Vanessa glared at me as I scooted around her. I sort of felt sorry for her. She was apparently on a date with Tyler and he had just asked me to dance. On top of that, Jed, who she had had her sights on, had made it clear that we were together.
Ok, I lied. It felt great.
A slow song was just starting, as Jed pulled me onto the dance floor and took me in his arms. I melted against him, savoring the feeling. “You look happy,” he whispered in my ear as we swayed to the love song.
“I am,” I whispered back.
Softly kissing me, he said, “I’m glad. So am I.”
As that slow song turned into a faster one, I was prepared for Jed to walk off the dance floor, until another slow song started, like most guys did. Instead he smoothly moved with me into a sizzling rhythm of swaying and stepping. I was impressed and told him so.
“My grandfather was old-fashioned. He said that any man who couldn’t dance with his woman, was not worthy of having a woman.”
“I wish I could have met him,” I said smiling, “He sounds like a very smart man. I would have thanked him for the foresight.”
“He was,” Jed said wrapping me in his arms and drawing me close. “Very smart,” he said bringing his head down to expertly kiss me tenderly until my knees weakened and I had to cling to his shoulders before I fell on my butt in the middle of the dance floor.
Grinning, he pulled back and said, “Don’t let me do that again,ok. It’s getting harder and harder to stay away from you.”
“Who said you had to?” I returned.
“I did,” he said spinning me around as another song started.
Secretly I was glad. It usually killed the date and any potential for a second date, when I explained that I wasn’t that type of girl, and they weren’t getting what they thought they were going to.
Relived, I threw myself into dancing and having a good time. It felt good to know that I wasn’t expected to repay him for anything at the end of the night. I think I fell in love with him at that moment.
“You ready? I thought we could go take in the sunset,” Jed asked after we had gone back to our table to get a drink and pay the bill. “Then, I better get you home, before your dad sends out the cavalry.”
I grinned, knowing he meant Kent. “That sounds good.”
Picking up my purse, we headed for the door. I glanced over at Vanessa and Tyler sitting on the other side of the stage. They didn’t seem to be having a great time. Vanessa was looking longingly at the dance floor and Tyler was looking longingly at…me? Quickly turning away, I followed Jed out the door. I wasn’t the least bit interested in Tyler anymore.
“What’s that on the car?” I asked, as we got closer to the Camaro. A large white envelope was tucked behind the wiper on the driver’s side. Jed strode over to it and grabbed it, turning it over looking for a name. There was nothing on it. Opening it, he pulled out a sheet of paper. It was typed on a computer. It simply said, ‘Check the dumpster by the paper factory in Clyde. This is what will happen to you, if you don’t stop sticking your nose where it’s not wanted.’ Feeling something else in the envelope Jed pulled out a picture. Looking down at it, he cursed angrily. It was a picture of him kissing Nora under the tree near his house. Someone had scrawled ‘Found her. Can’t wait to find out if she’s as good as she looks’.
“Get in the car,” Jed said through clenched teeth. Stuffing the picture and letter back in the envelope he got in and buckled up.
“What was it?” I asked. I hadn’t been able to see what the letter said or who was in the picture. I think Jed had kept it turned away from me on purpose. He was clearly upset. His fingers were wrapped around the steering wheel so tightly they were turning white. Slamming his hand against the wheel he swore.
“I don’t want you to see it,” he finally got out. “Someone is trying to warn us to stop asking questions. I think they just gave me a clue to another missing boy.”
“That’s great Jed,” I said hesitantly. “Isn’t it?”
“Not when it leads to a dumpster,” he said angrily hitting the wheel again in frustration.
Shocked, tears started running down my face. I didn’t want to think about another poor boy being murdered because of whatever was going on.
Seeing my tears, Jed gently used his knuckles to brush them away. “I’m sorry Nora, I didn’t mean to yell at you. I know you’re upset, but I need to go check this out. It’s not too far from here. Are you ok to do that?”
Nodding, I brushed the rest of my tears away and listened as Jed called it in to the police. He seemed to know whomever he was talking to pretty good. I didn’t want to think that it was because he had been on the wrong side of the law. So instead, I focused on the soothing sound of his voice as he drove.
“I want you to stay in the car. Under no circumstances are you to get out. Do you understand me? I won’t have you ignore me again. Even if you can’t always see me, I want to come back here and find you still safely buckled in this seat with the doors locked. Promise me Nora,” he said as he drove toward the paper factory.
“I promise,” I told him, grabbing his hand and holding on tightly. “Do you mind if I pray?”
Giving me a surprised look which turned to one of interest, Jed nodded.
Still holding Jed’s hand, I bowed my head and closed my eyes and prayed out loud. Dear Lord, please be with us this night. Guide Jed as he searches for this missing boy. If it is your will help him to be ok, but if he’s not, be with his family and let them find peace with You. Please keep Jed and I safe and help us to remember You are with us always. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Jed gave my hand a squeeze as I looked up and then turned his attention back to the road. I don’t think he realized that I could tell he was deep in thought from the fierce expression on his face. My prayer seemed to have gotten to him. I hope in a good way.
