"Pike, Christopher - Whisper Of Death.(1991)TXT" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pike Christopher)

"It's just because it's deserted, that's all."

"But why is it deserted?"

"I told you, I don't know why. Please, let's go
home."

I started the car reluctantly. "OK."

We drove into Salem. There was no one out. It was
no big deal. It was still early. But it was odd. We went
to Pepper's house. He climbed out of the car without
giving me a goodbye kiss.

"What are your plans today?" I asked him.

"I want to sleep some more."

"And after that? Do you want to get together? I have
the whole day free." I'd made sure I had the day off so
I could recover from my operation. I was recovering
all right. In nine months I would be fully healed.

"Sure," he said without enthusiasm. He turned
away.

"Pepper?"

He stopped with his back to me. "I told you, I
understand."

"I'm sorry."

He sighed and glanced over his shoulder. "I hope
we're not both sorry."

"Yeah," I agreed.
I drove home. On the way I noticed again how quiet
the town was. There should have been someone on the
road. I couldn't even hear a bird singing. Yeah, I
noticed the silence, but it didn't make me wonder. I
was more amazed at how wide awake I felt. It was a
while since I'd slept.

I parked in the driveway and went inside. Like I
said, my dad was out of town. Yet the moment I
stepped through the door I was struck by how empty
the house felt-as if no one had ever lived there.