Moonstone

by Marilee Brothers

  Revelle said, "It involves the kid with the moonstone. You know who I mean?

  I gave a Carmel-like snort of disgust. "Oh, yeah. Her! She's always over here sucking up to my mom like she's family or something." I paused for a minute. "Did you say millions?

  "Yeah, maybe more. Where do you want to meet?

  Oops! What was I thinking? I was seriously not cut out for espionage. Panicky, I looked at Junior.

  "Tell him to pick a place.

  I covered the receiver with my hand and whispered, "No way!

  "Just do it.

  I jotted down Revelle's information. My hand trembled as I set the phone down. We went to the window, cracked the drapes and watched the Escalade pull away.

  "Now what, smart guy?

  I was kinda pissed at Junior. Obviously, I couldn't show up at a coffee shop named Jumping Bean Espresso, in Vista Valley pretending to be Carmel.

  "Now, I talk to some people who owe me," Junior said with a wolf's grin. "Has Revelle ever seen Carmel?

  "No, but I'm pretty sure he knows she's not Hispanic.

  "Newsflash, Emerson. I know people who aren't beaners.

  He smiled to take the edge off the words. I looked at the floor, embarrassed.

  He put his hands on my shoulders and gave me a little shake. "I'll take care of it. You go to school like a good little girl.

  Damn! The last thing I wanted was for Junior to think of me as a good little girl. I jerked out of his grasp. "Hey, I'm the one with the moonstone. Don't give me that 'I'll take care of it' stuff.

  "Better you don't know.

  I glared at him. "I'm not a little kid, Junior ... remember, I'm the maid who's strong of mind.

  His face hardened again. "Then you better polish up that moonstone 'cause that's the only way you'll get the information out of me.

  We stared at each other for a long minute, neither of us blinking. Then, Junior took a deep breath, and the tension left his body. Right on cue, my stomach growled again.

  Junior grinned. "I'll go get the food.

  While I ate, he took his cell phone, stepped into the kitchen and shut the door like he was on some big, friggin' secret mission. Junior. Secret agent man. It's not like I couldn't keep my mouth shut. And who's problem was it, anyway!

  When he emerged from the kitchen, I was sitting on the sofa, still ticked off.

  "So what's the plan?" I asked.

  He sat down next to me and mulled it over for a while. Finally he said, "Okay, listen. There's this girl that owes me a favor...

  "Why?" I interrupted. "Why does she owe you a favor?

  Junior sighed. "See, I knew this would happen. Exactly why I didn't want to tell you.

  "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Go ahead.

  "You said Carmel was a good-looking blonde. This girl is too. And she's smart. She'll meet Revelle tomorrow and pose as Carmel. Then, we'll know what he's planning to do.

  I tried to get past the image of Junior and the goodlooking blonde who owed him a favor and think objectively, but it wasn't easy. It required a heavy-duty mental slap upside the head. Get real, Allie. Junior has a past. He knows lots of girls and he's trying his best to help you.

  "Okay," I said. "That might work.

  "So tell me everything you know about Carmel and her family.

  After I filled him in on Carmel, Kizzy, Magda and the moonstone, we watched The Sound of Music. About the time Maria was outfitting all the little Von Trapps in outfits made from window curtains, Junior fell asleep and slumped sideways with his head on the arm of the sofa. I threw caution to the wind and curled up next to him, my head on his chest. He shifted in his sleep and draped an arm across my body. Startled, I made a little sound and pulled away. Junior reached up with his free hand and patted my cheek. His voice was hoarse with sleep. "Relax. You're safe now. Go to sleep.

  I snuggled closer. Swear to God, my plan was this: cuddle with Junior for five minutes, then brush my teeth and bed down in Kizzy's guest room. But, the next thing I knew, it was morning. I awoke with sleep-jumbled thoughts and a left leg with no feeling in it. I thought I was back in the trailer in my couch bed. It felt funny, warmer than usual, and I heard static. I remember thinking Faye must have left the TV on. I opened one eye to check the time and was amazed to see sunlight streaming in through the tall, narrow windows flanking the fireplace in Kizzy's living room.

  Ohmigod, I'd slept with Junior! I rolled off the sofa and crashed to the floor with a little screech of surprise. Junior shot to his feet, instantly awake and poised for action. His gaze darted around the room, looking for danger.

