A memory of the stalker’s phone call eased out of its cell and hung in her mind like a ghostly apparition. Tell Allison she can’t escape. Wherever she goes, whatever she does. I’ll be there. And if you and that snoopy cousin of yours try to stop me, I’ll get you too.
At that moment Mom pulled into the driveway and Jennie shooed the unwanted memory back into hiding.
“Oh, Jennie, I’m glad you’re home.” Mom staggered through the back door with a bag of groceries and a box of laundry detergent the size of a football field. “You can help me bring in the groceries.”
“Oh goodie, my favorite thing to do.” Jennie grabbed the box and deposited it in the laundry room off the kitchen, then followed her mother out to the car and reached into the trunk for a couple of bags. “Whoa, what’d you do, invite the whole neighborhood to dinner?”
Mom laughed. “Not quite. Some of this stuff is for the camping trip. And Michael will be eating meals with us for the next few days while his landlord remodels his kitchen.”
The news excited Jennie about as much as eating raw liver, but she wasn’t about to argue. Besides, the solution was simple enough. She’d just spend the next few days with Lisa. Even though the idea rankled, Jennie couldn’t resist a jibe. “Mom, Michael’s a guy—you know, a homosapien—not an elephant.”
“I know, I just wanted to be sure I had enough.”
They carried the groceries in and began stashing them. “I’ll help you put these away, Mom, but then I’ve got to get going.” She explained about Jerry’s arrest and arraignment.
Jennie pulled a couple cans of tomato sauce from the sack and stacked them in the cupboard. “I don’t think he’s the stalker.”
“That’s what Michael says.”
“Michael?” Jennie paused. “What does Michael have to do with it?”
“Jerry called him last night after he’d been arrested. Michael’s been working with him and his mother ever since—getting a lawyer, arranging bail. He told me about it when he came by for breakfast this morning.”
“He’s a regular Clark Kent, isn’t he? Bet he’s got a great big S tattooed on his chest.”
“Jennie.” Mom frowned and tossed a bag of marshmallows on the counter. “That was uncalled for. Michael cares about people. Besides, like he told me, he’s the youth director now and the kids need him.” Her voice trailed off.
“I know. But he’s always around. A month ago I didn’t even know Michael Rhodes, now I feel like I can’t even brush my teeth without having him tell me when to spit.”
Mom tipped her head. “Isn’t that a slight exaggeration?”
“Mom, the man actually signed me up for the youth retreat. Where does he get off?”
“You can’t blame Michael for that. I told him you were coming with us. Michael just passed the information along to Jerry.” Mom heaved a sigh that seemed to come from her toes. “Don’t fight me on this, Jennie. It isn’t easy for me either. There are times when I’m so sure I’ve made the right decision to marry him. Other times…I just don’t know.”
“You mean you’re having second thoughts? You might not get married?” All of a sudden Jennie wanted to hear more. Outside she tried to look calm and concerned. Inside she was doing cartwheels and jumping up and down yelling, Yes! Yes! Yes!
Mom tore open a bag of chips and ate one. “I don’t know. I love Michael. I’m just not sure we’re right for each other.”
“Why?”
Mom took the chips to the table, sat down, and slipped her shoes off. Jennie eased into the seat next to her. “It’s hard to explain. Michael is the sweetest, dearest man I’ve ever known. He’s thoughtful and considerate.”
She paused to nibble on another chip. “I suppose I’m being selfish. I don’t mean to be, but lately he’s been spending so much time at the church and with the kids. Oh, I know a new job takes extra time, but…I guess I’m afraid he’s going to become so consumed by his work he won’t have time for family.”
Jennie stiffened. Mom wasn’t just talking about Michael anymore. She was criticizing Dad. Jennie started to object when her mother spoke again.
“I’m sure it will work out. At least he assures me it will. At any rate, since we asked you to set the date, I thought you should know. I, ah…” Mom got up and headed back to the groceries still littering the counter, but not before Jennie noticed the tears forming in her eyes. “I told Michael I wanted to wait for at least a year. I think I’ll need at least that long, maybe longer. I don’t want to make the same…Well, never mind. I know you’re anxious to get to court so you’d better get ready.”
