“Thank you.”
“I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.”
“Hold on just a minute.” Seconds later, she returned. “What can I help you with?”
“Did Kayleen have any enemies at Acorn?”
“Goodness, no. She was loved by everyone. Years ago, while Kayleen was a student, my husband and I were invited to spend an afternoon with the headmistress. She couldn’t say enough wonderful things about our Kay-Kay.”
“Was Kayleen close with the other victims?”
“Yes, all five of them were the best of friends. Kay-Kay started boarding at Acorn when she was in first grade.”
“Did she ever mention anything to you about bullying?”
“At Acorn? The administration would never allow that. It was such a warm and inclusive school. That’s one of the reasons Kay-Kay wanted to return year after year.”
“Did she ever mention someone whodidn’tfit in? Someone who was a troublemaker? Maybe someone she didn’t like.”
“No.”
After asking a few more dead-end questions, she hung up.
Brit checked Kayleen’s phone records. The homicide detective, Nikki Cardoso, had been thorough in her investigation, noting the many calls Kayleen made to Kurt, her mom, and to other Acorn graduates.
Movement caught her eye.
Rebel stood in the doorway, a large bouquet in his hand. Her heart skipped a beat. But it was the look of love in his eyes that had her rushing into his arms.
“Hello, beautiful,” he murmured and kissed her cheek. “How are you feeling?”
She loved that he cared enough to ask about her, loved that she’d become so important to him.
“I’m fine,” she replied.
“I saw the salt on the counter. Throat hurt?”
“Yeah, but it’s better than yesterday. I think the extra-strength antibiotic has kicked in.”
He handed her the bouquet. “For my babe.”
“Thank you.” Pressing her nose to one of several red roses, interspersed amongst the other flowers, she breathed deep. “I love how roses smell.”
He nuzzled her neck. “I love howyousmell.”
She ran her fingers down his striated arm. “Shawna—from Acorn—she got fired.”
“You know, that doesn’t surprise me,” he shrugged out of his coat.
“I called her, and the principal answered.”
“Then, we’re definitely on the right path,” he said. “We’ll keep digging and eventually we’ll find all the skeletons.”
“Do you have a vase?”
“I bought one.”
She clasped his hand. “You are so thoughtful.”
