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The click-clack of heels ricocheted behind them, and he glanced over his shoulder and into the worried eyes of Ms. Teller. He stood and helped Marie to her feet.
Ms. Teller clasped her fingers in front of her, stroking her thumb against her knuckle over and over again. “I’m sorry, but I checked the video feed from the security cameras. The cameras are pointed toward the parking lot, but not directly in front of the doors.”
Owen tunneled his hand through his hair. He couldn’t catch a break.
“Do you think it was Bill? That he’s still following me?” Marie’s small voice relaxed the tension coiling around his body.
Ms. Teller bounced her gaze between them. “Who’s Bill? I thought you were looking for Eddy?”
Owen wrapped an arm around Marie’s trembling shoulders and grazed his fingertips against the skin on her biceps but focused on Ms. Teller. The principal had been helpful and supplied the budget report and inventory list for the chemistry department, but he wouldn’t give the woman more information than needed.
“There are many parts to this investigation. Unfortunately, I can’t discuss them all with you, but thank you for your help.” He fished a business card from his back pocket and handed it to her. “Call me if you have any more information regarding Eddy.”
A black SUV barreled into the parking lot and glided to the curb in front of them. The passenger side window slid down, and Katherine stared out from behind the steering wheel. “I hear you might need a ride.”
Owen opened the back door for Marie then hopped into the front seat. “Thanks. You remember, Marie, right?”
Katherine flicked her eyes to the rearview mirror and offered a tight smile. “Hello, again.”
“Hello.”
“Who called you?” Owen asked. The day had been one disaster after another, and the only calls he’d put in were to the sheriff’s department and the tow company. Dad was at the hospital with Tommy, and he’d assumed Katherine was still with Pappy.
“Dad. I offered to come get you.” She pulled away from the school and onto the main road.
“What about Pappy? He shouldn’t be alone.” The throbbing in the middle of his forehead took up a steady beat and exhaustion made his eyes heavy. He had so many balls to juggle, and one wrong move would cause everything to come crashing at his feet.
“I’m glad to hear you say that. I got him home in one piece, but he needs someone with him for the next few days. He’s weak and shaky on his feet. I was with him all day and need to get some stuff done, and Tommy’s being kept overnight for observation. That leaves you.” She spared him a quick glance before returning her focus to the road.
Leaning his head against the seat, he sighed and squeezed his eyes shut for a second. The motion of the car through the slow limits relaxed his muscles. “I have too much to do. I can’t just sit around babysitting the old man.”
“And I can?” Katherine asked, her voice tight and dripping with insult.
He leaned his elbow on the side of the door, just below the rolled-up window, and cradled his head in his hand. “You know that’s not what I meant. But I got another lead, and I still need to go through Erica Zyler’s space. I can’t just let these guys run around town while I twiddle my thumbs at Pappy’s. They’re dangerous.”
“When’s the last time you ate? How long have you been awake?” Katherine softened her tone.
As if on command, his stomach growled. “It’s been a long day.”
Katherine tipped her head behind her and lowered her voice. “What about her? You’re dragging her all over, understandably, but she needs a break…and so do you. We both know cases like this can drag on a lot longer than we’d like. You’ll get run down if you don’t take care of yourself.”
Owen glanced behind him. Marie sat with her head rested against the door, her eyes closed. Katherine was right. He could force himself to go a few more hours, but not Marie. She’d had a day from hell. He needed to take care of her. Needed to get her back to the shelter and Nora. “Fine. I can make some calls and still get some stuff done. But I’ll need to take Marie back to Pine Valley first.”
“Fine,” she mimicked. “I can stay with Pappy a while longer, and you can use my car. I’ll come back in the morning. I’ve shuffled some appointments around to make it work, but I’ll need you to stay tomorrow night if possible.” A beat of silence passed. “Pappy’s been asking about Marie.”
He chanced another peek at Marie. Her chest rose slowly, her mouth parted and a softness he hadn’t witnessed took over her face. In sleep she could escape the horrors of her life, leaving a peaceful glow that had him fighting the urge to trace his fingertips along her jawline and over her plump lips. “I’m still surprised Pappy’s taken to her like he has. He barely tolerates us.”
Katherine snorted. “He loves us in his own way. It’s just different since Mom died. A large part of him died with her, and what’s left of him is haunted by the past. He told me Marie reminds him of Mom. Probably why he’s so protective of her.”
Owen squinted and studied the dark hair and high cheekbones, a jab of guilt punching him at studying her while asleep. “She doesn’t look anything like Mom.”
Katherine chuckled. “I think it has more to do with her personality, her situation. He couldn’t save Mom, and Marie is his second chance at keeping someone alive.”
Marie’s eyes fluttered open and locked on his.
Warmth engulfed him, and he winced. She’d caught him staring. He tensed, waiting for a disapproving look or heated words, but a slow smile crept onto her face. He matched her grin with one of his own. “Are you hungry?”
She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Starving.”
