by Cindy Kirk
Jake’s gaze jerked to Angel. The look she shot Jarvis could have melted steel.
“Crow helps me with my homework,” she said.
“I didn’t know Anatomy was offered this semester,” Jarvis said with a sly smile.
“He lends her a helping hand,” Mike answered, and the boys both laughed.
“That’s enough,” Jake said sharply. “Any more of that kind of talk and you’ll have to leave.”
“Sorry.” Mike sounded not at all contrite.
“Me, too.” Jarvis made a show of wiping the smile from his lips. “We were just joking. Angel knew that. Didn’t you, Angel?”
Jake didn’t give her a chance to answer. He fixed a gaze on the boys. “Remember what I said. Keep it clean or you’re out of here.”
For the next hour, Jake mingled with the students, spent time talking with Emily’s parents and watched Angel out of the corner of his eye.
He couldn’t believe she was twenty-six. She looked more like an eighteen-year-old than half the girls in the room did tonight. In fact, she didn’t look a lot different than she had in that picture.
Dear Lord, please help me find Tony D’Fusco.
It seemed a selfish prayer, and he felt guilty for even sending it heavenward. Although he could say it was because he needed to know her identity for the good of the students and the school, deep down he knew it had little to do with Woodland Hills High, and a whole lot more to do with how she made him feel.
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?,” Emily’s mother said suddenly.
“Who?” Jake turned to her. He took a sip of tea.
“Angel.” Anne Weyer lowered her voice. “Oh, I’ll grant you, the first time I met her I had my reservations.”
“But now?”
“I like her,” she said simply. “She’s been good for Emily. And she’s a classic example of looks being deceiving.”
Deceiving.
“You think so?” He cast another glance at Angel, wondering what she was up to, not liking how close she stood to Jarvis. Or rather, how close the boy stood to her.
“She’s a young woman who’s got her head on straight, despite her rather unconventional appearance.” Anne laughed. “But you have to understand, the first time I met Joe he had a ponytail.”
Jake couldn’t imagine Joe Weyer, an investment banker, with hair longer than a quarter inch. Jake’s gaze slipped to the beverage table, where Emily’s dad was dispensing sodas and juice. It was a good thing Joe’d had it while he still could. Now, what hair he had left hung in thin wispy strands across a shiny dome.
Jake shook his head and turned back to Anne. “Does Angel spend a lot of time at your house?”
“Tonight’s the first time she’s been here. We’ve invited her before but she’s always said no.” Anne’s gaze shifted to Angel and her expression grew thoughtful. “The three of us go to lunch on the weekends, and occasionally she’ll go with Emily and me to an art exhibit or concert. I think she’s lonely.”
“What about Crow?” The question on Jake’s mind slipped from his lips. “Does he ever come, too?”
“I’ve never met him, and to tell you the truth I’m not sure what’s going on there.” She paused and worry lines appeared between her brows. “She’s fond of him, but…I don’t know…it’s a strange relationship.”
“Do you think they’re…intimate?” The question had troubled him since he’d first seen them together in the park, but he’d certainly never meant to voice it. He glanced at the red plastic cup in his hand, supposedly filled with iced tea. Unless good old Joe had spiked the beverage, Jake had no good excuse for asking the question.
Surprisingly, Anne didn’t seem to find it out of line. With a start, Jake realized that despite their age difference, Emily’s mother considered him to be her peer rather than her daughter’s. “I couldn’t say, but from what Emily tells me, I doubt it. Now, let me ask you a question. What do you think of that boy over there with my daughter?” Ann gestured with her head to the blond boy standing across the room with his arm around Emily.
“Mike Blaine?” Jake paused and thought for a minute. “Good athlete. Comes from a nice family.”
“Is that all?”
With a start, Jake realized that was all he knew. He’d coached the boy since he was a freshman but he really didn’t know much about Mike. The kid was cocky—no one would argue that—but he followed directions and had never really given Jake any trouble.
