave.”

“But I'm the only one here right now. It's fate. And I'm going to open it.”

As Dave tore off the paper, Diana noticed that Paul was taping again. She held her breath as Dave lifted the lid on the white box inside.

“Oh, oh! I guess I've been a bad boy this year. Santa gave me an empty box.”

“No, he didn't.” Heather reached inside the box and picked up a piece of paper. “Santa left you a note. Shall I read it?”

Paul nodded, and Heather smiled at the camera before she began to read. “It says,
Better not pout; I'm telling you why: Santa Claus is comin' to town.”

“Weird!” Dave took the piece of paper, and glanced down at it. “Heather's right. That's what it says. Okay, Santa . . . even though I'm stuck out here with a bunch of crazy friends who leave me empty boxes with crazy notes inside, I promise that I won't pout.”

“Any idea who left you that note?” Paul prompted from behind the camera.

“Maybe.” Dave turned to look at Heather. “I seem to remember that a certain young lady, who shall forever remain nameless, accused me of pouting when she turned down my invitation to our high school prom.”

Heather's eyes widened in surprise. And then she shook her head. “You're talking about me! But I don't remember saying that.”

“You did. And it obviously left a deep psychological scar. I still remember every word you said.”

Jay laughed at the shocked expression on Heather's face. “Don't leave us hanging, Dave. Tell us!”

“She said,
Sorry, but I'm waiting for Steve Rawlins to ask me.”

“Well, I was!” Heather gave a deep sigh. “And he asked me the very next day. I did you a favor, Dave. If I'd promised to go to the prom with you, I would've just had to cancel.”

Dave nodded. “Right. It was pretty obvious that Heather thought Steve was a more prestigious date than I was.”

Heather began to look very uncomfortable as everyone turned to stare at her. “It wasn't that. You just don't understand. Steve was the class president, and he got to pose for all sorts of pictures. If I'd gone with you, nobody would have paid any attention to me.”

“Spoken like a true social climber.” Dave turned to the rest of the group. “Do you want to know what else she said?”

Diana shook her head. It was pretty obvious that Dave had an axe to grind. “No, that's enough. That happened a long time ago, Dave. We really don't want to hear any more.”

“Oh, but I want to tell you.” Dave grinned, but it wasn't a nice grin. “Heather said,
Stop pouting, Dave. It makes you look even uglier.”

“Well . . . it did make you look uglier!” Heather began to frown. “Really, Dave. I don't know why you're bringing all this up now. I certainly didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I was just being honest.”

Dave licked his finger and chalked an imaginary mark in the air. “That's one, Heather. And this present's the second one. What are you trying to do? Permanently damage my psyche?”

“Of course not! You're just mad at me because I wouldn't kiss you last night. That's why you're being mean. And you're dead wrong about that stupid present. I didn't give it to you!”

Dave opened his mouth to argue, but Diana spoke up. “I believe you, Heather. I'm sure you didn't give Dave that present.”

“You are?” Heather turned to her in surprise. “Why?”

Diana thought fast. She didn't want to embarrass Heather by telling everyone the real reason. If Heather had wanted to say something to Dave, she wouldn't have bothered writing a note, putting it in a box, and wrapping it up with his name on it. Heather was much more direct. She would have come right out and said it to his face.

“It's simple.” Diana grinned as she thought of a perfect way to phrase her answer. “It's just not your style to be sneaky.”

Heather nodded. “That's absolutely right. I'm glad
somebody
around here knows that!”

“I agree.” Jay spoke up. “There's no way Heather could have wrapped that package.”

Heather turned to Jay with a million-watt smile. “I'm so glad you believe in me, Jay.”

“That really doesn't have anything to do with it.”Jay didn't smile back. “But I know you didn't wrap that package.”

“How do you know that?” Cindy looked doubtful.

“Just look at her nails.” Jay reached out and grabbed Heather's hand, holding it up so everyone could see her long acrylic nails. “I got a good look at that package. It was wrapped in foil, the kind that tears very easily. If Heather had tried to wrap it, there would have been rips all over the paper.”

Heather was clearly miffed as she snatched her hand back. There was fire in her eyes as she turned to Diana and pointed. “She could have done it. She's got short nails. And so does your baby sister.”

Diana opened her mouth to protest her innocence. Heather was a bitch. She'd just defended Heather, and now Heather was trying to shift the blame to her! But before Diana could say anything, Jay squeezed her hand.

“They didn't do it, either.” Jay shook his head. “Cindy was with Paul all day. And Diana was with me.”

“Diana wasn't with you all the time.” Heather gave a smug little smile. “You were with me at the fountain . . . remember?”

“Of course I remember. It's pretty hard to forget all the nasty lies you tried to make me believe about Diana. But we don't need to go over that again. I already told you how I feel.”

Heather looked slightly embarrassed, but she plunged ahead anyway. “Okay, but Diana wasn't with you then. And that's when she could have wrapped that package.”

“Wrong.” Cindy spoke up. “Diana was with us.”

Diana turned to Cindy in surprise. She hadn't been with them the whole time. She'd deliberately spent at least thirty minutes in the furniture store, so that Paul and Cindy could be alone.

“Let's just forget it, okay?” Dave looked contrite. “I'm sorry, Heather. I didn't mean to give you a hard time. I guess I'm just getting jumpy, cooped up out here.”

Heather nodded. “That's okay, Dave. And I'm sorry, too, for hurting your feelings.”

There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at Heather in surprise. Was it possible that being snowbound was having a positive effect on her personality?

“Well, don't look at me like I'm crazy!” Heather sighed, and tossed her hair back over her shoulder. “I just decided I'd try to be nice until we get out of here. Otherwise, somebody's probably going to kill me.”

“We appreciate your supreme effort, Heather.” Dave started to laugh, and one by one, they all joined in. Heather even giggled, and she didn't seem at all upset that the joke was on her.

When the laughter had died down, Jay held up his hands for silence. “Dave was right. We're all getting a little jumpy. I think we need some recreation. Any suggestions?”

“Too bad we can't watch a good movie,” Diana spoke up. “It might make us forget all about the fact that we're snowbound. The multi-plex was going to show that new Tom Cruise film, tonight.”