  "What happened? Somebody try to get in?

  I rubbed my numb leg and tried to figure out what to say without sounding like a complete dork.

  "No, no, nothing like that," I stammered. "I just woke up and there you were, I mean, there we were, you know, together on the sofa, uh, sleeping...

  Junior looked down at me and grinned. He rubbed his eyes then held out a hand and hauled me to my feet. The grin grew into an outright chuckle.

  "Well, damn, Emerson. We spent our first night together.

  I snatched my hand away and sneaked a peek at my jeans. Zipper was up and locked. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment and confusion.

  "Okay, fine," I snapped. "You can stop laughing now." I glanced at the clock. "The bus will be here in twenty minutes. I need to take a shower and get ready.

  Junior sobered quickly and took a step back. An awkward silence hung between us, as thick and palpable as a storm cloud.

  "Yeah, well, I should get going too." He rubbed a bristly cheek. "I'll be at school later. See you then.

  I made a point of looking away while he gathered up empty fast food cartons, stuffed them into a paper bag and headed for the door. The same door I'd blown through last night, panicky and scared out of my wits. Straight into his arms.

  "Junior, wait!" I called softly.

  He turned toward me. His expression looked exactly like Uncle Sid's when Aunt Sandra was in one of her snits. Kinda like, "Damn, what got into her?" I felt like an ass.

  I cleared my throat. "Thanks, Junior. I was really scared last night. If it hadn't been for you, I would never have found the cedar chest. I really appreciate it.

  I was treated to a full-out, no holds barred, genuinely glorious Junior Martinez smile.

  "Don't mention it, kid. See ya later.

  He put his hand on the door knob then whirled suddenly and strode toward me.

  "Give me the moonstone.

  Startled, I took a step back. My hand flew up to cover the gemstone tucked inside my shirt.

  "No way. I'm supposed to wear it all the time. Kizzy said.

  Junior's eyes narrowed. "Don't argue. Just give it to me.

  I tilted my head back and glared at him. "What's your problem, Junior? You think you can run my life? The moonstone's mine. Now, back off!

  Junior blinked in surprise but he stepped back. He lifted his hands and grinned, "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.

  "I'm not scared. I'm mad!

  He brushed my cheek with the back of his knuckles. "I wanna keep you safe, Allie. As long as you have the moonstone, you're in danger. You heard what that Revelle guy said. He wants it. He and that other guy could hurt you bad.

  His voice was husky with emotion, his eyes soft and pleading.

  "What if they come in the middle of the night? Break into your trailer? They might even hurt your mom. I know you don't want that. Nobody will find it, if that's what you're worried about. I'll hide it good," he said.

  He took another step back and waited for my decision.

  I tried to sort it out in my mind. After reading the prophecy, I knew I was the Keeper, that I was meant to have the moonstone. But when Kizzy gave it to me, she didn't know about Revelle and his buddy. Junior was right. As long as Revelle and Baxter were around, Faye and I were in danger. The moonstone was my responsibility. I needed to keep it safe. My hands were shaking when I slipped the moonstone off and handed i
t to Junior, but, somehow, the decision felt right. However, I was still ticked off about Junior's macho behavior. I narrowed my eyes and glared. "One more thing, Junior. Stop bossing me around and acting like I don't have a brain in my head. Yeah, I was a little scared last night, and I'm glad you were here but I can take care of myself.

  Junior looked like he was trying not to laugh. "Got it.

  "Okay, then. I guess we're clear on that.

  Junior stuffed the moonstone in his pocket and headed for the front door.

  I watched him go, my hand automatically reaching up to hold the moonstone. Instead of its sleek, warm presence, I felt the thudding of my heart. I thought about the stone cutter and the prophecy, how every word of it had come to pass. Panic rose in my chest like startled birds. I hoped my choice had been the right one.

  I shivered as I recalled the words, Two paths appear. One brings great glory, the other death. I hope she chooses wisely.

  I breathed a little prayer. I hope so too, Nicolae.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I climbed on the school bus and smiled at Patti's greeting, "Good morning, gorgeous!" and did my best to ignore Cory Philpott sprawled in the first seat across the aisle from Patti, where she could keep an eye on him. The trouble-maker's seat. Cory had kept his promise not to bug Manny and Mercedes, but I was still fair game. No problem. I could handle Cory Philpott any old day of the week.

