Undercover Justice

by Laura DeLanoy

  Up until now, the only criminal I have known has been the kindergarten bully. Now in less than a week, I have had one criminal threatening me and my friends, and possibly another criminal threatening my heart.

  I sent a quick prayer to God asking that he protect me and my friends from Martin, help the police catch him, and show me what to do about my feelings for Jed.

  Chapter 8

  As we pulled into the school parking lot Monday, my heart started pounding, as I thought about seeing Jed again. I had thought of nothing else all weekend.

  Climbing out of the Camaro, Kent and I headed over to the courtyard. Kent enjoyed getting to school early, so that he could play a game of football with his friends. Remembering my black eye from a week ago, I smiled ruefully at the group of guys waiting for him to play. I decided to sit on the other side of the fountain today to get out of the line of fire.

  Before we could reach the fountain, a dark figure pushed away from a large oak tree.

  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked me.

  Jed. I immediately recognized his masculine voice and the confident almost catlike way he approached. Looking at Kent, who shrugged and went off to join his friends, I braced myself for the emotional as well as physical rush of being near Jed.

  Getting right to the point, he asked, “I heard you were cornered at the mall Saturday. Are you ok? Were you hurt?” Concern was evident in his voice.

  “I’m fine,” I said, his concern reminding me how dangerous it could have been.

  “Good. What were you thinking?” he said loudly, stepping closer to me. “The next time someone is following you, run toward people, not away from them into a deserted area.”

  “Thanks, I kind of figured that out for myself,” I said sarcastically.

  A look of regret crossed his face. Stepping closer, he reached out and brushed a lock of hair off my face.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell at you, I was just worried. He could have hurt you. That sort of man can be very dangerous.”

  “Like you?” I said stepping away from him.

  “You think I’m dangerous?” he asked wryly. Maybe his charade was working a little too well.

  Nodding, my heart stuck in my throat. How did I explain that I didn’t think he was as dangerous to my health, as much as to my heart?

  Shaking his head, he said grinning rakishly. “No, it’s you who’s the dangerous one.”

  Laughing, I said, “Yeah, dangerous to who?”

  His eyes connect with mine, and he said huskily, “To me.”

  The school bell rang. Knowing I was getting in too deep, I picked up my bag and started slowly backing toward the door not wanting to break eye contact with Jed.

  I turned away when I backed up against the fountain. Heading up the path toward the doors, I turned back one last time. I saw Jed still in the same spot as when I had left him. He hadn’t moved an inch. His intense gaze was still locked on me, watching me walk away. I felt nervous, but at the same time, protected, very different from Kent’s over protectiveness. Not wanting to dwell on the difference, I quickly opened the door and headed to class.

  “That guy is bad news,” a friend of Kent’s told him, as they watched Nora walk away from Jed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve heard that he has a record and that he is one dangerous dude. The way he’s looking at her...man, I wouldn’t let my sister near him.”

  “Thanks, man,” Kent said slapping his friend on the back. “I’ll be sure to have a talk with Nora.

  As Jed watched Nora walk away he had to fight the urge to go after her. He had a feeling the danger was just beginning. Lieutenant Davis called last night and filled Jed in on what had happened at the mall. Somehow Nora and the project group were now involved in the whatever was going on in this community that was causing local teens to vanish.

  Jed hadn’t slept much the night before; he knew what Martin Vecelli was capable of. In his first month on the job, he and his training officer had responded to an assault that they were almost positive was Vecelli’s handiwork, but couldn’t prove it. Jed clenched his fists just thinking about Martin coming after Nora.

  Knowing he had to walk into social studies, and pretend there was nothing wrong, he took a few extra minutes to calm himself down. He wasn’t too worried about being late to class. What was the worst they would do? Tell the Lieutenant?

  Right before the final bell rang signaling the start of school, Ollie came rushing in to class excitedly. Glancing quickly around the room, before coming over to take a seat near me, he whispered, “Where’s Jed?”

