Lessons in Murder Read Online Free PDF

for murder. The strident ring of the phone shattered the dream. Disoriented, she groped in the dark until she found the receiver. “Hello?”
    Silence. She leaned to look at the clock. Ten past three. “Hello? Who’s there? Tony, is that you?”
    A whispered voice replied. “He woke up just as the drill went into his brain. He knew what was happening. I told him why he was dying.”
    She sat bolt upright, heart pounding. “Who is this? What are you saying?”
    A whispered chuckle. “Syb. Syb, darling. You’ll be next. A chain saw to cut off your pretty head. Don’t interrupt. Listen. You’re going to die and join Bill. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To lie with Bill?” A click, and then the burr of a disconnected line.
    With a convulsive movement she turned on the light. Familiarity stared at her, somehow alien. Sybil looked at the phone, still in her hand, at the room, at the curtains moving lazily in the summer breeze.
    Carol Ashton answered the telephone after five rings. She didn’t sound sleepy or surprised. “Yes? Carol Ashton here.”
    “It’s Syb.”
    “Pardon?”
    “Sorry. It’s Sybil Quade . . . the school. . .”
    “Of course. I didn’t recognize your voice. What’s happened?”
    Carol listened without comment as Sybil repeated what she had heard. Then she said, “When you hang up, write down the whole message, fast. Will you do that?”
    “Yes.”
    “The person actually threatened to cut off your head with a chain saw? In so many words?”
    “Yes.”
    Carol assured her that it was probably a nuisance call, but she would arrange for a patrol car to search the house and surroundings. Was there anyone she could stay with for the rest of the night?
    “I don’t want to leave. I’ll be all right.”
    Sybil was writing down every word she could remember when the telephone rang again. She stared at it, and, after a moment of hesitation, picked up the receiver.
    “Syb? Spoken to Inspector Ashton yet?” The same whisper. Could it be a woman? Sybil said nothing. “I know you’re listening, Syb darling. Randy little bitch, you are. Deserve to lose your head. Is Carol Ashton coming round to comfort you, Syb? Maybe she’ll make love to you. Would you like that? Make love fast, Syb. You haven’t got long.”
    Sybil’s hands were shaking as she dialed. Carol Ashton’s line was engaged. Three times she tried until the cool voice answered. To herself, Sybil sounded almost casual. “Sorry to bother you again, but I’ve had another call from the same person.”
    “Write it down. Got a tape recorder? If you have, put it near the phone and try to record any other call you get.” Carol’s voice was reassuring. “Don’t be frightened. A patrol car will be there soon, and I’ll be about half an hour. Right? Ring someone to stay with you.”
    “What if the person I ask is the one making the calls?”
    Carol gave a low laugh. “Good point. I’ll see you soon.”
    Sybil dressed quickly. She felt somehow much better wearing clothes. She found herself looking for a weapon. Something to protect her, something to stop a chain saw. A vision of a poster for The Texas Chain Saw Massacre swam into her mind. She tried smoking again, and choked, as usual.
    The uniformed police officers were reassuring. They searched each room and checked the garage and surroundings. “All clear,” one of them said. “This has been the high point of our night. Shows what a boring job it is, eh?”
    He broke off as Carol Ashton appeared at the doorway wearing jeans, a dark blue shirt and sneakers. He conferred with her for a moment, then both officers left.
    “You’re quite safe now. Let’s get some coffee and go through the whole thing together.”
    They lounged opposite each other in comfortable chairs, Carol seeming younger and less severe in her casual clothes. She smiled across at Sybil. “They’re upsetting, but a telephone call can’t hurt you.”
    “I’ve got an unlisted number because of crank calls