  Apparently he'd had a new dining experience, because he snickered and said, "Hey, Alfredo Sauce! How's your fettuccini?"

  I pretended to lose my balance and staggered sideways. My back pack swung around and whacked Cory in the head. He rubbed his head and glared at me.

  "That hurt, Allie.

  "Oh, did my back pack hit you? Sorry.

  I made my way down the aisle and slipped in next to Mercedes.

  Manny leaned across the aisle and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "Ya know those two ladies?

  "Two ladies?" I repeated, my mind still on Junior, the moonstone and the prophecy.

  "The ones who came to your house that night and want to put you in a foster home.

  I inhaled sharply and stared at Manny. "What about them?

  "I heard they're gonna be in Peacock Flats today." The air whooshed out of my lungs, and I shot to my feet.

  Faye! I had to warn her! I grabbed my back pack and lurched out into the aisle, almost falling when Patti rounded a sharp curve.

  Manny grabbed my arm to steady me. "It's okay, Allie. I told your mom. She knows.

  He blinked and looked away but not before I saw the pity in his eyes. I thanked him and settled back into my seat, a flush of embarrassment warming my cheeks. Last night had been "Big Ed night.

  How long did Manny have to pound on the door before Faye answered? Was she hung over and reeking of vodka? Were her eyes red from crying? Did she thank him? I wanted to know but couldn't ask. Mercedes picked up on my mood and stopped her interrogation.

  Once we got to school, a sense of relief swept through me.

  I'd had enough of the unexpected, the anxiety of being powerless, of not knowing which way to turn. I needed the familiar routine of fifty-five-minute class periods with fiveminute passing time and a forty-minute lunch break. So, I put the moonstone, Junior, the CPS ladies, the wholedarn thing out of my mind. Instead, I filled it with algebra formulas, Ms. Burke's cultural lesson of the dayOgenki desuka which means, How are you? in Japaneseand ran an extra lap in physical education.

  By lunchtime, I was shaky with hunger. Thankfully, Manny and Mercedes had two big thermoses of their mother's chicken and rice and well as a stack of homemade tortillas wrapped in foil. We sat outside at a picnic table next to the alley, the late spring sun warm on our faces.

  Diddy, our other lunch mate, gulped down his alfalfa sprout sandwich and headed for the cafeteria to practice his herky-jerky dance moves. Though he still clung to his ghettospeak, my classmates had come to accept him, sorta like you get used to an uncomfortable pair of shoes. They rub you the wrong way but you like them anyway.

  Manny and Mercedes each ate two tortillas heaped high with chicken and rice and left the rest for me. I was already on my third when I realized I was the only one eating. Embarrassed, I pushed the foil wrapped stack of tortillas over to Manny.

  "Naw, that's okay," Manny said. "We had a big breakfast." Mercedes giggled, "Girl, do I look like I'm going hungry?" She stood and waggled her chubby little butt in my face.

  Manny turned away, gazing out into the street, where two cars had pulled up, one a plain, tan sedan, the other a red Toyota Camry. Two men got out of the sedan. Both wore jeans, polo shirts and dark-blue baseball caps with white lettering.

  "Gang intervention," Manny said. "County guys. Wonder why they're here.

  I watched the two men walk toward the building. One Latino, one Caucasian. Husky guys with big, muscular arms and the flat, appraising gaze of law enforcement officers. Both ad guns on their hips. When they got to our table, they stopped and focused on Manny. The Latino guy said, "How ya doin,' kid? I'm Gabe." He paused and jerked his thumb at the other guy. "He's Ray. We're with the county gang intervention.

  Manny nodded solemnly. "Uh huh.

  "You know a kid named Junior Martinez?" Gabe said. I froze, my hand halfway to my mouth. Butterflies fluttered through my recently ingested lunch.

  Manny nodded, "Yeah, I know him.

  "He at school today?

  "Nope," Manny said.

  The tortilla fell from my nerveless hand, chicken and rice spilling out across the table top. Two curious gazes swung over to me, one set of brown eyes, the other blue. My stomach rolled with a sickening lurch. Ray braced one foot against the bench. He leaned toward me with a friendly smile and cold eyes. "What about you, honey? You know Junior?

  "I, uh, well, I..." I stammered. My lips felt numb.