…Didn’t want to make the same mistake again. That’s what her mom had started to say. Jennie vacillated between being upset with her for putting Dad down and rejoicing over the delay in wedding plans. She finally decided on being happy. As soon as she reached her room she picked up her dad’s picture. “Looks like we got a reprieve, Pop. Now all I have to do is find you.” A voice from somewhere deep inside dampened her joy with a harsh reminder. You may not find him, McGrady. And even if you do, there’s no guarantee your mom will take him back. Or that he’ll come home.
Jennie pushed the negative thoughts aside and glanced at her watch. One o’clock. Fifteen minutes later Jennie did one last mirror check—white tailored shirt, clean jeans, loafers, hair, eyes— “Yep, they’re all there.” She grabbed her purse, keys, and Jerry’s hat and headed downtown to the courthouse.
The arraignment process had already begun. Jennie slipped in through the double doors at the back of the courtroom. Lisa, Allison, and Mr. Beaumont were sitting in the second row behind Jerry. Two rows behind them were Paige and Eddie. Rocky sat on an aisle row to her left, three rows from the back. A lot of people for an arraignment, and Jennie had a hunch they weren’t all there to lend support.
Not wanting to disrupt the proceedings by walking up front, Jennie took the aisle seat in the back row. It wasn’t until the man next to her touched her arm that she realized she was sitting next to Michael. He smiled and leaned his head toward hers. “Jerry will be glad to see you. He needs all the support he can get.”
Jennie closed her eyes and nodded. Weird. That was the best word Jennie could come up with to describe her feelings at that moment. She wasn’t angry at Michael for being there. She didn’t feel annoyed that once again he’d interfered in her life. Actually, she was glad. Jerry did need all the help he could get. In fact, she didn’t feel much of anything—except maybe thankfulness that Michael had been there for Jerry. Amazing what a little talk with one’s mother could do.
“What’s going on?” Jennie whispered as she watched two men in suits talking in hushed tones to the judge.
“I’m not sure. I think his lawyer is trying to get the case dismissed. That’s going to be tough though. When the police searched Jerry’s truck they found a tube of red lipstick and Mr. Beaumont’s missing gun in the glove box.”
15
“Someone framed him,” Jennie told Officer Donovan when she caught up with him on the courthouse steps. “And I can prove it.” She dug through her oversized leather bag and produced a plastic bag containing the lipstick she’d found in Allison’s bathroom. “I don’t know where the tube came from that you found in Jerry’s truck, but this is the one that was used to write the message on Allison’s mirror. I…um…I meant to give it to you yesterday and forgot.”
The corner of Donovan’s mouth twitched as though he were trying to keep a straight face. “Quite the detective, aren’t you? Even bagged it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t prove a thing.”
“But I found it…”
“Jennie…” Donovan ran a hand through his hair and stroked his head as though he were trying to stimulate his mind for the right words. “I believe you. It’s just not the kind of evidence that would hold up in court. Who’s to say you didn’t just buy it to help your friend out? Now, if you’d turned it in right
away it might have made a difference.”
Jennie winced. “I meant to, but…I guess it doesn’t matter. I blew it.” Jennie handed him the bag. “Couldn’t you at least check it for fingerprints?”
Donovan took the bag and examined it. “Probably wouldn’t do much good. It’s hard to get good prints off something like this.” He lowered his arm. “Besides, it’s not the lipstick that will convict your friend. It’s the gun.”
“But if someone planted the lipstick, doesn’t it make sense that the gun was planted as well?”
“I’m sorry, Jennie—for you and your friend. It’s always hard to accept the fact that someone you know has committed a crime. But as far as the department is concerned the case is closed.”
Jennie started to tell him about her discussion with the elderly couple and the other gray car, but didn’t. He wouldn’t have believed her anyway. The investigation may be over for you, but as far as I’m concerned it has only just begun. Jennie hadn’t made the statement aloud, but Donovan seemed to have heard it anyway. “Don’t be doing anything foolish, Jennie.”
