by Jo Gibson
Bad news traveled fast, and Brett had called Neal to tell him. Neal had called Jessica, and Jessica had lost no time in calling Michele. The moment Michele had heard, she’d called Colleen and Amy, and within the hour, the news of Gail’s fatal car accident was all over town. Amy’s grandmother had told her an old saying, and it seemed to be true in Clearwater. Bad news could travel halfway around the world before good news had time to put on its shoes.
Amy took a sip of her chocolate milk shake. Chocolate milk shakes usually made her feel good, but today the therapy didn’t seem to be working. All she could think about was how Gail’s brakes had failed, resulting in her death. She looked up at Danny, and blinked back a tear. “Where do you think she was going?”
“I’m not sure.” Danny knew immediately who she was talking about. He always did. “My guess is the sheriff’s station. It’s the only building out there, except for a couple of farms.”
“But why would she go there?”
Danny shook his head. “I don’t know for sure. But one of the deputies stopped by Ernie’s garage while I was there, and he said Gail was wearing one of those half-heart necklaces, just like Tanya.”
“Oh, my God!” Amy shivered. “Do they know who gave it to her?”
Danny shook his head. “Do you know if she ever got that third card from Cat?”
“I don’t know whether she did or not. But Jessica and Michele left the school before Gail did. And when Gail went up to her locker to get her coat, it could have been there, waiting for her. That’s where she found the first two.”
“But how about the necklace? The box was too big to fit through the vent in her locker.”
“You’re right. I didn’t think of that.” Amy frowned, her mind whirling. And then she nodded as she thought of a possible explanation. “I know what might have happened. Cat could have stuck it in her car.”
“That makes sense. And it would explain what Gail was doing out on the highway. She might have figured out who Cat was, and gone straight to the sheriff to tell him.”
“But she never made it. Cat killed her first. We know that, but we can’t prove it. I wish Gail could have left us some sort of clue.”
“She did.” Danny looked very serious. “Gail was wearing the half-heart necklace. I think she knew that she was going to die, and she put on the necklace to let us know that Cat was responsible.”
Amy’s eyes welled up with tears. “Poor Gail! It must have been awful, trapped in her car, knowing she was going to die.”
“Yeah.” Danny gave Amy another hug. “Come on, Amy. Crying’s not going to do any good. Let’s concentrate on proving our case against Cat. The first thing we need is motive. Why did Cat kill Gail?”
“Because she was going to be Valentine’s Day Queen. It’s the same reason he killed Tanya.”
“Okay. I’ll buy that. But why didn’t he want them to be queen?”
Amy looked at Danny in surprise. “He told us why. Remember the Valentine cards? Cat thought the queen should be kind, faithful and true. And Tanya and Gail didn’t pass his test, so he killed them because they were unworthy.”
“We know that, but the sheriff doesn’t buy it. Brett said he told him about the Valentine cards, but the sheriff thinks they were just a prank . . . especially since no one can prove that Tanya and Gail were murdered. The sheriff has listed both of their deaths as accidental.”
“So what do we do?” Amy looked worried.
“I’m not sure. What do you think we should do?”
“I think we should cancel the contest before someone else is killed.”
Danny nodded. “That makes good sense to me. But it’ll be pretty rough on Jessica. She’s in the lead, now that Tanya and Gail are dead.”
“I know. She’s already planning out what to wear to her coronation. I don’t think I’d better even suggest it.”
“Why not?”
Amy sighed. “Because Jessica will say it’s just sour grapes on my part.”
“Sour grapes?” Danny stared down at her with a puzzled expression. “What does that mean?”
“It means they’ll assume that the only reason I want to cancel the contest is because I couldn’t win.”
“But you could! You’re pretty, and popular, and you stand just as much of a chance as any other girl.”
“Right.” Amy couldn’t help sounding sarcastic. “I’m so popular, I don’t even have a date for the dance. And the guy I was going to ask, the mysterious person who voted for me, turns out to be Cat!”
