The Burning Read Online Free PDF Page A

tuning up and fell silent. The gaslights were dimmed.
    The Pierce family box was near the stage, high above the orchestra. It was the perfect place to see and be seen, which in Angelica’s mind was the main reason to attend the opera.
    James smiled at her. “It is about to begin. You and your cousin will have to stop gossiping for a while.”
    â€œOh, good heavens! Look who is here!” Liza exclaimed. She handed the opera glasses to Angelica, then pointed below them.
    â€œWho is it?” Angelica asked, raising the glasses to her eyes. “Oh!” Angelica uttered a soft cry of surprise as in the dimming light she spotted Simon Fear. He was in a seat beneath her box—staring up at her!
    Realizing that her glasses were trained on him, Simon smiled wide and waved up at her.
    Angelica lowered the glasses and sank back in her seat. “Such arrogance!”
    Liza tossed her head. “The opera is supposed to be for society people,” she said snootily.
    â€œWho is it?” James asked Liza. “Have you found yourself another young man from Biloxi?”
    â€œIt is just someone I know,” Angelica replied.
    Something about Angelica’s tone of voice roused James’s curiosity. “Someone you know? A boy?” He leaned forward and peered down, his hands on the railing.
    â€œJames, please,” Angelica whispered. “The opera is about to begin.” She reached out to pull him back.
    But to her surprise James rose to his feet, still leaning over the railing.
    â€œJames—what on earth—!” Angelica whispered.
    James turned to her, his silver gray eyes wide in an expression of terror. His hands came off the railing. They rose stiffly in front of him, and he turned and started climbing onto the box railing.
    â€œJames—come down!” Liza shrieked. “James— get
off
there!”
    James balanced awkwardly on the balcony railing for a moment, his mouth open in a silent scream. His arms began thrashing wildly at his sides. His legs trembled.
    â€œJames, you’re going to
fall!”
Angelica cried.
    She grabbed for him with both hands.
    Too late.
    Without uttering a sound, he toppled over the rail.
    â€œJames! James!” Angelica shrieked, her arms still outstretched.
    She called his name again and again, not believing her eyes. Not believing that he was gone. Not believing the empty space beside her.
    And then her high-pitched screams blended in with the other startled cries and shrieks of horror that filled the darkened hall.

Chapter 6

    S imon watched the body plunge from the box. It hit with an echoing
thud
in the aisle.
    Then, as horrified screams rose up in the darkness, Simon tucked the silver pendant under his dress shirt and quickly made his way to the aisle.
    A few moments later he entered the private box to find Angelica and her cousin comforting each other, their tearstained faces filled with disbelief.
    Liza’s shoulders heaved as she sobbed. Her face was buried in her gloved hands.
    Angelica gazed up, startled to see Simon. She brushed away the tears from under her eyes.
    â€œI am so sorry for you, Angelica,” Simon said softly, his dark eyes locked sympathetically on hers. “So sorry … so sorry.”
    â€œDid you—did you
see
him fall?” Angelica asked Simon. “Is James alive? I cannot bear to look.”
    Simon lowered his head sadly. “I am so sorry, Angelica. Your friend is dead.”
    â€œNooooo!” Angelica uttered a wail of horror.
    â€œHe fell so far, so rapidly,” Simon reported in a whisper. “I saw him land on his head. I am sure he died instantly.”
    Angelica shuddered and shut her eyes.
    â€œHe did
not
jump!” Simon heard Liza cry in a shrill, frightened voice. “Why would James jump? Why did he climb onto the railing?”
    â€œIf I can be of any help … ” Simon offered Angelica, his hand placed lightly on her trembling shoulder.