Turning into the paper factory, Jed slowly crept through the parking lot looking for a dumpster. The factory was obviously doing badly, because several of the parking lot lights were spray painted with graffiti and weeds were starting to grow up through the cracks in the cement. The lot was only partially filled. The only cars in the lot were parked close to the entrance door far away from where we parked.
“There’s the dumpster,” Jed said, parking a safe distance away from it. It was on the grass on the farthest side of the lot, partially hidden by a long ago planted row of shrubs. “I am going to go take a look. The police are on their way. Remember what I said.” Climbing out of the car, he waited until I locked the doors and then slowly approached the dumpster. The opening must have been around the other side, because he disappeared around the shrubs. Nervously, I glanced around the parking lot while I waited for Jed to reappear. There were no cars over on this side of the parking lot. It was totally empty. Only a few minutes had past before I saw Jed reappear. From his dejected expression, I could tell that he hadn’t found anything good.
Climbing in the car, Jed pulled out his phone. Looking over at my questioning expression, he said, “There’s a body in there, probably one of the missing boys. I need to let the police know so they can send for the coroner.”
Tears fell again, as I listened to Jed tell the police. I felt so sad; that boy’s parents were going to be told their son had been murdered. And for what? Good grades? Extra Money? It didn’t’ seem worth it. These people deserved to be behind bars. Whatever it took, I was determined to help.
“There’s nothing else we can do, but wait for the police. I need to show them this letter and picture. Why don’t you call everyone in the group and have them meet us in the science club if they can? We need to figure out what we are going to do now,” Jed told me. Seeing my tears, he leaned over and kissed me softly then pulled me into his arms and gently rubbed my back. “I’m sorry you had to be here, Nora.”
After a few minutes, I pulled myself together. As I sat there, I was reminded that could have been Ollie in that dumpster. I told Jed what I was thinking.
“I know,” he said in a tight voice, “That’s why I want to get everyone together if we can tonight.”
“Then I better make those calls,” I said, pulling away from him.
“Thanks, Jed,” I told him reaching into my purse for a tissue to blow my nose.
“Anytime. Any excuse I have for holding you, I’d be stupid not to take advantage of,” he said teasingly trying to lighten the mood.
“You’re shirt’s wet,” I said quietly noticing the big wet spot on his chest where I had cried against it.
“It’ll dry,” he said taking my hand again and giving it a squeeze.
Pulling out my phone, I started with Kent. I figured he would be the easiest to get a hold of. He answered right away. He was probably wondering why I was calling him, when I was supposed to be on a date with Jed.
“Kent,” I started, my voice cracking.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded. “Where’s Jed? He’s dead if he hurt you.”
“No, No Jed didn’t hurt me. It’s just that…” I guess this was going to be harder than I thought.
“Here, give me the phone Honey,” Jed said taking it from me. Quickly he filled Kent in on what had happened ending with. “But thanks for the vote of confidence there, Buddy.”
Kent must have said something Jed found amusing, because he laughed.
“Ok, Thanks, see you there in a few,” Jed said hanging up the phone. “Kent’s going to call Charlotte. Here come the police. Do you think you’re ok enough to call Ollie? I need to get out and talk to them.”
Taking my phone back, I said, “Yeah, I’m ok. It just took me a few minutes. Sorry about that.”
“Hey,” he said kindly. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. It’s normal to be upset that someone was killed.”
Nodding, I said, “Go, I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Stay here and lock the doors after I get out,” he said getting out and shutting the car door behind him.
I called Ollie, who also answered quickly. He was free, but didn’t have a ride, unless he rode his bike over. I told him that we would pick him up on our way by.
I watched as Jed shook hands with the two police officers who had arrived, and pointed over to the dumpster. Together they all walked around the shrubs to the other side.
Just as they left, a van pulled up with the words Livingston County M.E. on the side. It was quickly followed by a suv with the Sheriff’s department logo on the side. It must be the crime scene investigators, I realized. I was thankful that I was sitting on the opposite side, so that I didn’t have to see what was going on in the dumpster.
Looking around the parking lot again, it amazed me that all these people had been at work and some were still here. Not one probably had a clue that a boy had been murdered and thrown in the dumpster.
About fifteen minutes later, Jed came around the corner. Climbing back into the car, he said, “We are free to go. We may have to answer additional questions after they go over the scene and write the report. But for now, let’s go meet everyone. Was Ollie able to make it?”
“Yes, but we have to pick him up on our way.”
“Ok, I would rather do that, than have him ride his bike when it is going to be getting dark soon anyway.”
“Was it the boy from my school, Mark Mason?”
“No Honey, from his ID, he was a boy from Clyde.”
I was relieved that it wasn’t Mark. But where was he? I really hoped that he wasn’t involved in this, like those other boys were. It wasn’t starting to look good for him.
Chapter 18
As soon as we pulled up next to the high school, Kent and Charlotte got out of my Escape and rushed over. Kent must have picked Charlotte up on the way, since the Escape was the only car in the parking lot besides the Camaro.
“Tell us everything!” Charlotte said, as I climbed out of the car. “You look great by the way. How was your date?”