Right now, he stood with his arm looped around Emily’s shoulder, blatantly ignoring her father’s disapproving gaze.
“I don’t like him and I sure don’t trust him.” Anne gathered up some discarded plates, her voice so low that Jake had to strain to hear. “Mark my words, that boy’s headed for trouble.”
Jake wanted to tell her that Big J was the one headed for trouble. The boy was a predator, a seducer of females who’d gained his nickname from doing more than holding hands.
And right now Loverboy had Angel trapped, his hands flat against the wall on both sides of her body, pinning her in.
No, Mrs. Weyer didn’t trust Mike, and Jake didn’t trust Jarvis. Not one bit. And he was going to do something about it. He headed across the room.
Chapter Seven
Tom Jorgens rapped lightly on the door and shifted from one foot to the other. A warm breeze ruffled his hair and the familiar scent of lilacs tickled his nose.
Jane had loved lilacs.
Her casket had been covered in them.
The thought brought a dull pain, and made the faint sounds of laughter and conversation filtering through the door unpalatable. The company of others held no appeal. There was only one thing that made him feel good. Only one thing he needed. And he wasn’t going to let anyone or anything take away that one pleasure.
The door opened abruptly.
Tom jumped. The nerves in his skin fired along the surface like a semiautomatic weapon.
“Why, Mr. Jorgens.” Emily’s mouth dropped open. She shut it with a snap. “Hello. My father said he thought he heard someone drive up.” The girl opened the door wider. “Come on in. We just finished with the Bible study.”
No wonder Emily looked so surprised. He’d never made any bones about his religious beliefs. God, he’d decided long ago, simply didn’t exist, and those who believed otherwise were engaged in wishful thinking.
Tom realized Emily was staring. The question she wouldn’t ask shone strong in her blue eyes. He cursed his own stupidity. Why hadn’t he taken the time to think of a plausible explanation as to why he’d stopped by?
He smiled and frantically searched for an excuse, a believable lie. But nothing would come when he had so much other stuff weighing heavily on his mind.
“From the cars outside, looks like you got a good turnout,” Tom said with feigned interest.
“Almost fifty,” Emily said proudly. “The only bad thing about the whole deal is that since most kids didn’t carpool, all the on-street parking is gone. My dad said he hopes the neighbors don’t call the cops and complain.”
Cops.
Tom thought of the tip he’d received from a “friend” late this afternoon. It couldn’t be true. They’d been too careful.
“Mr. Jorgens? Are you okay?” Emily touched his arm, her eyes filled with concern.
No, I’m not okay, he wanted to scream. One wrong careless move could bury him. He had to speak with Mike…to warn him.
“I’m fine.” He forced a reassuring smile. “It was just a busy day at school.”
“I’m sure being a principal is hard. You must have to deal with one problem after another.”
“Sometimes it seems that way.” Problems like—had they placed another cop in his school? Jake Weston said no, but then, he might be in on it with them.
“You look tired.” The girl’s voice was soft and gentle.
Tom rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers and blinked. “I am tired. I just need to talk to Mr. Weston for a minute, then I’m headed hom
e.”
Why he’d mentioned Jake Weston, he didn’t know. But the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea.
Emily gestured to an open doorway at the end of the hall. “He’s in the family room. We’re all just hanging out.” She glanced to the right. “I was going to get some more iced tea….”
Tom waved a dismissive hand. “Go and get your tea. I can find my way to the end of the hall. I’ll yell if I get lost.”
Emily giggled. Her nose scrunched up and her blue eyes sparkled. What would it have been like if he and Jane had been able to have children? What if he’d had a daughter like Emily? She would have brought noise to his silent house and love to his empty life. Maybe then he wouldn’t be so lonely. He might not have needed something else to keep him going. But then again—Tom brushed aside the sentimental ramblings—maybe it wouldn’t.
He stopped at the arched doorway and his gaze scanned the crowd until he located Mike Blaine.