  I shrugged. How was I supposed to know?

  “I think I found a clue,” he said excitedly. “Let’s meet after class in the hall near the cafeteria. Can you tell Charlotte? I‘ll let Kent know and Jed if he gets here. I was really hoping to show him especially.”

  I could hardly pay attention to what Ms. Morley was saying about the projects. My curiosity was too high. I kept looking at Ollie hoping for a hint of what he had found.

  “Mr. Greyson, so good of you to finally join us. Won’t you take a seat, so that we can continue?” Ms. Morley said slightly annoyed at the interruption.

  Apologizing for being late, Jed found the last remaining seat in the front sitting next to none other than Vanessa. Wonderful. The second he sat down, she started in on her prom campaign. I couldn’t watch. It was making me sick. Looking down at my notebook, I started to doodle.

  Ms. Morley gave us a paper to work on with the person sitting next to us. It was a study guide for next week’s test. Charlotte was sitting next to me, so I turned toward her. I made sure that my back faced the front corner where Jed sat working with Vanessa.

  Jed’s deep chuckle sounded through the room. Jealousy reared its ugly head again. I don’t have any claim on Jed, but I certainly don’t want Vanessa to be with him. Sneaking a look over my shoulder, I saw them both looking at me. It was obvious that they were talking about me and…laughing at me.

  I was surprised at how much it hurt. I know that Jed has found me amusing since he first met me, but it was different when he was laughing about me with Vanessa.

  My face must have shown what I felt, because Charlotte leaned over and grabbed my hand. “Don’t let Vanessa hurt you. You don’t know what they’re laughing at, so don’t think the worst. Give Jed a little credit. He strikes me as a smart guy. He will see through Vanessa. Let’s get our sheet done and ignore them.”

  Nodding I said quietly, “What are they doing now?” I just had to know if they were still looking at me. I couldn’t help it.

  Looking over at the pair, Charlotte hid a grin behind her hand and turned so she was hidden by me. “Ah oh, it looks like Jed saw your reaction. He looks worried.” Peering around me, she laughed. “His eyes are locked on you, he isn’t paying any attention to Vanessa, and she is pulling out all the stops. Yup, there goes her sweater. She’s taking off her itty bitty sweater which leaves her wearing her itty bitty low cut tank top,” Charlotte said rolling her eyes.

  I started to turn around. “No don’t turn around, don’t give her the satisfaction of seeing jealousy in your eyes. Besides, let Jed stew. Oooh, Vanessa is starting to get mad! Jed isn’t paying any attention to her,” Charlotte grinned.

  “You’re right. Let’s get this done and then see if Ollie is ready to tell us about what he saw,” I said telling Charlotte what Ollie had said before class started. I was still hurt at Jed for laughing at me. But I will admit that because he was ignoring Vanessa, it made me feel slightly better.

  The study guide didn’t take long to fill out. Ms. Morley’s tests were always very easy. Sometimes I got the feeling that she didn’t care about tests. She was really big on term papers and projects; she felt that we learned best from hands on research. They made up most of our grade. The tests were almost for show. Maybe she worried about what the principle would think if she didn’t give the class tests.

  Looking over at Kent, it lo
oked like he and Ollie had finished and were deep in a discussion about something. Ollie was writing something on a piece of paper and Kent was studying it intently. Shaking his head about whatever Ollie was telling him, Kent looked a little worried.

  Curious, I tried to get Kent’s attention. He was too focused to notice me. Sighing, I asked Charlotte if she had heard anything more about Mark, the boy who had disappeared.

  “No, Mr. Cotter said that his parents are worried sick and keep asking him if anyone from our Science Club had talked to him before he disappeared, or has heard from him since.”

  “Do you know anything else about him? There has got to be something that ties the missing boys together.”

  “I didn’t really talk to him much. I do know that he was hoping to ask a girl in his math class to prom, but didn’t have the money for the tickets. He was trying to sell some of his game systems and computer games to the other guys to earn the money.”

