Undercover Justice (11 page)

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 looked 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.

Not only did he have stress to work off, he also had to find a way to finish his homework. Jed shook his head. When he signed up for this special unit, Sheriff Miller hadn’t said anything about doing homework. Maybe they would give him a bonus if he got all A’s. Or maybe he could get Mike to do it for him, or better yet, Ollie was good at that kind of thing. Slip him a couple bucks, and he would probably do it. Ollie already knew he was undercover anyway. It wasn’t like he was cheating or anything, at least not exactly.

Thinking of getting out of doing the homework, he put an extra skip in his step on the way down to the barn. Grabbing Saber’s tack, Jed pushed open the stall door, “Here boy,” he said holding out an apple to the jet-black stallion.

“I could have done that Son,” Skip said, coming out from inside a stall near the other end of the barn.

“That’s ok. How is she?”

“Will be any day now, most likely tonight.”

Jed felt excited. This would be the first horse to give birth since Jed had taken over the farm after his grandfather’s death. Jed had plans to make the farm into a premier horse-breeding program. His grandfather was already famous for his show quality horses. Jed was hoping to continue in his grandfather’s footsteps. He wouldn’t be able to do it without Skip and Betty.

Slapping Skip on the back, he said, “That’s great news! Call me the second labor starts, I want to be here.”

“Don’t you have school tomorrow?” Skip teased.

“Don’t remind me,” Jed said groaning.