Jennie glared at him and walked away, pausing at the last step. She glanced up at the courthouse doors, wondering whether or not to go back inside. The judge had released Jerry into Michael’s custody and had set bail at $10,000. As soon as the papers were signed and the bail bond paid, Jerry would be free to go home. She wished they’d hurry.
The sound of muffled voices caught her attention. Donovan and Rocky were standing near the corner of the building. Jennie paused for a moment to watch them. She was too far away to hear what they were saying, but their gestures and the scowl on Rocky’s face told her they were arguing. About what? At that moment Rocky’s gaze caught hers. The anger in his eyes flickered and died like the blaze on a birthday candle. Jennie glanced away.
When she looked back Donovan was walking toward the parking lot, and Rocky had joined the group coming out of the courthouse. Allison appeared first, with Jerry on one arm and her father on the other. Lisa and Michael came out right behind them, then Paige and Eddie.
“Daddy, please,” Allison pleaded. “Let me stay and talk to him for a few minutes.”
“I’d rather you came home with me.”
“I’ll be fine.” She glanced around. Her gaze settled on Jennie. “Jennie and Lisa will bring me home. I’ll be safe with them.”
Mr. B looked at Jennie. The weariness and indecision in his eyes startled her. “It’s okay, Mr. Beaumont,” Jennie said, hoping she was doing the right thing. “Lisa and I will see that she gets home okay.”
Mr. B nodded. “All right, but don’t be too long.” He moved along the step to where Rocky stood and started talking to him in hushed tones. He was probably telling Rocky to make certain they got back okay, Jennie decided. She made a mental note to talk with Mr. B. later, then turned her attention back to the others.
Jerry had somehow extricated himself from Allison’s grip and was shaking Michael’s hand. “Thanks. I don’t know what I would have done without your help.”
Michael pulled Jerry into an embrace and patted his back, then released him. “Just glad we were able to get you out.”
“I’ll pay ya’ll back…I mean it. You too, Eddie. If you guys hadn’t come up with the bail money…I don’t know what I’d have done. Mom needs me at the farm and…”
“Hey, man,” Eddie said as he squeezed Jerry’s shoulder, “what are friends for? You’ve come through for me plenty of times on the court.”
Jennie frowned. While Eddie and Jerry had played basketball together, she’d never noticed them being especially close. Had something happened recently to change that? Looked like she’d be asking a lot of questions at the party tonight.
“Eddie…” Paige tentatively touched his sleeve.
“We have an appointment, remember?”
Jennie caught a brief look of annoyance in his features, but by the time he’d turned to face Paige, they’d softened.
He glanced at his watch. “We’ll make it.” He reached out to shake Michael’s hand. “Been thinking about what you said yesterday, and…well, me and Paige decided we’d like to go to that retreat your church is having.”
Michael pumped Eddie’s hand. “That’s great. I know you’ll have a good time.”
When Paige and Eddie had gone, Jerry turned to Jennie. He smiled broadly. “See you brought my hat.”
Jennie glanced down at her hand. “Yeah. Thought you might need it.” She plopped it on his head and reached out to hug him. Behind the cheerful attitude and ready smile, Jennie could read the worry in his eyes. She squeezed his hand to let him know she understood.
Allison took Jerry’s arm again and drew him away as if laying claim to him. Jennie smiled at that. Allison didn’t need to worry about her.
“Jerry,” Allison said, “I want you to come to the party tonight.”
“I don’t know if I can. I got a lot of work to do at home. Besides, parties aren’t exactly my thing.”
“Please come. I’d really like you to be there.”
“But what about your dad? He’s been really nice…even helped with the bail money. Michael talked to him, but I don’t think he trusts me.”
“Well, I do.” She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Call me later.”
“I hate to break this up, kids,” Michael said as he rested a hand on Jerry’s shoulder. “We’d better clear out of here before they arrest all of us for loitering.”
Since the police were still holding Jerry’s truck, Jennie offered him a ride home. “I’ll take him,” Michael insisted. “I need to talk with Mrs. Shepherd about some things.”
