The trailer was stuck fast in a muddy ditch and even the four-wheel drive wasn't enough to get it out.

Perfect, he thought.

Leaning his head against the steering wheel, for a while it had looked as if things were beginning to go well and now everything was suddenly going wrong.

The rain was probably going to ruin all the painting they had done outside. There was a slight chance that the paint might have dried in time, but Steve wasn't counting on it. On top of that, the cook he'd hired had never shown up. He had run into Dorf in town and Crystal Lake's answer to Don Knotts was already complaining that the kids he'd hired were a bunch of smartass wise guys. Apparently, he'd taken a ride out there earlier and they had neglected to salute him. And Alice was ready to give up and go back to California. And now this.

Maybe there really was a curse on the damn place.

Flashing red lights came on behind him and he glanced into the rearview mirror and sighed with relief as he saw the police car pull off the side of the road. He pulled up the hood of his slicker and got out of the Jeep. The spotlight shone on him and he squinted against its glare.

"Hi, Steve."

It was Sergeant Tierney.

"Hi," said Steve, relieved that it wasn't Dorf.

"I thought that thing would go through anything," said Tierney.

"Not riding a trailer," Steve replied wryly, "Can you give me a lift?"

"Sure."

Tierney opened up the passenger door for him.

"I'll have one of my counselors bring me back in the morning," Steve said, getting in.

"No problem."

Tierney turned off the flashers and pulled back onto the road.

"Hell of a night, isn't it?"

"It's a nasty one," Steve agreed."

"It's not bad enough, it's Friday the 13th," said Tierney, grimacing. "We've got a full moon too." He snorted. "We keep statistics, you know? We have more accidents, more rapes, more robberies, more homicides, more of everything when there's a full moon. It upsets people—makes 'em nuts."

Steve grinned. "You've made a science out of coincidence."

Tierney shrugged.

"Can't argue with the numbers. Heard Old Ralph was out your way today. His wife was a nervous wreck until we got him home."

"Oh boy, that's all I need," said Steve, "Crazy Ralph running around."

"Well, at least the rain's stopping. Pisser while it lasted."

The radio crackled and the dispatcher's voice came on.

"Sergeant Tierney, come in. Sergeant Tierney, Code Niner."

Tierney grabbed the mic.

"This is Tierney."

"Rescue squad with jaws of life," the dispatcher said, "Near mile marker 17. Possible fatals. Three, maybe four trapped. Head on."

"Roger," Tierney said, "A knowledge receipt. Estimated arrival: 15 minutes.

He hung the mic back on its hook.

"See what I mean?" he said.

He pulled over at the turnoff leading to the camp.

"I'll have to let you off here, Steve."