Lately Tom had found himself wishing he’d never gotten involved with the kid in the first place. Teenagers could be so unpredictable.
Keeping Mike in sight, Tom started across the room. He hadn’t gone ten feet before he ran into his “excuse.” “Jake, just the man I wanted to see.”
Jake’s eyes widened. “Tom, what a surprise. You’re the last person I expected to see here.”
“I was in the neighborhood.” Two years of continual lies had made Tom a master. “I saw your Jeep and thought I’d stop by. There’s something I need to discuss with you.”
“It must be important if it couldn’t wait until tomorrow.” Jake’s expression turned serious.
“I’m going to be out of the office the rest of the week and it is important.” Tom pulled Jake aside and lowered his voice. “It’s something I didn’t want to discuss at school, anyway. You never know who might be listening.”
“What is it?” Jake’s voice conveyed concern.
“I think the police were right.” Tom spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. If he could pull this off, he’d deserve an Oscar. “I now believe one of our teachers is involved in that drug ring.”
“What made you change your mind?”
“The police.” Tom met Jake’s gaze, grateful that at least this part of the story was true. “They called and asked for a list of all the subs we’ve used since September.”
Jake’s brows drew together in a thoughtful frown. “So they think the person they’re looking for is a sub?”
Tom hid a smile. This latest police wild-goose chase couldn’t have come at a better time. Shifting suspicion to the temporary staff might be his salvation. “It looks that way.”
“But what does this have to do with me?”
Tom tried to keep the exasperation from his voice. “The police want those names by five o’clock Monday. I want you to get that list together.”
Jake shook his head. “I’d like to help, Tom, but I think you’d be better off checking with the central office. They should have that information in their computer system.”
“You’d think so,” Tom said. “But when the administration converted to that new system at the end of December, they erased a bunch of files and they say they don’t have them. That’s where you come in.”
“Me?” Jake raised both hands and took a step back. “I know I’ve done some special projects, but I’m afraid retrieving lost files—especially ones that have been erased—are beyond my expertise.”
Tom shook his head. “Forget the computer. Just start making a list of the names of any subs you remember.”
When Jake hesitated, Tom forced a hint of pleading into his voice, pleased when it came out just as he’d intended. “Everyone knows you’ve got a mind like a steel trap. You never forget a name. I’d consider it a personal favor, Jake. If there’s someone doing this kind of stuff in my school, I want them caught. And the sooner the better.”
“I hear you, Tom.” Jake clasped the man’s shoulder. “You can count on me.”
“I still don’t see why you came here tonight.” Mike’s gaze darted from side to side as if he were making sure no one was in listening distance.
“Because, you fool—” the principal spoke through gritted teeth but, to Mike’s amazement, still managed to smile and wave at Emily’s mother across the room “—I needed to let you know to steer clear of that house on Gade. Word is the cops are watching it. And us.”
Mike glanced over to where Emily stood talking to Kenneth Hurlburt. He didn’t like the way she smiled up at the geek. That was the very reason he’d come to this thing tonight—to keep her away from those straight-as-an-arrow religious types.
Emily didn’t realize how pretty she was or how desirable. Initially the other guys hadn’t taken much notice of her, but lately that had changed. Look at Kenneth: he was practically drooling.
“Are you even listening to me?”
Mike turned his attention back to Tom, but didn’t even try to hide his irritation. Lately, the man had been getting on his nerves. “You could have called. Or texted.”
“Too dangerous.” Tom shook his head. “Calls can be traced…intercepted.”
“You know…” With great effort Mike reined in his rising temper. “You’re sounding super paranoid. It’s a real drag.”
Tom’s eyes hardened and Mike cursed his foolishness. The guy was strung tighter than a guitar string, and it wouldn’t take much to set him off.
“Okay, okay,” Mike said soothingly. “Thanks for the warning. I appreciate it.”