“It was wonderful. I will have to tell you about it later,” I whispered. “We danced, and Jed can really dance!”
“No! That’s a surprise. He doesn’t seem like the type. He’s too...rough.”
“Well, he can, and it was wonderful,” I said hugging myself as I remembered the feeling of swaying in Jed’s arms.
Taking my arm, Charlotte steered us towards the door. “Let’s get inside before you tell us what else happened. It seems creepy standing out here in the open, even though it’s still light outside.”
“I know what you mean. Let’s go.”
Shutting and locking the door behind us, we walked in, turning on the lights as we went. Because we didn’t have any food this time, we naturally gravitated toward the couches set up around the TV.
Charlotte and I sat down on one end of the couch together talking quietly as the guys turned on the TV and flipped through the channels. I think everyone needed a few minutes to relax and enjoy the company before we got into the heavier topics.
Finding a hockey game on TV that they could agree on, the guys each started to take a seat. I watched Jed, curious where he would sit with Kent watching him. He didn’t even glance Kent’s way, instead he strolled right over to the couch and sat on the opposite end. Grabbing my hand he pulled. “Come here,” he tugged me over until I was tight up against him. Turning slightly against the arm of the couch he adjusted his body so that he could wrap his arms around me and I could lean up against his chest. My heart started pounding hard. Even though he had wrapped his arms around me before, it felt different somehow. Snuggling in his arms on the couch seemed somehow more intimate. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea.
“Relax, Kent is going to think I am holding you against your will,” Jed whispered into my ear.
“I can’t relax with you so close to me,” I whispered back. His hard chest was against my back, and it was hard to even think much less relax.
Jed chuckled. I think he sounded a bit conceited.
“Stop laughing,” I said batting his hands away, embarrassed.
It’s not that easy for me being this close to you either. You’re very dangerous to my health. If the look your brother is giving me is any indication.”
I looked over at Kent, his face was starting to turn red also, but I know it wasn’t because he was embarrassed. Kent only turned that red when he was angry. From the looks of it, he hadn’t missed our exchange. He was mad and started to get up. I sent a pleading look at Charlotte, who stood up and grabbed Kent’s arm. “Kent, why don’t you come sit over here with me,” she said pulling him over to the loveseat. She sat down and patted the cushion next to her. “Come on, leave them alone. I want to hear about how things went with your dad. I called the Mayor’s office and scheduled a time after school on Friday to meet with him. I told his secretary that it would be someone from our group, but I wasn’t sure exactly who.” Distracted for the moment, Kent said down next to her.
“Score!” Ollie yelled from his perch on the couch armrest. “Did you see that?” he asked, jumping up to point at the screen. We all watched, as the forward broke away and skated down to smoothly deke the goalie and score the first goal of the game.
“Hey Ollie, how come every time we come in here, no one else is here?” Kent asked him.
“The other guys are too busy with sports. Most of them run on the track team, or play baseball. The spring is a pretty quiet time in for the science club. You should see us during the winter. We hang out here almost every weekend, sometimes more. Right Charlotte?”
“That’s right,” she said grinning. “I don’t hangout as much, mostly I just come to the official meetings and help with the projects.”
“A science club geek eh?” Kent said teasing her. I could tell he was just teasing, because of the light in his eyes when he spoke. He must really like her. It felt so good knowing my twin brother had someone who was so nice and genuine. I just wish he would feel the same way about me and my relationship with Jed.
“So tell us what happened with your dad, you guys
? Jed, you were there too right?” Charlotte asked. “Ollie, could you turn the TV down a bit so we can talk?”
“No prob,” Ollie said getting up to turn the volume down before sitting back down on the coffee table between the two couches.
“Dad told us that the Pine Hill Country Club has a secret organization. It recruits new members by promising them perfect grades all the way through college so that they can get the best and most prestigious jobs. He turned them down in high school. Apparently Mayor Greenly did not. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say for himself on Friday,” I told Ollie and Charlotte. “Did I forget anything?”
“He suggested we have the police look into the disappearance of several other boys, starting with the year he graduated,” Kent added.
“The big question is what does that have to do with the boys who are disappearing now?” Jed asked. “Are they the boys who are in the club, or the boys who are selling their papers for money?”
“That’s easy,” I told Jed. “We just need to check the membership directory at the Country Club to see if any of the boys who disappeared are members.”
“That’s good,” Jed told me, “I would also like to get into the president’s office and see what else he had in those filing cabinets. Do you think we could get in there this weekend?”
“Sure, but that means you might have to actually dress up and go to dinner there. Do you think you could handle that?” I teased him.
“I guess you’ll just have to wait and find out, won’t you,” Jed said tickling my ribs.
Laughing, I said, “Why don’t we all go together? Friday night they usually have a special buffet.”
“Charlotte? Ollie?” Kent asked.
“Sure, sounds like fun,” Charlotte said.
Ollie shrugged, “I’m in.”
“Ok, why don’t we meet at the country club at seven. That should give whoever is going to meet with the Mayor plenty of time to get home and changed,” Kent said.
“Sounds good,” Jed said. “Now, about tonight.”
Undercover Justice Page 18
