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Aria drew in a breath There was the Starry Night practice painting She scanned the text Baron Brennan’s priceless Van Gogh study is stillthe case after one of the suspects disappeared New evidence suggests two people were involved in the theft, not one Cri an anonymous tip

The paper fluttered froers On the back of the article was a handwritten letter The writing was the same scrawl as on the note from the other day Aria read the words and then rested her head on the hood, suddenly weak

Star light, star bright,

The first star I see tonight,

I wish I ht,

Have the cops nail Aria without a fight

Love, A

13

A Chat to Rereen-haired, gu over Spencer’s desk She proffered a menu that read BREWHAUS INTERNET CAFÉ Spencer took it and opened it up, but the only offerings were a ss on the shelf behind the counter They looked dusty and stained

"You don’t have coconut water, do you?" Spencer asked hopefully

The girl rolled her eyes "What do you think?" Then she stoainst the checkerboard floor

Spencer looked around, questioning once again why she was here The Brewhaus Internet Café was nothing more than a dated coffeehouse across from the Yarmouth train station Every train that passed rattled the old walls, the scent of stale coffee filled the air, the chairs weren’t level, and there was grating electronica playing over the speakers But word had it that this place had the most password-protected Internet service anywhere in the tristate area,that the connection was spy-proof

As Spencer slipped her burner phone back into her purse, her fingers grazed a dinner selection otten it at a Student CouncilVan Gogh signature-like lettering, and a tiny i was at the botto those swirly clouds ure this out, but would they? Even with A’s threatening notes, even if they could find evidence that so there, would the police believe that a Van Gogh had just shown up in her closet without any involveain, Spencer wasn’t sure what else they should do Placing the artwork on a museum doorstep would only invite controversy--and besides, Aria’s fingerprints were probably all over the canvas What they needed to do was nail Ali and her helper and force theet-out-of-jail-free card

An IM popped up on her computer screen I’m here, said soative blogger Spencer had contacted the other day They’d planned to chat this afternoon, but Spencer hadn’t been sure whether he would actually sign on

She checked over her shoulder Everyone else was intently staring at their own screens, oblivious to her The IM blinked at her, waiting I’m here, too, she typed back I like your site You’ve done a lot of research

Thanks, Chase answered, adding a smiley emoticon So what’s your name?

Spencer hesitated I don’t want to say yet I’uy or a girl?

Girl, Spencer wrote, feeling a little like she was filling out a dating profile

How about Britney Spears? The reply caht away

Spencer moved back froer, is she?

Hell no, Chase wrote back It was just the first thing that popped into my head

Okay, Britney Spears it is, Spencer typed

So you’re interested in the Alison case? he asked

Spencer sed hard Sort of Isn’t everyone?

It’s definitely a weird story, a new ht about the whole thing I just don’t knohat it is yet

Are you actively investigating what happened? Spencer asked

Just as a hobby, Chase wrote Since the investigation is still open, the cops asked me to keep the details secret so they can catch the real killer But when I find out everything, I’ht the investigation was closed, Spencer wrote Ali killed her sister Didn’t she?

Yes, but there are some loose ends, Chase replied Like if Ali survived the fire And the police are still gathering evidence that Ali and Ali alone killed Jenna Cavanaugh and Ian Thomas

Did you know Alison? Spencer asked

Nope, but a si happened to me, which is why I’m interested

What do you mean?

There was a pause, then the screen flashed again I was stalked I went to an all-boys’ boarding school, and I had a psycho roommate He became obsessed with h, and they kept the story out of the news