R. Stine - Red Rain

“The victim was burned,” Pinto said. “Like with a blowtorch. Very similar. Only in the boy’s case, his head was burned completely off. We found his skull-no skin on it or anything. We found his skull all scorched. . under his bed.”

Mark stood up. He took a deep breath and held it, fighting down his nausea.

“Horrible,” he muttered. “Like a fucking horror movie.”

The two cops nodded. Pinto spoke first. “So, since the murders were similar, and since your sons had the spitting fight with the victim on the morning of his death, we just thought it wouldn’t hurt to talk to them for a few minutes. With your permission, of course.”

“But tell me again. You certainly don’t suspect-” Mark started.

Pinto waved a hand. “Of course not. No kid could do what we’ve seen in these murders. Pavano and I, we’re just trying everything.”

“You know, I’ve thought a lot about the murder in my driveway,” Mark said, sitting up straight, leaning his head against the back of the desk chair. “I mean, it’s hard to stop thinking about it.”

“That’s for sure,” Pinto replied.

“I mean, it’s not like you guys leave and I just turn it off. I think about it day and night.”

“And?” Pinto said, showing a little impatience.

“Well, I just think you’re looking in all the wrong places. I mean, coming here? That’s a waste of your time. These murders. . They’re so violent. And nothing like this has happened in Sag Harbor before, right? So you need to check out new arrivals. Find someone who’s moved here very recently, someone with a violent past. The summer people haven’t arrived yet. That should make your job easier. I’m not a cop, but I’d be checking mental hospitals and-”

“Thanks for your advice. But you have to understand you’re our number one suspect,” Pavano blurted out.

Mark felt his face grow hot. He saw Pinto flash an annoyed scowl at his partner.

“A guy comes to your house with bad news,” Pavano said, ignoring Pinto’s displeasure, “he ends up dead in your driveway. A kid gets into a fight with your boys. The kid ends up dead in his room.”

Mark wished they wouldn’t concentrate their stares on him like that. Yes, he could feel he was blushing. But blushing could mean all kinds of things. He’d written a paper on it. Why was he thinking about that paper now?

“I can testify that Mark isn’t a murderer.”

The voice made Mark jump. Lea came floating barefoot into the office, in a sleeveless blue top and blue short shorts. Her hair fell loosely around her face.

Mark thought she looked beautiful, except for her eyes, which were red and tired from staring into the laptop screen all day.

The two officers climbed slowly to their feet. They all nodded at each other solemnly.

“Mark can’t even kill a lobster,” Lea said. “He’s so squeamish, I have to drop them in the pot. He looks the other way. Really.”

Pinto studied Mark. “I’m allergic to shellfish,” he said.

“Too bad,” Lea offered.

“Mrs. Sutton, you were away when the murder occurred in your driveway,” Pavano said.

“I was in the city. I had some meetings. But I hurried home. I knew the kids would be upset.”

“They’ve been very edgy and out of sorts,” Mark added. “I’ve tried to get them to talk about it, but. .”

Pinto turned back to Lea. “The twin boys were out in the front yard when the victim was murdered. Have they said anything to indicate-”

“That they saw anything?” Lea interrupted. “No. Not a word. Mark asked them directly more than once. They say they were in back. In the guesthouse, in their room. They didn’t see a thing. And I believe them.”

“The twins have had their lives turned upside-down,” Mark said. “Losing their parents and their home on the island, moving to a very different place. I’ve been watching them very closely. I think I’d know if they were keeping something from me.”

“Well, we appreciate all your help,” Pavano said.

“We came to ask the three boys just a few questions. Do you think that would be okay now?”

Mark turned to Lea. “Roz was going to take them into town to buy dinner,” Lea said. “But go ahead.”

“I guess it would be okay,” Mark said. “But if the talk begins to upset them-”

“We’ll know when to stop,” Pinto said, glancing at his partner.

“I’m happy to cooperate, even if you think I’m your number one suspect. But as I said, this is pretty ridiculous, a total waste of time,” Mark muttered, walking to the office door.

“We have to do everything,” Pinto said. “This isn’t our usual kind of case.”

“I’ll go get the boys,” Lea said. She turned to Mark. “I’m going back to my work. Roz will take the boys and get dinner when they’re finished here.”

Mark turned to the cops. “The boys are out back. In the guesthouse. They’ve been hanging out there. All three of them. My son is shy and difficult. But I think he’s bonding with his new brothers.”

“Nice,” Pavano muttered.

Mark realized that was too much information.

I’m their top suspect. God. How stupid is that?

He heard the boys clomping down the hall.

I’ll cooperate the best I can. But of course my main goal has to be to protect my kids.

Afew minutes later, the three boys stepped in. They glimpsed the two police officers and lingered near the office door.

All three boys wore loose-fitting denim jeans and oversize dark T-shirts. Ira carried his game player in one hand. The twins had sweet smiles on their faces, which seemed strange to Mark. Why were they always so happy?

Pinto motioned for them to sit on the floor. He squinted from one to the other. “Those arrows on your faces.”

“We saw them on kids at your school,” Pavano offered. “The principal said-”

“It’s our new school symbol,” Daniel interrupted. He turned his face to show off his blue arrow.

“What does it mean?” Pinto asked.

“Up,” Daniel replied. “Up with Sag Harbor Middle School.”

“Nice,” Pinto said. But he gave his partner a look that said it wasn’t so nice. “Is everyone at your school wearing them?”

“They will be,” Daniel answered. “It was the principal’s idea.”

“Different,” Pavano commented.

“We just want to talk to you for a few minutes about your friend Derek Saltzman,” Pinto said, leaning toward the boys with his hands on his knees. “Of course you heard about what happened to Derek.”

The boys nodded somberly. “It’s very sad,” Daniel said softly.

“Is that how you feel? Sad?” Pinto asked.

The three of them nodded again.

“He wasn’t very nice,” Ira said, eyes down. “But he shouldn’t be killed.”

“Not very nice?” Pinto’s eyes widened.

“He was mean to a lot of kids,” Ira said, glancing at Mark.

Mark nodded, signaling him to be honest about Derek.

“Was he mean to you?” Pinto asked Ira.

Ira nodded. He stuffed his hands into his jeans. “Yeah. He took things from me. Candy and stuff. He did that to everyone. My friend Ethan, too. He took their stuff. He bossed kids around. A lot.”

“It’s. . very scary,” Samuel chimed in. “What happened to Derek.” Mark saw a tear glisten on his cheek.

Daniel’s shoulders trembled. “I’m scared,” he said, eyes on Mark. “Why did a killer do that to Derek?”

Samuel and Daniel both sobbed. Tears tracked down their faces. Ira kept his head down. He kept picking at a scab on his thumb.

“I think that’s enough for now,” Mark told the two cops.

Pinto leaned closer to the boys. “Are you feeling too sad to answer a few more questions?”