Creeps Suzette by Mary Daheim Page A

time is it?” She blinked, trying to adjust to the lamp that glowed on the night table.
    â€œNot yet eleven-thirty,” Renie answered impatiently. “I heard something that sounded like a scream or a moan. Twice, in the last minute or so.”
    Judith sat up. “You mean it’s not the middle of the night? I must have just dropped off.”
    â€œYou did,” Renie said, giving Judith another shake. “Come on, grab a robe.”
    A minute later, the cousins were in the hall. It was completely dark, and they had to feel their way along the wall. After passing the first closed door, they saw a weak patch of light coming from Mrs. Burgess’s room. Hurrying to the source, they found the door wide open.
    â€œMrs. Burgess?” Renie called.
    There was no answer, except for the wind blowing in from the west. Slipping into the sitting room, Judith noticed that the light was coming from the boudoir.
    Mrs. Burgess was nowhere in sight, but the bathroom door was closed. “Mrs. Burgess?” Renie called again as she tapped on the solid mahogany door.
    This time, the cousins both heard something like a moan or a groan. It wasn’t coming from the bathroom. They dashed out into the hall, but could see nothing in the darkness.
    â€œThere’s got to be a light switch around here somewhere,” Judith muttered as she felt the wall nearest to the central staircase. “Damn. I can’t find it.” She kept going, making circular motions with her hand.
    They heard the sound again. “It’s coming from down-stairs,” Judith breathed, then miraculously felt a switchplate beneath her fingers.
    The lights came on. Judith and Renie rushed to the head of the central staircase. They looked down to the bottom, and saw a black heap on the floor. Judith jumped in surprise, then took Renie by the hand.
    â€œDon’t fall,” she urged, hurrying down the stairs. “What on earth…?”
    The question hung on the air. At the bottom of the stairs they could see the black heap more closely. It moved, and another groan was heard.
    â€œIt’s Dr. Moss,” Judith cried. She started for the doctor, who was completely covered by the black cape and a big hat. Then, with a jolt, she saw the top of Mrs. Burgess’s head. She was lying underneath the doctor.
    â€œHelp me,” she gasped. “I think Dr. Moss is dead.”
    Before the cousins could do anything but suck in their breaths, Mrs. Burgess passed out.

SIX
    â€œI S THIS ECSTASY or a nasty accident?” Renie whispered as the cousins tried to ease Dr. Moss’s body off Mrs. Burgess. “Or, given their ages, both?”
    â€œHush,” Judith hissed, getting a grip on Dr. Moss’s shoulders. “One, two, three, heave-ho!”
    The cousins moved the doctor just enough to free the unconscious woman. “We’ve got to call the police and the medics,” Judith said, then heard the soft sound of sobbing from somewhere nearby. She turned swiftly and saw Kenneth, huddled next to a marble statue of Venus Rising from the Sea.
    He pointed a shaking finger at his grandmother. “She’s dead, isn’t she?” Kenneth asked between sobs. “I feel terrible.” He moved on unsteady legs from just inside the entry hall.
    â€œShe’s not dead,” Renie snapped, standing up. “Move it, I’m calling the cops.” Brushing past Kenneth, she rushed toward the library.
    â€œNot dead?” Kenneth asked in a toneless voice. “But…”
    â€œDr. Moss is dead,” Judith said, feeling for a pulse and not finding one.
    â€œThen we can’t call him,” Kenneth said.
    â€œThat’s right.” Judith gritted her teeth. “Get some brandy from the drawing room. Hurry up.”
    â€œI’ll call Dr. Stevens from there,” Kenneth said over his shoulder.
    Judith didn’t have any idea who Dr. Stevens was, but figured he must be someone