“Okay. He was a bad choice. But you can get a date for the dance. I told you before . . . ask me.”
Amy frowned slightly. She knew Danny was only being kind. “Thanks, but I don’t accept charity. And the only reason you’d agree to be my date is because I’m your sister’s best friend.”
“Think again, Amy. I’d never take a girl I didn’t like to a dance. Life’s too short to be stuck with a loser all night.”
“You’d go with me if I asked you?”
Danny nodded. “Sure. Are you asking?”
“Uh . . . yes. I mean . . . I guess so.” Amy’s cheeks began to burn, and she knew her face was turning red. “But I don’t want you to do me any favors!”
“Okay. I won’t. But you have to do one for me.”
Amy groaned. “Oh-oh. Colleen and I are already doing your laundry. What else do you want?”
“I want something much more personal, something only you can do.”
Danny was grinning the grin everyone said was sexy, and Amy knew he had something definite in mind. She blushed even harder, and looked down at the table.
“Don’t you want to know what it is?”
Danny’s voice was low and intimate, teasing and sexy at the same time. It made Amy look up to find that he was staring at her intently.
“Oh . . . well . . .” Amy’s voice faltered. She found it very difficult to meet Danny’s eyes, but she did. And then she took a deep breath and blurted out the question. “All right, Danny. What is it?”
“I want you to wear something sexy. You have a very good figure and you should show it off. Black silk would be nice, or something in bright red satin. Just make sure it has a low neck. I don’t want to blow my reputation by going out with someone who’s dressed up like Little Bo Peep.”
Amy knew her face was beet-red. She’d never looked like Little Bo Peep in her life! “Sorry, Danny . . . I’m fresh out of black silk dresses. And I don’t have any bright red satin, either.”
“No problem.” Danny was still grinning his sexy grin. “I’ll buy you a dress, the next time I get out to the mall. What size do you wear?”
“I . . . I . . . that’s none of your business!”
Danny leaned forward to stare at her. His gaze started at the top of her head and traveled all the way down to the tips of her toes. “Okay. You should wear about an eleven. Or maybe a nine, if it has a full skirt. Am I right?”
Amy’s mouth dropped open. Danny was right! But she was too embarrassed to reply.
“That’s one of the cute things about you, Amy. You’re really shy, and I know it’s not an act. I’ll ask Colleen all your sizes. I know you two don’t have any secrets from each other.” Danny slipped his arm around Amy’s shoulders again, and gave her a little squeeze. “You’ll wear the dress I pick out for you, won’t you?”
Amy wished she could sink through the floor. If Danny picked out her dress, it was bound to be something spectacular, something so revealing she’d curl up and die rather than wear it in public. But if she didn’t wear it, his feelings would be hurt. Amy wasn’t at all sure why she was worried about that, but she knew she didn’t want to hurt Danny’s feelings.
She simply had to think of a good excuse so she wouldn’t have to accept the dress!
“Look, Danny.” Amy latched on to an excuse and ran with it. “My parents would never let me accept a dress from you. It’s too personal. And much too expensive. A gift like that just wouldn’t be . . . uh . . . appropri
ate.”
Danny nodded. “You’re right. I should have thought of that. Your birthday’s in March, isn’t it?”
“Uh . . . yes.” Amy was surprised that Danny had remembered her birthday.
“I’ll talk to Colleen, and we’ll both go in on your present this year. Your parents will let you accept an early birthday gift from both of us, won’t they?”
“Well . . . uh . . . yes, I think they will. But you really shouldn’t . . .”
“It’s settled, then.” Danny gave her a little hug. “I’ll look forward to seeing you in that dress, Amy.”
Before Amy could say another word, Colleen came through the front door of the Hungry Burger. She headed straight for their booth and slid in on the other side.
“Hi, guys.” Colleen was breathless. “You’ll never guess what just happened to me!”