  Involuntarily, I sucked in air with a loud, shuddering gasp. Ray grinned and exchanged a look with Gabe. "I think that's a yes.

  Manny stood up. "'Course she does. We all know him. Why you want him?

  But the men weren't looking at Manny. Their attention was focused on the low rider cruising slowly up the alley and into the parking lot. Junior's car. My fingers closed convulsively around the edge of the table. Should I call out? Warn him?

  But what if it was nothing bad? Maybe the men were here for another reason. Like to say, "Good job, Junior, for leaving the gang life behind." Somehow I didn't think that was the case.

  So I did nothing.

  Sonja Ortega had no such conflict. When Junior stepped out of his car, she called out, "Hey Junior, the cops are here." I shot to my feet. Junior's head swiveled back and forth between his car and the drug intervention team.

  "Noooo," The cry ripped from my throat and hung in the air between us. Junior's gaze locked onto mine. I saw the anguish in his eyes as the men sprinted toward him. I trailed behind them, followed by Manny and Mercedes. The kids who'd gone across the street to smoke, drifted closer. The men approached Junior cautiously. I heard Gabe say, "Somebody reported you hanging at an old lady's empty house last night. You carrying, Junior?

  Junior shook his head and lifted his hand, palms up. He stood stoically as the men patted him down, staring off into space, his chin jutted in defiance.

  Our principal, Mr. Hostetler, burst out of the building and trotted toward the men. "Hold it, guys. Are you arresting this boy?

  Before they could answer, Sonja Ortega peeled away from the crowd and yelled, "Yo, fuzz. He was with me." Emily Murphy, a pale-skinned, freckled redhead who'd apparently made Junior's list spoke up, "Like hell, Sonja. He was with me, and you know it.

  The two girls exchanged dirty looks. Emily pushed Sonja, who grabbed a handful of stringy red hair and screamed, "Keep your hands off me, bitch!

  The boys began to chant, "Chick fight! Chick fight!" Mr. Hostetler used his cell phone to call for reinforcements as the girls tumbled to the ground, throwing punches and screaming obscenities. Two teachers ran out and pulled them
apart. Sonja, still spoiling for a fight, shouted at Emily, "This isn't over! After school. The park.

  Mr. Hostetler clapped his hands and yelled, "Okay, everybody. Let's get to class.

  Somebody whined, "But the bell ain't rung yet." Hostetler ignored the comment and turned his attention to the gang-intervention guys. "What's this about? Is Junior in trouble?

  Gabe said, "We want to ask him some questions. We have a witness who saw a kid coming out of the Lovell house this morning. Description sounds like Junior. The neighbor thinks he broke in and was robbing the place.

  Sonja Ortega just wouldn't give up. "I told you, he was with...

  "Shut up, Sonja!" Junior snarled.

  I watched in horror and guilt as the men began to lead Junior away. This was all my fault. With my heart hammering in my chest, I stepped forward and yelled, "He didn't do anything wrong! He was with me!

  After a brief shocked silence, an excited murmur rippled through the crowd.

  "Knew she was a skank," Sonja told Emily. Both the girls glared at me with murder in their eyes.

  Ray raked me with a curious glance before turning back to Junior. "You got yourself a whole lotta groupies, kid. Part of your gang? Makes it a little hard to believe anything you say, though.

  Junior's eyes glittered and a knotted muscle twitched in his jaw. Through clenched teeth, he spoke to Gabe. "I did my time. I'm out of the gang. Talk to my PO if you don't believe me.

  This wasn't going well. I had to do something else. I walked over to Mr. Hostetler and tugged on his sleeve. "Mr. Hostetler, I was there, in Kizzy's house, and so was Junior. I can clear this up." I looked around at the crowd of students pressing in. Some looked at me with pity, some with avid curiosity and others with downright hostility. "But not out here.

  Mr. Hostetler stared at me for a long moment, then gave a brief nod. "Go to my office and wait.

  It took most of the afternoon to sort it out. Junior was put in a separate room where Kizzy's neighbor, Mrs. Hawkins, identified him as the person she'd seen leaving Kizzy's house.

  She was then brought into Mr. Hostetler's office, where I leaned against the wall looking like a prisoner waiting for the firing squad. When asked if she knew me, she said, "Of course I know her. She's Kizzy's friend, Allie. Allie stays with Kizzy every Thursday night.