Welcome to case closed. You're listening to the Block Party by Jamie Day, narrated by Megan Tousing and Susie Jackson.

Let's pick up where we left off last week.

Chapter 43

Lettie.

I'm in my bedroom when I hear what sounds like a gunshot.

Downstairs, Zoe starts barking like crazy.

Dogs hate loud noises, which they perceive as a threat.

In this case, I'm in full agreement with my dog.

I'm home alone, so I'm the only one who can investigate. My brain is already

coming up with justifications for the noise. It was a car backfiring. A tree

branch had splintered. It was a rumble of thunder, even though the day is clear and

bright. A series of pops follows in close enough succession to give me a moment's pause before

I venture outside.

It could be fireworks, I'm thinking.

But it's also coming from the direction of Dylan's house,

which makes me supremely anxious.

As I'm opening my own door I hear yet another pop. The sound

seems to dissipate as it moves outward into the pleasant afternoon. When I

reach the end of my driveway, I decide the pops are coming from behind

Dylan's house and I'm almost equally certain about what's making the noise.

Riley comes out of her house. She frosts me with a stare. We haven't spoken since I

ratted her out, even though she technically did the same to me. But I don't

...