Jennie sighed. “I could never say no to her either.”
Scott gave her a lopsided grin. “Does that mean what I think it does?”
“It means you can stay, but don’t get any ideas.” Jennie straightened and headed for the pantry to get a broom and dustpan.
When she emerged, Scott was standing by the door and she nearly ran into him. “What kind of ideas?” he asked, his voice low and husky. He reached behind her and flattened his palm on the doorjamb. Jennie met his gaze and forgot to breathe. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. He is going to kiss me.
Not if she had anything to say about it. Jennie ducked under his arm and took a deep breath. “Those kind of ideas.”
He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “Just checking.”
“Here …” She handed him the broom. “Why don’t you finish cleaning this up while I find Gram?” At his questioning look she added, “Don’t worry. I’m just going to ask her if we have any more tea.”
After the others had gone to sleep, Jennie snuggled under her covers and, using the credit card Mom had given her, called home.
“Jennie, I’m so glad you called. I tried you several times tonight. I was getting worried.”
“We were out for a while.”
“Is everything all right? Your voice sounds odd.”
Jennie thought about saying, No, Mom, everything is not fine. We met this juvenile delinquent named Scott. He’s got these incredible green eyes and brown curly hair and has been arrested four times. Gram busted up his boss’s drugsmuggling scam, so you don’t have to worry about that. But she invited Scott to stay with us, and he tried to kiss me. Jennie smiled, imagining what her mother’s reaction would have been if she’d actually said it. Mom would be on the next plane to Florida.
“Jennie,” Mom asked again, “are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mom. Just a little tired. Traveling with Gram is a little like being caught up in a windstorm.”
“Well, you tell Gram to slow down and smell the roses. Oh, by the way, Ryan called.”
Jennie popped up, suddenly alert. “He did? When? Why didn’t he call here; did you give him the phone number? Did he leave a number where I could call him?” Mom chuckled. “You don’t like this guy or anything, do you?”
“Mom …”
“Okay, yes, he called—this afternoon. I gave him your number. He said he couldn’t leave one because he was calling from a pay phone. He said he’d try to call you, but he only had a few minutes before the fishing boat left. He also said if he couldn’t get you today, he’d try again in a few days.”
“But we won’t be here in a few days.”
“Relax, honey, I gave him the number of the research center on Dolphin Island.”
“Okay, thanks.” Jennie tried to keep the disappointment she felt out of her voice. “So … how’s the kid? Did he get Coco?”
“No … but don’t worry, I told him not to expect it until tomorrow. He’s fine. Michael’s been a lifesaver.”
Jealousy nibbled at the edge of Jennie’s thoughts, but she ignored it. “Have you heard from Lisa?”
“Oh, I’m glad you asked. She called today too. She asked me to have you call her the minute I heard from you.”
“Did she say why?” Jennie glanced at the clock. With the three-hour time difference it would be about ten there. Lisa would still be up.
“No, only that it was important.”
“Then, I guess I’d better hang up and call her. Give Nick a hug from me.”
“I will. I love you.”
“Love you too, Mom. Bye.” Jennie waited for the dial tone and called Lisa. She answered on the first ring.
“Wow,” Jennie said, “you must have been sitting on the phone.”
“I was. Listen, you’re not going to believe this.”
“Let me guess. You and Brad are engaged.”
“Get serious. No, listen. You know those people we overheard at the airport?”
“You mean Maggie and Tim?” Jennie leaned forward. “Right. Well, I was looking for an article in the paper on the environment for Sociology, and there they were.”
“Who?”
“Sarah and Maggie and that blond guy … the people we saw at the airport.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Get this. Sarah’s last name is Stanford. She’s fourteen, and hasn’t been able to talk since her dad died two years ago. Maggie, her mom, said she was taking her to Florida for a special kind of therapy where they use dolphins.”
Excitement stirred in Jennie. “Did the paper say where they were going?”
