Death and the Girl Next Door

Principal Davis turned toward us. “If you four will go in, the sheriff and I would like to talk to Lorelei alone.”

Jared’s hand was around my arm instantly while Cameron, Glitch, and Brooklyn shifted nervous eyes at one another.

“Sure, Mr. Davis,” Brooklyn said at last, adding a light bounce to her step. As she walked past, she took hold of Jared’s sleeve and dragged him, as nonchalantly as possible, inside.

Jared glanced over his shoulder, but I couldn’t read his expression. I didn’t think he was worried I would say anything. He seemed more concerned about me than himself.

“I guess you’ve made a new friend,” Mr. Davis said.

I turned toward him.

“Anything else you care to tell me about Jared Kovach?”

I took in the two men. Sheriff Villanueva wasn’t very tall, but I heard he’d been a Golden Gloves boxing champion. He had a strong presence, intense, though his kind features seemed to balance out his rough edges.

I shrugged. “I told you what I know.”

“But you two have been hanging out more,” he said. “Have you learned anything new?”

The sheriff’s focus never wavered off my face. He was reading every move I made, every reaction I had to Mr. Davis’s questions. I decided to cooperate fully. And a tad deceptively.

“Look,” I said in a conspiratorial voice, “Jared’s parents are having a really hard time right now. He’s staying with us for a while, and we’re doing everything in our power to keep him from becoming suicidal. I mean, he’s been really upset. His parents are on the verge of divorce. They’re about to lose their house in Santa Fe—”

“I thought he was from Los Angeles,” Mr. Davis said.

Oops. “Well, right,” I said, stuttering slightly, “I was getting to that. They lost their house in Los Angeles a while back, and now they’re about to lose their house in Santa Fe too.”

“They’re going to lose two houses?”

“Yes,” I said, praying that he believe me, “if his dad doesn’t get a new job soon.”

After a long pause, he said, “Okay, go on.”

“Well, so anyway, he’s staying with us until his parents decide what they’re going to do. That’s why he didn’t show up back to school. He was hoping to be back with them permanently before the week was up.”

The sheriff spoke up then. “Are you related?”

“No. Well, not exactly. His parents are very close to my grandparents.”

“I thought you had just met him,” Mr. Davis said.

“Yes. I did. But my grandfather has known his dad for years.” Why was I saying these things? I was trying to keep my grandparents out of this mess, but one phone call and I was busted.

I’d gone crazy. It was true. Somewhere in the midst of all the chaos, I had lost my marbles.

“Why didn’t you mention that the other day in my office?”

“Mr. Davis, I didn’t feel comfortable talking about Jared or his family without his consent. I hope you can understand that. Jared’s been really upset.”

“Yes, you said that.”

The sheriff passed a sideways glance to Mr. Davis before asking, “So, why don’t you tell me what you know about a fight on Main Street and a vandalized Buick.”

“A fight?”

“Yes, a fight. Between a tall dark-haired teenager and a tall blond one.”

“Really? When was this?”

“On Tuesday, supposedly right after you left the Java Loft.”

I gulped in air as I pretended to understand. “Wasn’t that an earthquake?” I looked from one man to the other, my eyes wide and curious. I should totally become an actor. “Well, whatever it was, I missed the whole thing. Glitch and Brooklyn told me about it later that night. You can ask them.”

“So, Jared Kovach could have been in a fight and you wouldn’t have known about it?”

“Sheriff Villanueva, Jared was with his parents in Santa Fe. Remember, Mr. Davis?” I squinted at him questioningly. “I told you in your office yesterday, he was upset and wanted to be with them. He just got back late last night. He couldn’t have had anything to do with a fight or an earthquake or whatever-the-heck else could’ve happened.”

The sheriff surveyed me suspiciously. “Ms. McAlister, I have some rather credible eyewitnesses. And to be totally honest, both Kovach and Lusk look a little beaten and bruised.”

You have no idea, I thought. Even though I didn’t comment, I held my ground with an ultra-innocent expression.

After a moment, and a rather lengthy, annoyed sigh, he looked back at the principal. “This is getting us nowhere. Let’s go back in.”

When we entered Mr. Davis’s office, I came to a screeching halt just inside the threshold. My grandparents were there. In his office. Sitting. In his office. My heartbeat skyrocketed.

Grandpa stood.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked him, shock forcing my voice into a breathy whisper.

“Bill,” Principal Davis said, “if you would like to sit down, I’ll explain what this is about.”

Grandpa looked from the principal to the sheriff and back as we both sat down. “I’d appreciate that, Alan.”

“But first, I’d like to ask Mr. Kovach a couple of questions.” Mr. Davis paused to see if anyone would object.

I cast a worried glance at Jared. What would happen if Mr. Davis figured out who he really was? What he really was? What would he do? Then again, what could he do? Who on earth would believe him?