Chapter 25
This is what it looks like when smoke comes
over the mountain from a forest fire.
~Summer 2013~
Hidden Secrets
Leona Palmer Haag
Chapter 25
Once they were in the car, Kevin opened the console
between the seats and pulled out a thin box. Without a word he pulled out
supplies and lifted fingerprints from his phone. "There are more on the
handles of my bag," Jenn said.
"I'll get them later if I think I need
them," Kevin said without looking up.
"Where is Nick?"
"Working."
"He sent you to pick me up?"
"I volunteered."
"Why were you late?"
"Traffic was horrendous." Kevin finished his
task and started the car. He backed out of his parking spot and headed toward
the exit.
“He could have called my cell phone. I could have
taken a cab."
"Are you sure Davis Turpin would have allowed
that?"
Jenn stared at Kevin. "I think it was a set up,
and it's disgusting. You guys probably think it's a funny practical joke, but
it makes me furious!"
Kevin didn't smile, but entered the freeway. Jenn
relaxed back in her seat. "So where are you taking me?"
Kevin shrugged.
"Let me guess. Chinese, Mexican or Italian?"
Kevin shrugged again.
"Now that you have Davis the Fake's fingerprints,
pull out your cell phone and call Nick and tell him I want Mexican tonight."
"First, tell me about Davis the Fake. What clued
you in that he was a set up?"
Jenn laughed. "I caught you! See! I knew
it!" She turned in her seat and faced Kevin. "First, what you didn't
know when you started making your plans was that my choir class was tightly
knit. We were all buddy-buddy. I had a crush on Tyler Rawlins who sat directly
behind me—although it didn't do me any good. He liked Ginger Hackameyer, a girl
who was a wanna be super star who was probably Monica Jensen's protégé, now
that I think about it. Anyway, Tyler's two best friends sat on either side of
him. The girl who sat beside me liked the kid to the left of Tyler's friend,
Alan. Are you keeping up with this?"
Kevin nodded, but kept his eyes on the taillights in
front of them.
"We performed almost every weekend at some church
or wedding or something, and our choir split into smaller groups for quartets,
duets and double quartets. So, as you, and the rest of your scheming friends
don't know, we all got to know each other very, very well. There was no Davis
Turpin that blended in with the desktop! Not in choir or any other class. Now
you know why you're all busted. I don't forget names or faces. Ever! And I
swear I’ll bust your face if you claim
the kiss was real. Someone at my little spy retreat taught me how to do it fast
and thoroughly, so don’t think I can’t."
Kevin nodded. "Davis got busted, and I’m next."
"Poor babies." Jenn giggled.
Kevin glanced at her, but didn't smile.
Jenn shoved his shoulder. "Oh, Kevin, for
heaven's sake, don't take it so hard. You had no idea I'd catch on so fast. Now
call Nick. Tell him to meet us at Roberto's Mexican Grill, but don't tell him
we're going to stop and pick up Katie on the way."
Kevin's head jerked up. "Katie?"
"You know, Katie, my baby? I'm dying to see
her."
"Katie," Kevin echoed, intently watching Jenn's
expression and almost rear-ending the car in front of him.
"She's at Linda Jo's. Take the next exit."
Kevin picked up his cell phone. "What's Linda
Jo's phone number? I'll call her and tell her we're on our way."
Jenn pulled Kevin's phone away. "You don't need
to, besides, you'll probably really call Nick to tell him I'm in on the secrets,
using some code talk."
"Secrets?" Kevin asked.
"Oh, you are so dim-witted. We all know you love
code talking.”
He shrugged.
“I called Linda Jo from the airport. She warned me
that Nick might not let me come over to pick Katie up until morning. Don't tell
Nick I told you, but Linda Jo said he hinted he was planning a romantic dinner
with flowers—the works."
"What's Linda Jo's address?"
"Turn left," Jenn said as they exited the
freeway.
"The address?" Kevin repeated.
"How should I know? It's a white house."
Kevin stopped at a red light and stared at Jenn like
she was nuts. "She's your friend and you don't know her address?"
"No, I don't need to. I know how to get there,
and that's what really matters."
"Jenn, you need to know addresses."
"I was never good with numbers or directions, so
I don't memorize them."
"Start!"
Jenn frowned at him. "Go three blocks and turn
right."
When they arrived at Linda Jo's, Kevin got out and
walked Jenn to the front door and she made introductions. "This is Nick's
coworker. I guess he was tied up in meetings and sent him to the airport to pick
me up," Jenn said when Linda Jo answered. A moment later Katie rounded the
corner. "Katie!" Jenn squealed.
"Mommy!" Katie squealed
back, rocketing into Jenn's outstretched arms.
Jenn nuzzled Katie's cheek. "Oh, you smell
heavenly! Like baby powder and fruit loops and cotton candy!"
"Candy," Katie giggled, as one of Linda Jo's
kids appeared with a bag of Skittles and placed a few in Katie's outstretched
hand.
"Yum, yum," Jenn said as Katie popped one in
her mouth.
"She's been fun," Linda Jo said.
"Thanks so much for watching her. Make Nick pay
you double what he agreed to. I know she can be a terror sometimes and she
probably was!"
"She was an angel," Linda
Jo said.
Jenn laughed. "An angel? Were you an angel, Katie
bug?"
Katie's head bobbed and her sagging piggy-tails danced
as her eyes sparkled. Jenn planted a kiss on her little nose and hugged her
close. "Good girl."
End Chapter 25
No comments:
Post a Comment