Lisa giggled. “Just that the center is located near Fort Myers in a place called Dolphin Island.”
6
“I can’t believe it,” Jennie squealed. “That’s where we’re going day after tomorrow.” It looked as though she’d get to talk with Sarah and Maggie after all. “So tell me what else you found out. You said she hasn’t talked for two years?”
“Right. Her father was John Stanford, a psychiatrist who was murdered a couple of years ago. Sarah was there when it happened.”
“Wow. No wonder she looked scared.” Jennie remembered the haunted look she’d seen in Sarah’s eyes.
“Anyway, maybe Dr. Stanford was the guy Tim was talking about at the airport. Remember?”
“Yeah,” Jennie tried to pull into focus the conversation she’d overheard. “Tim said something about Ramsey not killing John. Did the article say anything about that?”
“Just a minute … here’s something. This is a quote from Dr. Layton. ‘While the murder of my good friend and partner, Dr. John Stanford, has been resolved, his daughter’s silence remains a mystery. It is our hope that Dr. Cole and her team of trained bottle-nose dolphins will be able to restore Sarah to the brilliant and vibrant child she once was.’”
“Does it say anything else about the murder?”
“No. It’s mostly about Dr. Layton and using dolphins in therapy.”
“He isn’t Sarah’s therapist, is he?” Jennie asked, remembering the way he’d kissed Maggie at the airport.
“He used to be until he and Maggie got married. Now he’s her stepfather.”
“Hmmm. If the murder was resolved, I wonder why Tim would think the bomb threat was meant for Sarah.”
“I don’t know, but I have the feeling you plan to find out.” Jennie thanked her cousin for the information, then after swearing her to secrecy, told her about Scott.
“Is he dangerous?” Lisa asked in a conspiratorial tone.
“I don’t think so.” Jennie flipped over on her stomach and shifted the phone to her other ear. “Gram said it was mostly a matter of his being in the wrong places at the wrong times. Unfortunately, his temper doesn’t help.”
“Well, be careful.” Jennie heard Uncle Kevin’s voice in the background yelling at Lisa to hang up. “Gotta go. Dad’s having a cow.”
Jennie turned out the light. Sleep eluded her as her mind kept dredging up pictures of Sarah. Those huge, dark, vacant eyes reminded Jennie of the starving children in Africa. She tried to imagine what it would have been like for Sarah to witness her father’s murder. “Poor girl,” Jennie murmured. “It must have been terrible for you.”
Jennie’s father hadn’t been murdered, but she knew what it was like to lose a dad. Even though she’d never even met Sarah, Jennie felt connected with her. Despite the growing curiosity and excitement over seeing Sarah and Maggie again, jet lag and a full day’s activity finally pushed Jennie over the brink of wakefulness into a deep sleep.
The next morning Jennie joined Gram on the patio for breakfast. After pouring herself a glass of orange juice, Jennie told Gram about the article Lisa had found. “This is so weird,” she said, scooping a piece of papaya out of its skin. “I mean … I don’t even know Sarah and Maggie, but I can�
�t stop thinking about them.”
“And now it looks as though we’ll be staying at the same place.” Gram looked longingly at the plate of bacon and finally reached for a piece. “Perhaps you’ll be able to help her in some tangible way after all, Jennie. We’ll just have to wait and see what God brings about.” Gram studied her bacon before finally taking a bite. “I really shouldn’t be eating this. The doctor said I should be watching my cholesterol.”
Jennie grinned. “You always say that and then you go right ahead and eat it.”
“I do, don’t I? It’s my weakness.”
Jennie helped herself to two pieces and handed the plate to Gram. “Want some more?”
“No, better save the rest for Scott. Which reminds me, have you seen him?”
Jennie frowned. “He’s in the shower.”
“Good,” Gram said, “there’s something I want to ask you about.”
“You’re wondering what we can do to get rid of him?” Jennie asked hopefully. As soon as the words left her mouth she wished she could have taken them back.
