Page 95 of Puzzle for Two

“I’d like—”

His cell phone rang.

Flint’s groan was comically heartfelt, but Zach didn’t laugh. His heart stopped. He used that “circuit” ringtone for one person and only one person: Alton.

He bolted upright, leaning over the bed and grabbing his jeans off the floor. He groped through his pockets until he found his phone. He showed the screen to Flint.

“What am I looking at?” Flint sounded puzzled.

Zach snatched his phone back and pressed Accept. “Hello? Who’s speaking?”

“Mr. Davies? Is that you?”

Not Alton. But still confusing. The voice was strange. High and sing-songy. Female? Zora?

“This is Zach.”

“It’s me. Zora Kaschak. I’m in terrible, terrible trouble. Chico Martinez tried to kidnap me!”

“What?”

“What’s going on?” Flint demanded.

Zach shook his head. “Where are you?”

The voice said breathily, “I managed to get away. But he’s looking for me. I think he’s going to kill me. He’s going to try to make it look like I killed Alton and then killed myself.”

Flint said, “What the hell’s going on?”

Zach ignored him. “Where are you? Do you know?”

“I’m at Haunted Hollow.”

“Where?”

“Haunted Hollow.”

Where the—?

His brain finally kicked in. “The theme park?”

“Yes! Yes! He tried to drag me to the top of Mount Doom. He was going to throw me off. But I got away. I’m hiding in Malice Mansion.” Her voice dropped even lower. “But he’s looking for me. He’s going to find me. I know he is. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Okay. I—”

“Help me,” Zora wailed. “Oh, help me, Mr. Davies!”

She disconnected.

Flint was already out of bed and getting dressed.

Zach, in the process of phoning Bill Cameron, stared at him. “It’s a trap, Flint. It has to be.”

“Of course, it’s a trap.” Flint dragged his shirt on. “Are you phoning Cameron?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Flint buckled his belt. “You wait for Cameron outside the park. I’ll—”

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