Page 58 of Scorched

“Did the police have the truck dusted for prints?”

“Yup. Only the regular drivers’ prints showed.”

Whoever had stolen it knew the ropes. Leaving no trace evidence. Paul headed toward the cafeteria. Could a high school janitor be the culprit behind such an elaborate operation? Or was Paul wasting his time and the real killer was out there preparing to strike again? He feared Elise would be his next target. Maybe Elise wasright, and it was Stan Klaus. Who else would have sufficient motivation to kill others to torment her? Who else would be motivated to ultimately kill her?

“Oh, and Paul, while I was still at the office, Cain showed up for all of five minutes. I couldn’t follow him because I had to pick up the boys. He looked like he was in a hurry. He left at the same time as I did. Pealed out of the parking lot in his SUV without so much as a word to me.”

Paul’s jaw tightened. Between protecting a woman from a crazed killer and dealing with a troubled employee, he had his share of frustrations. “I’ll deal with him when I get in the office tomorrow.”

Elise satbehind her desk with her grade sheets neatly printed, waiting for parents to show up and ask about their child’s progress. For all outward appearances, she hoped she appeared calm and relaxed. While inside her stomach churned, her palms sweated, and she still felt a little light-headed.

Every time a person appeared in the doorway, Elise teetered at the edge of terror. What if Stan entered carrying an Ethernet cable, ready to take her out like he had the other women he’d killed?

Her more hopeful side watched the door, hoping Paul would step through and allay her fears. She fought the urge to call home and check on the boys. AgentBradley had been there to see them off the bus. She’d called as soon as they arrived and again when they were safely tucked inside the house with the doors locked.

Elise would rather have skipped the parent-teacher conference night, but she feared for her job. Especially after passing out in the classroom and then lying to the principal about why.

She hadn’t seen Alex and Kendall since the earlier incident. They hadn’t shown up for class, either. She’d called their homes and left a message, but they hadn’t checked in. Now, not only did she have to worry about her own children, but she was also worried about her students. The burden of her situation weighed heavily on her.

Just when she thought things couldn’t get worse, Gerri Finch walked in, her three-inch stilettos clicking sharply against the tiles. Ashley followed her mother, her head down, her cheeks pale.

“I’ve had about all I can take of this school, Ms. Johnson.” Gerri plopped her Gucci bag on Elise’s desk and planted her hands on her hips. “My daughter will be at the cheer competition on Saturday, do you understand? If she’s not, I’ll hold you responsible and do my best to have you fired.”

All the frustration, fear and anger that had built up over the past couple of days rocketed up inside Elise. She stood, heat rising up her neck into her face and all the way to her scalp. “Mrs. Finch.” Elise sucked in a deep breath in hope ofcalming her rising fury. “Ashley is responsible for whether or not she performs on Saturday. She needs to understand that there are consequences for her actions. And you, as her parent, should know that and provide the guidance she so desperately needs and obviously isn’t getting.”

“Mom, leave it alone.” Ashley grabbed her mother’s arm and tried to pull her away from Elise’s desk. “So, I’ll miss one competition. The world won’t end.”

“Shut up, Ashley. You’ll be there if I have to file a lawsuit against this school and particularly against this teacher.”

Ashley’s face reddened and she shot a helpless glance at Elise. “But I don’t want you to sue the school. I like it here. I have friends.”

Mrs. Finch’s cheeks flushed an unbecoming beet-red. “I said shut up! If you hadn’t kept your mouth shut in the first place, and gotten to class on time, you wouldn’t be in this situation. Let go of me!” Gerri Finch jerked her arm loose and raised her hand as if to strike her daughter.

Ashley flinched and backed away, color draining from her face.

Elise gasped. “Mrs. Finch!”

“Don’t.” Paul’s deep voice penetrated the woman’s rage and halted her hand in midair.

Relief washed over Elise, and she rushed across the room and into his open arms.

Gerri’s hand remained frozen, hovering over herdaughter’s head, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “You have to be at the competition.”

“Why, Mom?” Ashley’s color came back, tears filling her eyes. “You’rethe one who wanted me to cheer.You’rethe one who made me go to all those gymnastic lessons. Did you ever ask me what I wanted? I hate gymnastics. I hate cheering!”

Gerri stared at her raised hand and back at her daughter. Her hand dropped to her side, her shoulders sagging. “I wanted you to have all the things I didn’t.”

“But I don’t want them, Mom. I just want to go to school, graduate and get the hell out of the house. Away from my crazy mother who won’t quit embarrassing me in front of the entire school.”

Gerri’s own eyes glazed as she stared across at her daughter as if for the first time. “But you’re my baby. I love you.”

“Just let me livemylife,myway.” Ashley’s face softened. “Come on, Mom. Let’s get out of here.”

“One question before you leave.” Paul stood between them and the doorway. “Did either one of you throw a brick at Ms. Johnson’s car yesterday around four o’clock?”

Ashley and Gerri Finch both blinked.

“I was getting a facial at that time,” Gerri answered.

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