Page 38 of Scorched

Paul pulled Elise into the crook of his arm, unconcerned about what the teens might think of their relationship.

Her body shook as though she were chilled. “Yes.”

“Oh, Ms. Johnson.” Kendall reached for her handsand held them. “This is terrible. Did you go to the police?”

“She went to the FBI,” Paul answered for Elise.

Alex’s eyes rounded. “You’re an FBI agent?”

Paul nodded.

“Wow.” Alex’s teeth shone in a huge grin. “That’s so cool.”

“Alex! Ms. Johnson could be in trouble. She’s blond and everything, like the note on the wall.”

Alex looked at her sideways. “Kenny, so are you, in case you didn’t notice. And so are half the girls at school.”

Kenny’s face blanched. “That’s right.” She stood for a moment, staring at the wall, then she reached into her back pocket and pulled out her cell phone and held it up and clicked a button.

“What are you doing?” Elise grabbed her arm and pulled it down.

“Getting a picture.” Kendall turned the phone over and viewed the picture she’d just taken. “We could be involved in an honest-to-God murder case. This is evidence.”

Elise snatched the cell phone from Kenny’s hand. “You can’t show this to anyone.”

“Why? It’s part of solving the case. The police need to see it.”

“I have my reasons.” Elise clicked the buttons on the phone, trying to delete the picture. “How do you delete it? You have to delete it!”

“It’s okay, Ms. Johnson.” Kendall reached around and touched her finger to two buttons. The display asked to cancel or delete. Kendall pressed the key for delete and the picture of Elise’s wall disappeared. “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have taken the picture if I’d known it would upset you so much.”

“No, I’m sorry.” Elise shoved the phone back in Kendall’s hands. “I shouldn’t have overreacted.”

“Is there anything we can do? Do you want me to keep the boys while you talk with the police?” Kendall asked. “I’ve had the Red Cross CPR and babysitting courses.”

“No, no. We’ll manage.” Elise placed a hand on Kendall’s arm and one on Alex’s. “Please, don’t say anything to anyone about this. Please.”

“We won’t, Ms. Johnson,” Alex answered automatically.

Kendall bit on her bottom lip but didn’t say anything.

Alex jabbed her in the ribs. “Right, Kenny?”

The teen frowned and rubbed her ribs. “Right, right. We won’t tell anyone. But I think you need to take it to the police.”

Elise’s hand fluttered up to Paul’s chest. “I have the FBI working on it. They know what to do.”

Paul grabbed her hand and held it trapped against his shirt, wishing he’d thought to close the door before Alex and Kendall saw the writing. The more people knew about it, the more likely it would get around. Elise’s new life looked to be blowing wide open.

Alex grabbed Kendall’s arm and pulled her toward the door. “Come on, Kendall. Ms. Johnson has enough to worry about. Let’s go home.”

“Thanks, Alex,” Elise said. “I’ll see you two tomorrow.”

“Seven-thirty, right?” Kendall asked.

Elise’s brow furrowed. “Seven-thirty?”

“Didn’t you need help setting up for a movie?”

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