“What happened?” Amy was extremely grateful for the interruption. Her conversation with Danny had been so personal, she was embarrassed.
“Jessica and Michele want me to take Gail’s place! The cheers don’t look good with only two cheerleaders, so I’m going to join them at the game tonight!”
“They must be desperate.” Danny grinned at his sister. “You’re not really the cheerleader type.”
“I’m not that bad! Besides, it’s just until they can hold try-outs for some new girls.”
Amy nodded. “Congratulations, Colleen. I think you’ll make a great cheerleader. Are you going to the try-outs when they hold them?”
Colleen shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess it all depends on whether I make a fool of myself at the game tonight. You’ll watch and tell me if I look okay, won’t you, Amy?”
“Of course.” Amy smiled at her. And then she gave a little sigh. “I’m going to miss talking to you at the game, though. It’ll be the first time I’ve ever gone to a game alone.”
Danny shook his head. “You won’t be alone. And I guarantee you won’t miss Colleen. You’ll have me to talk to, and I’m much more interesting.”
“Says who?” Colleen glared at him.
“Says me.” Danny slid out of the booth and stood up. And then he reached down to ruffle Amy’s hair. “I have to run. I’ll drop Colleen off at the school at six-thirty, and I’ll pick you up at seven, okay?”
“Uh . . . sure. I’ll be ready.”
Amy stared after him as he made his way through the crowd and went out the front door. Danny really was handsome, now that he’d cut all the green dye from his hair.
“I don’t believe it!”
Amy turned to see that Colleen was grinning at her. “You don’t believe what?”
“I don’t believe my brother! He asked you for a date, and you said yes.”
“I did?” Amy began to blush. “But it’s not exactly a date, Colleen. Danny’s just giving me a ride to the game. He gives us rides all the time. You know that.”
Colleen shook her head. “I know he does, but it’s more than that. He’s dropping me off, and then he’s picking you up. And he’s sitting with you at the game. That’s a date, Amy. Maybe you didn’t realize it, but you just made a date with Danny.”
“Oh, I don’t think so.” Amy knew she was starting to blush, so she looked down at the table. “He’s just being nice because he knew I didn’t want to sit alone. It’s just friendship, Colleen. That’s all.”
“Sure. I’m going to order a burger. Do you want me to get something for you?”
“No, thanks. I don’t want to spoil my appetite. Mom’s making french fries and hamburgers for dinner. And we’re having hot fudge sundaes for dessert.”
“You’re kidding!” Colleen looked surprised. “What happened to her tofu diet?”
“She threw out the tofu the minute she read the new diet sheet that came in the mail. We’re having barbecued chicken and potato salad tomorrow night, and pot roast on Sunday. Dad’s really happy about Mom’s new diet.”
“This new diet . . .” Colleen started to grin. “Is it from Y.M.A.?”
“Of course. Mom’s really impressed by the way it contains something from every food group. And she loves the way we rave about her cooking. It’s turning out exactly the way Danny said it would when he helped me make up the diet sheet.”
“Danny helped you?” Colleen’s grin widened. “You’re spending a lot of time with my brother, aren’t you?”
“Well . . . yes. I guess I am.”
“But you still say you’re just friends?”
“Of course.” Amy nodded quickly. “Danny’s not at all serious about me. He’s still dating Megan.”
“No, he’s not. They broke up, almost a week ago. You’re the only girl he’s seeing now.”
Amy started to blush again. She certainly wasn’t going to tell Colleen that she’d invited Danny to the Valentine’s Day Dance. Colleen would assume it was a real date, when it was just two friends going somewhere together. “That doesn’t mean anything, Colleen. He’s just between girls, that’s all.”
“Hmm.” Colleen lifted her eyebrows. “Maybe you’re right. You’re really not his type at all.”
Amy felt an uncharacteristic stab of jealousy. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re much too innocent to date Danny. And you’re much too nice.”