“Jennie, I’m disappointed in your attitude. I thought you wanted to help him.”
“I’m sorry. I did want to help. I just …” Jennie glanced at her grandmother, then down at her half-eaten papaya. “I don’t know. There’s something about him that makes me uncomfortable. Anyway, what were you going to ask me?”
“I was going to ask what you thought of our inviting Scott to join us at Dolphin Island. I’ve already spoken to Kevin and Debbie Cole, the people who run the center, and they’re willing to consider giving Scott a job.”
“If you’ve already arranged it, why bother to ask my opinion?” Fighting back waves of anger, she pushed away from the table. “Maybe you ought to just send me home and finish your trip with Scott.”
“I see.” Gram calmly placed her napkin on the table. Jennie swallowed hard. Nice going, McGrady. Gram treats you like an adult and you act like a jealous three-yearold. “I’m sorry,” Jennie apologized again. “It’s just that this was supposed to be our time—a chance for us to be together.”
Gram surprised her by saying, “You’re right. Here I invited you on this trip so we could spend some quality time together, and the first thing I do is to get involved in another cause. If you don’t want him to come with us, that’s fine.” Gram paused and took a sip of tea. “Still, I’d like to help him …” She brightened. “We could give him money—enough to tide him over until he can get a job, or to buy a bus ticket home.” She leaned toward Jennie. “What do you think?”
“Hey, guys … what’s happening?” Scott approached the table, his hair still wet from his shower. He had on the same ragged cutoffs he’d worn during the protest the day before, only this morning he was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of a dolphin on the front and a caption that read Born to Be Free.
Scott sat down and helped himself to generous portions of scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. “This looks great. My mom used to fix breakfast like this before …” Scott’s eyes dimmed then brightened again, “Hey, you know, Mrs. McGrady, I was just thinking, since I don’t have a job anymore, maybe I could show you and Jennie around today. I could take you out to the reef to go snorkeling … ‘course you’d have to rent a boat …” He turned toward Jennie and shrugged. “Or, maybe you two would rather go alone.”
Jennie expected Gram to jump in and tell Scott that they’d be delighted to have him show them around. When she didn’t, Jennie realized Gram was waiting for her response. Here’s your chance, McGrady, she told herself. Tell him thanks, but no thanks.
“That’s really nice of you, Scott,” she said. When she looked up and saw the lopsided grin on his face, the discomfort Jennie so often felt around him reappeared. Face it, McGrady, the feelings you have for Scott have nothing to do with mistrust. You like the guy. Jennie groaned. “I do not …” Then, realizing she’d said it out loud, added, “… think I can stand to go another minute without a shower.”
Jennie pushed her chair away from the table. “While I’m getting ready, why don’t you and Gram decide what we’re going to do? Just be sure to leave some time free for hanging out at the beach.”
All through the shower and during their sail out to the reef, Jennie thought about Scott. She had to admit that despite his faults, there was something appealing about him. He was definitely good-looking, and besides, who could resist those gorgeous green eyes? If Lisa were here she’d be standing next to him at the wheel, learning all about boats and diving. Lisa wouldn’t think twice about flirting with him, even if she had another boyfriend. “Loosen up, Jennie,” she’d say. “It’s not like I’m going to marry him.”
“You look deep in thought.” Gram joined her at the railing and leaned against it.
“I am.” Jennie turned around to face the wind and the water. “Have you ever liked two guys at the same time?”
Gram smiled. “You mean like Ryan and Scott?”
Jennie nodded. “It seems like I’m always getting on Lisa’s case for being such a flirt. I really thought I loved Ryan, but we’ve only been apart for a couple of weeks, and I’m interested in Scott. It just doesn’t seem right.”
“Do you remember the little poems I used to share with you and Lisa when you two would disagree?”
Jennie nodded. “Lisa is like a butterfly. She flitters around from one place to another, and everywhere she goes people feel all the more blessed for her having been there.”
