The Black Heart Crypt

Azalea Torres was on the school bus, cramming for a science test.

That meant opening the textbook for the first time, checking out the chapter.

“Got it,” she muttered to herself. Yes, a photographic memory was a girl’s best friend. Right now, she knew more about solar and geothermal energy than even Malik Sherman!

The bus made its standard fart noises, swung out its squeaky red stop sign, and came to a halt at the corner where Malik boarded.

Only he wasn’t at the bus stop.

Three kids climbed aboard, but no Malik.

Maybe the big meeting of the Pettimore Trust down in New York City hadn’t gone so well.

Losing his big reward, which was supposed to cover all his mom’s medical bills, would be a total bummer. If that was what had happened, Azalea might need to go home sick today, too.

She’d ask Zack if he’d heard anything.

His stop was only two away.

Right after Haddam Hill and the totally creepy but totally cool cemetery.