“Oh.” Amy wasn’t sure if she should feel complimented or not. “Thanks . . . I think.”
“You’re welcome. I’m starving. All that exercise at cheerleading practice made me hungry. Are you sure I can’t get you something to eat?”
“I’m positive.”
“Okay. Save my place.” Colleen took one step toward the counter, but then she turned back, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Look, Amy . . . I love my brother, but you’re my best friend. And I think you should watch out around Danny. He’s older, and he’s got lots of experience with girls.”
“But Colleen . . . it’s not like that. I told you, we’re just friends.”
“That’s what they all say, at first. But I’ve watched Danny start up with a lot of girls, starting with the Hansen twins when he was in Junior High, right up through Megan Stillwell last week. The only one he was ever halfway serious about was Karen Thomas.”
“Danny dated Karen?” Amy was surprised. She hadn’t heard about that. “When?”
“It was right after he came home last spring. Karen’s parents didn’t like it, but she went out with him anyway. And then she died, and it was all over.”
“That’s sad.” Amy sighed.
“I know, but that’s not the point. Believe me, Amy . . . I’ve seen my brother in action, and I know Danny’s definitely getting ready to make a move on you.”
Amy waited until Colleen had left, and then she began to frown. Was Colleen right? Was Danny getting ready to make a move on her? She really didn’t think so, but if he was, exactly how would she deal with that?!
Thirteen
By the end of the game, Amy was convinced that Colleen was wrong. Danny was friendly and nice, but he hadn’t said anything that made her think he was about to make a move on her. When Hamilton High won, they’d jumped to their feet and he’d hugged her; but everyone was hugging everyone else, and Amy was sure that it really didn’t mean anything at all.
“Hey, Amy!” Michele ran up to them as they were leaving the gym. “I’m having a post-game party at the store, and you’re both invited. My folks are gone for the weekend.”
“You’re having a party at the store?” Amy looked surprised. Michele’s family ran a furniture store.
“There’s more room at the store, and it’ll be fun. I hooked up one of the sound systems my dad sells, and there’s plenty of couches and chairs. The party starts in thirty minutes, so be there.”
Danny turned to Amy as Michele raced off to invite more people. “How about it, Amy? Are you up for a party?”
“Well . . . I guess so. But I thought you weren’t interested in teenage parties.”
“Normally, I’m not. But I’ve never been to a party in a furniture s
tore. It’ll be a first.” Danny slipped his arm around Amy’s shoulders and grinned down at her. “I’m big on firsts. You know . . . first date, first kiss, first love, things like that. How about you? Are you big on firsts?”
“Oh . . . well . . . that depends on which firsts you’re talking about.” Amy wondered if Colleen had told Danny that she’d never gone on a date, never been kissed, and never really been in love. She didn’t want to say anything that might show Danny how naive she was, so she changed the subject to a much safer first. “How about your first bicycle? Do you remember that?”
Danny laughed as he pushed open the door, and they stepped out into the cold. “Of course. It was a shiny red Huffy, with training wheels. The first thing I did was take them off. I didn’t want the other kids to think I was a sissy.”
“But training wheels help while you’re learning to ride.” Amy frowned slightly. “How did you learn to ride without them?”
“Very painfully. I skinned up my knees for the first week, but I finally caught on. Colleen probably told you. I never do things the easy way.”
Amy nodded. “Like coming back to finish school when you’re two years older than everyone else. That can’t be easy for you.”
“You’re right.” Danny nodded. “But it’s something I have to do. I thought it would be so great to be out in the real world . . . but it wasn’t.”
Danny unlocked his car and opened the door so that Amy could get in. She waited until he’d slid in behind the wheel, and then she turned to him. “Was it scary, out there all alone?”
“Not at first.” Danny started the engine to let it warm up. “I was too dumb to be scared. I didn’t get scared until I realized that I didn’t know how to do a lot of things that most people take for granted.”