“And do you remember yours?”
Jennie smiled. “An eagle, steady, strong, and to the point. She flies ever upward to touch the sky, blessing others with her strength.”
“Lisa has her way of dealing with becoming a woman and being interested in the opposite sex. Now you’ll need to find yours. In the meantime, why don’t you try to relax and enjoy yourself? It’s not every day we have an opportunity like this.”
Jennie decided to take Gram’s advice. She was an eagle, not a mole, and today seemed perfect for a new adventure. With Scott’s help, Jennie and Gram learned the snorkeling basics. Scott carefully went over the rules and explained how fragile and vulnerable the coral reef ecosystem was.
“Most people don’t realize it,” Scott said, “but it can take years for some of these corals to grow one inch. Even touching the coral polyps can damage them.”
After giving thorough instructions, Scott helped Jennie and Gram into their float coats and issued them masks and snorkels. Fully equipped, they descended the boat ladder and dropped into the water. At the reef they were greeted by some of the most colorful fish Jennie had ever seen. Their neon stripes flashed as they darted playfully in and out of the sea grass and coral. Scott pointed out a sea turtle and a queen conch, which he’d explained earlier was an endangered species. Jennie could understand why. Any shell collector would find it hard to pass up the beautiful seven-inch shell.
After what seemed like only a few minutes, Scott signaled them back to the boat. They’d been in the water for over an hour. During the sail back to Key West, they talked about the different species they’d seen, and identified them on a plastic chart Gram had purchased on the wharf.
As they approached the dock area, Jennie took Gram aside. “I’ve been thinking about your suggestion to ask Scott to come with us to Dolphin Island. We should ask him,” Jennie said. “We must be good for him … at least you are. He’s so different from when we first met him.”
Gram nodded. “I could be wrong, but I think perhaps it’s because we’re offering him something he hasn’t had in a long time.”
Jennie frowned. “What?”
“Respect, friendship, a chance to prove himself. And maybe a feeling that someone cares about him. Last night when I asked him where he lived, he said his mom has a house in Orlando and his dad in Miami and that he lives somewhere in between.”
“Oh, Gram. That is so sad.”
“Yes. Yes, it is. What’s worse is that he thinks neither of them wants him.”
“So when are you going to ask him?”
“How about now?”
The surprise and excitement on Scott’s face as Gram asked him about accompanying them up north and possibly working at the research center on Dolphin Island was all the thanks either of them needed to know they’d made the right decision.
When they got back to the house, Gram called the Coles to let them know Scott would be there. Scott called Melissa and told her he wouldn’t be picketing Dolphin Playland for a while. During the rest of the afternoon and evening, Jennie sensed a change in Scott. After the phone call he seemed more subdued and maybe even a little nervous. Jennie began to wonder if he was having second thoughts.
After Gram had gone to bed, Jennie lingered in the living room, hoping he’d tell her what was bothering him. When he didn’t, she asked. “You look upset about something. Have you changed your mind about coming? You don’t have to, you know.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he snapped. His bristling attitude reminded her of their first meeting.
“Hey, I don’t care if you come or not. But if you do, at least try to act civilized. You’ve been sulking ever since that phone call you made to Melissa. Is she your girlfriend or something? Is she upset about you going?”
“No. She’s real excited about my going up there. Thought it was a great opportunity.”
Jennie leaned forward. “So what’s the problem?”
Scott gave her a long, hard look. “You don’t want to know.” He stood and headed out the door. “Don’t wait up.”
7
Jennie felt a sudden sense of loss and guilt. Had she hurt his feelings by saying she didn’t care whether or not he came? Or was it something else? Something to do with Melissa?
Jennie climbed the steps and paused at Gram’s bedroom. Should she tell her Scott had gone? No. Scott hadn’t taken his stuff, and that was a good sign. Maybe he just had to get away and think. There was no sense worrying her if that was the case.
Silent Witness Page 4
