Chapter 5

  "hey Mike," LaToya greeted. "Yeah, I'm having a bad dream...you could say that...how'd the funeral go?"

Michael took a deep breath. "It was fine. I just came back from the burial."

Latoya nodded. There was a silence. Michael looked at his watch.

   "Well I'd better go. I wanted to tell you that I wish you well and I hope for the best." Michael smiled.

   "Thanks." Latoya said . She watched him walk away.

Jermaine is gone, LaToya thought. And I'm about to be charged for his death. But I didn't-- She stopped that thought, remembering her dream. Suddenly, she gasped loudly as the beating of her heart started to increase dramatically.

   "Michael has disappeared again." Janet said to Jackie at the kitchen table. "I haven't seen him in months. Does he even know about LaToya's death?"

   "And Randy's." Jackie added somberly. "Tito...Rebbie..."

   "All these mysterious deaths...it's too much."

   "Doesn't seem that mysterious to me." Jackie said.

   "Why?"

   "Isn't it obvious? I think its Mr. Thriller himself."

Janet laughed. "You've got to be kidding me. Michael?"

   "Does it look like I'm kidding? Michael hasn't been to worried about himself." Jackie said.

   "That's because Michael isn't HERE!" Janet said.

   "Why do you suppose that is?"

   "I don't know!" Janet cried, frustrated. "Maybe because all these deaths are too much for him! You know how sensitive his is! He probably went somewhere to cool off."

   "Cool off? That's a laugh."

   "Look," Janet said. "All I know is that Michael didn't do this. I know this for a fact. You just want to blame someone for your grief."

Later on in the day, Jackie had disappeared.

   "Joesph," Janet said, descending the stairs. "Where's Jackie?"

   "For all we know, he could be dead already." Joesph said somberly.

   "Joesph don't say that." Janet said, not exactly scolding him, because she knew it might be true.

   "He might be at Michael's house." Janet reasoned.

   "Why do you figure?" He asked.

   "Don't worry, I just know. I'll be back." Janet said.