Thanks, Riley said, looking at her watch.
She hated to be rude. In fact, shed been hoping to run into this handsome guy again. But right now she was going to be late for classand besides, she somehow wasnt in the state of mind to enjoy even Ryans company.
Ryan handed the book back to her, as if he understood. Then he tore a small piece of paper out of a notebook and jotted something down.
A bit shyly, he said, Look, I hope this doesnt seem to be out of line, but I just thought Id give you my phone number. Maybe youd just like to talk sometime. Or not. Its up to you.
He handed her the bit of paper and added, I wrote my name down tooin case youd forgotten.
Ryan Paige, Riley said. I hadnt forgotten.
She recited her own phone number for him. She worried that it must seem brusque of her to tell him her number instead of writing it down for him. The truth was, she was glad to think she might see him again. She was just having trouble acting all friendly to anybody new right now.
Thanks, she said, putting the paper in her pocket. Ill see you later.
Riley brushed right past Ryan and headed toward her class.
She heard Ryan call out behind her, I hope so.
*As the rest of the school day passed, Riley read snatches of Zimmermans book whenever she got a chance. All day long she couldnt help wonderingmight Rheas killer be like Ted Bundy, a charming man who had managed to engage Rheas trust?
She remembered what Dr. Zimmerman had said in class that morning
The killer knew Rhea and wanted her dead.
And unlike Bundy, Rheas killer was finished. He would seek no other victims.
At least according to Dr. Zimmerman.
He seemed so positive, Riley thought.
She wondered how he could be so certain.
Later that evening, Riley and Trudy were in their dorm room studying quietly together. Little by little, Riley started feeling restless and impatient. She wasnt sure why.
Finally she got up from her desk, put on her jacket, and headed for the door.
Trudy looked up from her homework and asked, Where are you going?
I dont know, Riley said. Just out for a little while.
Alone? Trudy asked.
Yeah.
Trudy shut her book and looked at Riley anxiously.
Are you sure thats a good idea? she asked. Maybe I should come along. Or maybe you should call the campus escort service.
Riley felt a surprising burst of impatience.
Trudy, thats ridiculous, she said. All I want to do is take a little walk. We cant live like thisalways afraid something awful might happen. Life has to go on.
Riley was startled by the sharpness of her own words. And she could see by Trudys expression that her feelings were hurt.
Trying to speak more gently, Riley said, Anyway, its not very late. And I wont stay out long. Ill be safe. I promise.
Trudy didnt reply. She silently opened her book and started reading again.
Riley sighed and walked out into the hallway. She stood there for a few moments wondering
Where do I want to go?
What do I want to do?
Slowly came a vague realization
I want to go back.
She wanted to know how Rheas death had happened.
CHAPTER EIGHT
With relentless questions about Rheas death dogging her mind, Riley stood still and looked up and down the dorm hallway.
This was where it started, she thought.
She found herself picturing the place on Thursday night, the moment after she reluctantly agreed to go to the Centaurs Den with her friends.
She had just put on her denim jacket over a flattering crop top and stepped out into the hallway. Trudy and Rhea had been rounding up the other girls for their outingCassie, Gina, and Heather.
Riley remembered the bustle of immature excitement in the airthe promise of drinking, dancing, and maybe some guys.
She also remembered how disconnected shed felt from all that.
She retraced the groups steps down the hall and continued on outside.
It was already dark outnot as dark as it had been that night, but the lamps along the pathways were on, so it was easy for Riley to visualize how things had looked at the time.
As she walked the way they had all taken, Riley remembered lagging behind the others, tempted to head back to her room to resume her studies. Cassie, Gina, and Heather had clustered together, chattering and giggling. Rhea and Trudy had walked side by side, playfully punching each other in the arm over some joke that Riley hadnt been able to hear.
Riley kept visualizing all that had happened as she followed their route off campus and into the surrounding streets. Soon she arrived at the entrance to the Centaurs Den, as they had that night. She remembered being pushed ahead into the smoky, noisy bar.
As she walked on inside now, the place was markedly less crowded than it had been that night. It was also quieter. Alanis Morissettes Uninvited was playing on the jukebox, softly enough for Riley to be able to hear the nearby cracking of billiard balls. And there were no moving light beams or sparkles flashing over the empty dance floor.
But Riley could vividly remember the din and chaos of that nighthow Whiskey in the Jar had blared so loudly that the whole place vibrated, and how Heather, Cassie, and Gina had headed straight toward the bar, and how Trudy had grabbed both Riley and Rhea by the hands and yelled over the music
Come on, lets dance, the three of us!
As she stood looking at the now-empty dance floor, Riley remembered shaking her head and pulling her hand away, and how Trudy had looked hurt and then stuck out her tongue at her and then went right on dancing with Rhea.
Had that been the last time Riley had seen Rheaat least alive?
She remembered heading downstairs to be by herself. The next time shed seen her friends was when theyd come stumbling drunkenly down the stairs and Trudy had been wielding a full pitcher of beer.
Riley had asked Trudy
Wheres Rhea?
Trudy hadnt known, but one of the other girlsHeather, Riley thoughthad said that Rhea had already gone back to the dorm.
Riley swallowed hard at the realizationyes, the last time she had ever seen Rhea alive was right here on this dance floor.
She felt a renewed rush of guilt, and the awfulness of that word if
If maybe Id just stayed and danced with them
But she reminded herself of what Dr. Zimmerman had said about guiltthat it wasnt going to bring Rhea back
Focus instead on our capacity for empathy.
Riley wonderedwas that what she was trying to do right now, by reliving what she and her friends had gone through that night?
Was she trying to empathize?
If so, with whom?
She had no idea.
All she knew was that her curiosity was growing by the moment.
She simply wanted to knowwithout really having any idea what she expected to find out.
Riley turned away from the dance floor and noticed a couple of guys playing pool. One of them was Harry Rampling, the football player who had approached her downstairs that night.
Riley watched as Harry took a pool shot that didnt put any balls in any pockets. Riley thought it was a dumb shot. She was a pretty good pool player herself.