A few minutes later, Jennie buckled her seat belt and put the Mustang in reverse. “I take it you and Jerry got things straightened out,” Jennie said to Allison’s reflection in the rearview mirror.
Allison nodded. “Lisa and I came in to see him after you left this morning. He explained what had happened.” She paused to tuck some glistening strands of hair behind her ear. “I feel so awful. I can’t imagine why he’d get the idea I wouldn’t like him. Do you guys really think I act like a snob?”
“Of course not,” Lisa soothed. “It’s just because you’re shy. Jennie has the same problem.”
“What do you mean?” Jennie’s defenses sprang to attention. “I don’t have a problem.”
“Sure you do,” Lisa said, lifting her heavy curls off her neck. “Well, it’s not a problem exactly. It’s just your personality.” Lisa laughed and turned back to Allison. “Gram says I’m a social butterfly. She calls Jennie an eagle because she’s more cautious.”
Jennie pulled out of the parking space and eased into the traffic. Now that she knew where Lisa was going with it, she played along. “Which simply means I usually get to know people before I make a fool of myself, whereas my dear cousin here…”
Lisa playfully socked Jennie’s arm. “Which means,” she corrected, “you avoid talking to people you don’t know very well, they think you’re either a snob or that you don’t like them.”
Jennie eyed Allison in the mirror again. She’d apparently tuned out their banter. “Allison?” Jennie asked. “Are you all right?”
“What?” Allison made brief eye contact then looked away. “Oh…I’m okay. Just worried about Jerry. I know he hasn’t done anything wrong. But how in the world are we going to prove it?”
Allison’s question burrowed itself in Jennie’s mind like a stubborn tick. You’ve solved mysteries before, she kept reminding herself, you can solve this one as well.
Since the party was scheduled to start at four-thirty, the girls had barely enough time to get ready. The party had basically two stages. The first part included talking, swimming, and a barbecue. Later, around seven-thirty or eight, they’d go up to the guest bedrooms, one set up for the boys, the other for the girls, and change into dress clothes for a forma
l candlelight dessert. The Beaumont’s had hired a local band to provide the entertainment.
Jerry arrived at four. Since Allison was busy helping set up the pool area, Jennie let him in. “I wasn’t going to come,” he admitted, “but Michael talked me into it. Said it might be good for me-take my mind off my troubles. He took me home and helped me do some chores, then brought me back.” Jerry held up a garment bag and guitar case. “Allison told me to bring these. Where do I stash ‘em?”
Jennie led the way to the boys’ guest room and opened the closet door. “You’re lucky, Jen,” he said over his shoulder as he hung up his clothes.
“Me?”
“Yeah. Your mom marrying Michael and all. He’ll make a great stepdad.”
Jennie couldn’t think of anything to say. Her usual caustic thoughts didn’t come, and that bothered her. Was her attitude toward Michael changing? Was she starting to accept him? No, she reasoned. You just don’t have to worry about him anymore. The more Michael gets involved in his work, the less likely Mom will be to marry him. Jennie smiled. “Yep. He’s a regular Clark Kent.”
When she took Jerry back downstairs, Allison practically tackled him. After introducing him to her mom, she put him to work carrying trays of food out to the tables they’d placed around the patio. From four-thirty to five a steady stream of kids poured in. Jennie stopped counting at thirty. According to Allison, during the course of the evening they’d have about a hundred—too many people for Jennie to deal with at one time. She fought back the urge to go home by reminding herself she had people to talk to and a certain file to read.
After playing volleyball and cooling off in the pool, Jennie went in to change out of her suit. When she came back downstairs she caught Mr. Beaumont coming out of his office. Perfect timing, McGrady. Talk to him. Right—but what would she say? Hey, Mr. B, I’m investigating your daughter’s case. Wonder if we could have a chat. No, that wouldn’t work. She couldn’t let him know what she was doing. He’d probably kick her out. Jennie wished she could talk as well to others as she did to herself. She held up a hand to stop him. “Mr. Beaumont.” Well at least she’d gotten that much out. “I was hoping to get a chance to talk with you.”
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