  “He mentioned needing money to those guys who beat him up. That has to be it. He must have been doing something for them to make money. But what?”

  “Excuse me, Ms. Morley, could you send Jed Greyson to the principal’s office,” a voice over the class intercom said.

  Pushing the button, Ms. Morley replied back, “Certainly.”

  Turning to Jed, she said, “You are excused. Just make sure you have your work done.”

  Gathering up his things, Jed started walking toward the door. I saw him glance over at me. He was interrupted by Ollie before we could make eye contact. Ollie said something to Jed who nodded and slapped him on the back, before walking out of the room with his long confident strides.

  Why did he have to go to the principal’s office? It seemed like Jed was out of class, more than he was actually in.

  The rest of class went pretty fast. Jed never came back in, but when we all met at the bulletin board by the cafeteria in between classes, Jed was there waiting for us.

  I dragged my feet, not eager to face Jed. I was kind of embarrassed about how I acted in class. I shouldn’t let things like that bother me, and I had not acted very kindly by ignoring Jed. I wouldn’t blame him if he was offended.

  Glancing hesitantly up at Jed, I was startled when he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him. “Will you let me explain?” he asked quietly.

  Nodding, I waited to hear what he had to say.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Vanessa was just telling me about the time when you were freshman and both tried out for the cheerleading squad. I could so see you doing that.” At my groan, he lifted my chin up to look me straight in the eyes. “I like that about you, I like that you make me laugh. It feels good. Please forgive me.”

  I quickly assured him that there was nothing to forgive. I gave him a small smile and my apology for being rude. It wasn’t until much later that I realized that I should have been apologizing for being jealous.

  I was still embarrassed about the cheer incident. I had decided that I was going to try out for the cheerleading squad. I didn’t really know anything about it, but I thought it would make me more popular. I showed up to the first tryout along with about two dozen other freshman girls. When the coach asked us to show her our routine, I realized that I was in way over my head. I had never done a cheer in my life, and I hadn’t known to practice one. Needless to say, it wasn’t pretty. I can’t even remember what I shouted in my made up cheer, but everyone found it hilarious. I think maybe when I knocked over the water cooler with my impromptu high kick it set everyone off. I never was good at making up stuff on the spot.

  Hearing a ‘ah hum’ from Ollie, I turned toward him.

  “Can we get focused people?” he said, trying to get us to pay attention to what he was showing us.

  I felt Jed move closer to me, until he was almost touching me. I felt one of his arms snake around my waist pulling me closer to him. For one brief second, I allowed myself to lean into his warmth before glancing up and catching my brother’s eye.

  It didn’t take a genius to realize that Kent didn’t find it as great as I did. Looking pointedly at Jed’s arm around my waist he raised his eyebrow at Jed. Jed responded by pulling me closer. Putting my hand on Jed’s chest, I smiled up at him before gently stepping out of his embrace. Even though I enjoyed it, I knew that it wasn’t proper. Looking up at Jed pleadingly, hoping he wouldn’t take offense, I was relieved when he gave me a wink and grabbed my hand instead. It felt good that he knew my boundaries and didn’t try to challenge them.

  Turning our attention to Ollie, we listened to what he had to say. Kent clearly knew everything already, because right away he told Ollie, “Don’t even think about suggesting it.”

  Ignoring Kent, Ollie went on.

  “This is the same symbol we found on the paper in Room 35.”

  Sure enough, a piece of white paper with the same open book with the letter’s P and H, hanging from the board. On it was written, ‘Do you need money?” Below that was a phone number.

  “I think I should contact this number and find out what they say,” Ollie told us. “Kent thinks it’s too dangerous and we should leave it to the police.”

  I started to give my opinion, but Ollie interrupted me. Looking at Jed expectantly, Ollie said, “What do you think?”

  Well that was rude. Jed must have felt me getting worked up about it, because he leaned down and brushed his lips against my ear and whispered, “Relax, there slim.”