“You’ll steer clear of the place?” The principal’s chest rose and fell as if he’d been running a race.
“You bet.” Mike stared at the man. Some people could handle crystal. This one obviously couldn’t. “Thanks for letting me know, man.”
“Know what?” Angel asked softly behind him.
They both jumped. Mike forced a chuckle. “Don’t good angels know they shouldn’t listen to other people’s conversations?”
“The key word there is good.” She smiled. “I’m curious as a cat. So what were you two whispering about? I can keep secrets. I promise.”
Mike thought quickly. It was obvious from Tom’s silence that he wasn’t going to be of any help. “Mr. Jorgens was telling me he’d heard that I was going to be named to the Super State team again. But—” Mike touched a finger to his lips and lowered his voice “—it’s not official yet, so we have to keep it quiet.”
Angel’s smile widened. “Congratulations. You must be thrilled.”
“Yeah, thrilled.” If he could get rid of Tom he’d be thrilled. Mike looked over Angel’s shoulder at Emily and Kenneth, now sitting side by side on a floral love seat. His jaw clenched. Next thing you know, the guy would have his arm around her.
Over my dead body.
“Hey, it’s been great but I gotta go. Thanks again, Mr. Jorgens, for the news.”
The two watched the boy make a beeline across the room to join Emily and Kenneth on the sofa.
“He’s quite a guy,” said Angel.
“Yes, he is.”
“That’s great about the Super State thing,” Angel said.
“Super State?” The principal paused, then nodded. “Oh, yes. I couldn’t wait to tell him.”
Angel lingered at the door. Everyone else had gone but she’d stayed behind to help clean up. Emily’s mother had told her the maid was more than capable of handling it, but Angel had insisted. And for good reason. She needed to find out what was going on.
“I had a great time tonight, Em.”
A satisfied smile tipped the corner of Emily’s lips. “It went better than I ever could have hoped.”
“Mike seemed all about you tonight.” Angel tossed the words out casually and watched for the girl’s reaction.
“I know.” A rosy flush dotted Emily’s cheeks. “He came over when I was talking to Kenneth, and for a second I thought he was…well, jealous.”
“Of Kenneth?” Despite the fact she’d gotten the same impression, A
ngel couldn’t quite keep the incredulity from her voice.
“I know Kenneth isn’t as good-looking as Mike, but he’s a nice guy.” Emily’s eyes flashed.
Angel raised her hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it. Honest.”
Emily scuffed her toe into the deep plush of the carpet, her eyes downcast. “Kenneth is sweet, and I don’t want you or anyone else dogging him.”
Angel touched Emily’s arm. “I like him. If it sounded like I was saying anything against him, I’m sorry.”
The smile Emily shot her was wobbly, but it was laced with forgiveness, and Angel couldn’t ask for more.
“Mike and Jarvis sure took off suddenly.” Angel pasted a concerned expression on her face. “I hope nothing was wrong.”
Emily snorted, and the look in her eyes told Angel that Mike hadn’t scored any brownie points tonight.
“He got a text,” Emily said. She shook her head in disgust. “I swear his friends mean more to him than anything…or anyone.”
Ah, so that’s how it is, Angel thought. Not only had Kenneth been pleasant and attentive, but Mike had fallen short. He’d let his “business dealings” interfere with his love life, even though it had been obvious tonight how much he liked Emily. Angel had never felt that Mike was right for Emily, but she felt almost sorry for the guy. He just kept making the wrong choices.
“Maybe his parents were sick. Maybe that’s why he had to leave so suddenly.”
“Maybe I’m Miss America.” Emily rolled her eyes. “Give me a break, Angel. You know as well as I do, it has something to do with drugs.”
Angel forced herself to go slow. “He’s really into the stuff, huh?”
“Let’s go outside.” Emily gestured with her head up the stairs. “You never know who might be listening.”
They stepped out onto the porch, and Emily pulled the door shut behind her. She sat on the front step and Angel joined her.
