Remember Me by Christopher Pike Page A

from the outside, right?"

    "No. Unless you come in through the kitchen."

    "Does that door also lock when you close it?"

    "Yes."

    Garrett nodded to himself and made a note in his pad.

    "Who left the living room after Beth?"

    "I did," Jo said.

    "What's your full name, Jo?"

    "Joanne Fbulton." She added, "I was Shari's best friend."

    "How long after Beth left the living room did you leave?"

    "A few seconds. I went through the kitchen to the balcony. I wanted to see about Shari, make sure she was all right."

    "Why did you take so long to go after her?"

    "I wanted to give her a few minutes to settle down."

    "Did you by any chance tell the others to leave her alone for a few minutes?"

    Jo paused. "Yes."

    "What did you all do after Shari ran off and before you started to leave the living room?"

    "Nothing really," Jo answered. "Amanda picked up the candle and then went to the bathroom. Jeff went after her.

    Dan helped me turn on the lights and straighten the furniture.

    I flipped on the stereo."

    "You turned on the music? How loud?"

    "Medium volume."

    "When you started for the balcony, did you leave Dan in the living room?"

    Garrett asked.

    "We left the living room at the same time."

    "Did you see Shari on the balcony?"

    "No. I only saw Beth."

    "Beth was there before you?"

    "Yes."

    "You're absolutely sure?"

    "Yes."

    "Was Dan?"

    "No. But he walked out a few seconds after I did. He came out of the bedroom and put his arm around Beth."

    "Did he have to slide the door open? Was it shut?"

    "I think so, but I couldn't swear on it."

    "Who was the first one to see Shari lying below?"

    "I was," Daniel said, uneasy.

    "What is your full name, Dan?"

    "Daniel Heard. I didn't kill her."

    Garrett smiled. It was not a particularly handsome smile.

    He looked as if he was out of practice. "Why do you say that?"

    "Because I didn't."

    "What was your relationship with Shari?"

    "She was a friend of mine."

    "Oh, Christ," I muttered, disgusted.

    "She was your girlfriend," Jo said sharply. I was surprised Jimmy hadn't said it. But Jimmy was sinking, I realized, down deep inside. He hadn't spoken in a while. I was glad, in a way, that Amanda was there for him to hold on to.

    "I didn't know I was investigating a murder here,"

    Garrett said slowly, watching Daniel carefully. "If I believed that, I should have first advised you of your rights." He leaned back in his chair. "Have I made a mistake, Dan?"

    "I don't know. No. I think Shari jumped."

    "You think she was suicidal?" Garrett asked.

    "Well, no. I wouldn't say that."

    "But you're saying she killed herself?"

    Daniel shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not the only one."

    "Were you her boyfriend?"

    "Yeah, sort of. We were about to break up, though."

    "Why?"

    "No particular reason. I wanted to date other girls."

    "Did she know this?"

    "No," Jo broke in.

    "She did," Daniel said. "I had told her." He looked down at his sweaty palms.

    "But I still liked her. She was a good kid."

    "I was too hot a babe for you," I grumbled. "You liar."

    "What did you do when you left the living room?"

    Garrett asked.

    "I went into Beth's bedroom," Daniel said.

    "Was Amanda still in the bathroom?"

    "Yes."

"Could you hear her in there?"

    "I could hear die water running."

    "Was the door leading onto the balcony open or closed?"

    "It was closed."

    "Was Beth on the balcony?"

    "Yes."

    "What was she doing?"

    "Nothing."

    "Nothing?"

    "She was just standing there, looking out."

    "She wasn't by any chance looking down?"

    "I don't think so."

    "When did you notice Jo on the balcony?"

    "The second I stepped outside."

    "Was Jo looking down?"

    "No."

    "Why did you look down?"

    "I just did."

    "How long were you out there before you did so?"

    "Not long."

    "What did you see?"

    Daniel bit his lower lip. "Shari."

    "You knew right away it was her?"

    "Yeah."

    "What did you do? When you saw her?"

    "I told Beth and Jo. Then Jo went and got Jeff and

    Amanda. Then we called