  Like I could relax after his lips brushed against my ear. Not to mention how worried I am about my friends and the danger we were in. Men, I thought, stomping on his toe, don’t you tell me to relax, buddy.

  Grinning down at me, Jed tightened his grip and pulled me closer subtly, so that no one could tell.

  “I think that Ollie should go for it. All he has to do is call the number. Do not agree to meet, just find out what they say. We need some more information,” Jed said.

  Charlotte looked at me expectantly. I nodded, so she told everyone about Mark needing money for prom, and reminded them about what we had overheard him saying.

  “Good work, girls,” Jed said, stressing the word girls, for my benefit. “Ollie. Can you give them a call tonight?” At Ollie’s nod, Jed continued, “Good, let’s plan on meeting again tomorrow after school. Unless you hear from them tonight and then I want to know about it.”

  “I’ll give you a call tonight either way. Ok Jed?”

  “Thanks. We better get to class,” Jed said letting my hand go with a light squeeze. His eyes warm as they looked down at me.

  “Come on,” Kent said, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Jed while giving him another glare. “You don’t want to be late for your next class.”

  Yes I do, I thought, remembering the feel of Jed’s warm hand in mine.

  Glaring up at Kent after we were out of earshot, I demanded, “What’s the matter with you? I thought you liked Jed.”

  “Yeah, well let’s just say, I was enlightened about him.”

  “Like what?” I demanded. “Whatever he said to you at our project meeting the other day you seemed to like.”

  Tipping his head, he acknowledged that.

  “Well, what did he say to you?” I wanted to know. Honestly, it was like pulling teeth to get him to talk.

  “He said he liked you and promised that he wouldn’t hurt you, among a few other things. Look, I just know some things now about him that you don’t. I don’t think it is a good idea to get involved with him.”

  Exasperated, I demanded, “Has he done anything that has made you think that? Or has it just been gossip?”

  “Ok, I admit it has just been gossip, so far,” Kent said reluctantly.

  “Kent, I like him,” I said pleadingly. “Please just give him a chance. I promise that I will take things really slow. I just want to get to know him better.”

  “How much better?” Kent asked skeptically.

  “Kent!” I said annoyed.

  “Ok, Ok, I promise to give him a chance,�
� he said.

  “Thanks, Kent,” I said, reaching up to kiss his cheek, before heading into my class.

  “But, I won’t like it,” Kent mumbled to himself walking away.

  Getting on his motorcycle, Jed headed back to the station. He had gotten called down to the principal’s office, because of a phone call. On the phone had been the Lieutenant calling to let Jed know about a new development in the case.

  Now he had to run down to the station. The kids at the school were never going to believe he was a student. He had yet to actually finish a whole day of class.

  This time it couldn’t be helped. The body of the first missing boy had just been found by a hiker. It had been dumped in the local park.

  Chapter 9

  After a long grueling day, going over the crime scene, there had been debriefing. Then he had to write a piece about the flyer Ollie found and put it in the case file. Jed was glad to see the farm come into view. All he wanted to do was get on his horse Saber and ride for a long time. It was one of Jed’s favorite stress relievers.

  He was worried about Ollie. He hadn’t heard from him since he left school, almost two hours ago. From what he remembered about his cousin from when they were younger, Ollie didn’t hesitate to stick his nose where it wasn’t wanted.

  Walking in the door, the mouth-watering aroma of Betty’s marinated pork roast filled the air. It had been one of Jed’s grandfather’s favorite meals. Jed could feel the tension starting to seep out of his shoulders as the warm familiar memories surrounded him.

  Giving Betty as kiss on her cheek, he dropped his things on a chair in the kitchen and flipped through the mail, he said, “It smells good. Do I have time to take a ride before dinner’s ready?”

  “Sure, you go on ahead. Skip’s out in the barn checking on the mare that’s ready to foal. Can you tell him one hour until dinner, while you’re out there?”

  “Will do,” Jed said grabbing a pop out of the fridge and heading out the door.