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“Right. Another needy kid who searched for love and found it online. I’m convinced that JR is catfishing, actively searching places on the web for these unloved teenagers who show signs of hatred and payback so he can manipulate them. And he seems to be picking those who might be slightly mentally challenged in their thinking like Jeb Stone.”
“If you’re right, why hasn’t Larry been able to find him. That man’s a genius with the internet.”
“So’s JR. He’s playing with us. Having had time to put his plans into action, he’s deleted every lead we might have come across. Like I said before, the puppet master’s pulling our strings, controlling the action exactly the way he wants. But there’s a chance we get a break with Leanne. If she can identify him, we might be able to find the bastard.”
“Wait. Hold it. Mellie said that Chrissie and Leanne were together at the mall when Chrissie recognized Jess. I’m going to contact Chrissie and see if she’d be willing to look through those yearbooks too.”
“Good thinking. I’ll see you inside.”
Lori went to leave the car but stopped and turned back to see Beau working his phone. “Beau, I didn’t mean to upset you about Mellie. It just came out wrong.”
Beau lowered his hands to his lap and stared into her anxious eyes. “I overreacted too. Guess if your impression of me didn’t matter so much, it wouldn’t have pushed my buttons like that.” When he heard his own words, he waited to see if she’d repudiate them.
When her gaze lowered to hide her feelings, he sensed shyness. Now that meant it mattered to her, that he mattered. And his heart rate soared. A groan escaped before he could stop it and instantly the car’s atmosphere became electric. Sensations flooded every inch of the space, and each molecule of air inside the vehicle became invested.
She hesitated, her hand reaching for his but her eyes still down. She squeezed his fingers. “I’m sorry.” Words that had so many different meanings were all she said before wrenching open the door and hurrying from his view.
Chapter Thirty-one
Lori had to take a few minutes to let her pulse slow down before she strolled to the room she wanted. Hand over a heart that felt shredded, she took deep breaths and willed her body to calm. Amazed by Beau’s power over her, she also had to accept his danger. She’d never had such strong reactions with anyone else. The need to throw herself into his arms had been huge and fighting those instincts had taken its toll.
Calmer now, she pushed Beau’s charm to the back of her mind. Her first inclination something might be wrong was the missing guard. Then she opened the door to an empty room.
Swirling around, she headed to the bathroom and her pulse quieted when she saw the door closed. It meant Jessica was inside, right?
She waited for a few seconds for the door to open and when it did, she watched as the cleaning lady appeared.
“Oh, sorry, Miss. I didn’t see you there.”
Now her previous worry returned. “I came to visit Jessica Boland.”
“She’s not here.”
“Yes, I can see that. Do you know where she is?”
Before the lady could answer, a nurse entered with fresh flowers in a big vase.
Holding up her hand to stop her, Lori spoke with authority. “I’m Agent Page. Where is Miss Boland?”
“She’s in imaging, I suppose. They had her booked for x-rays. Shouldn’t be too long… oh, here she is now.”
Relaxing after her initial fright that Jess might have escaped, she stood back while they guided the bent-over, limping girl to her bed. Today her injuries looked even worse, her face especially. Blackened around the eyes, her cheeks appeared purple with yellow highlights where the bruising had begun to fade. Still slightly swollen, the cut on her cheek looked as if healing had begun it’s magic.
Lori spoke first. “Hi Jessica. I’m glad to see you’re able to get around a bit.”
Jessica refused to meet her eyes. Instead she looked the other way and saw the flowers. “What’re those roses doing here?”
The others had left the room, which meant that Lori went over to them. Already curious as to who might have sent her perp a rich bouquet like these, she carried them to the overbed table and set the vase down in front of Jess now reclining in her bed.
“Here’s the card.”
Jess took it, and her eyes narrowed at the words written there. Lori leaned closer and saw a scrolled message and the irony wasn’t lost.I’m sorryhad been printed in large letters.
Before Lori could ask about the note, Jessica’s face turned mean. She tossed it to the floor. “Bullshit. Everything is bullshit.” Tears began to flow down her swollen cheeks and the agony in her expression tore open Lori’s sympathy. She put the flowers aside, shoved the table away, and then reached for the girl… hugging her, forcing the move when the other girl tried to push her away.
“Shush,Jessi[LW1]. It’s okay, honey. Cry. You deserve to. This fucking world hasn’t treated you decently or fairly, not by a long shot.”
Jessica continued struggling, shoving at Lori’s strong arms but her emotions were so overpowering that she finally just held on and sobbed.
