by Max Parrott
"Maybe."
"Well, a maybe's good enough for me. I think we're done for the day, Jasmine. Why don't you and Luffy go out and stretch your legs a bit?"
***
"Need a ride?" a familiar voice called.
Jasmine narrowed her eyes, shielding them with a hand, as she and Luffy stepped out of the station. The spring rains had given way to another wave of heat and sun, boiling the last of the dampness out of the ground.
Charles was there in the parking lot, waiting beside his parked car.
"Actually, I was going to take a walk," Jasmine said.
He shrugged. "I can join you, if you'll have me. Now that you know I'm not a murderer."
Jasmine laughed. "Sure. Come along."
They headed east away from the station, strolling through the bright, hot air out into the suburbs.
"It was you, wasn't it?" Jasmine asked.
"Hm?"
"You're the one who called the station that night and got me out."
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."
"No? Come on, there's no use lying. Your family has weight around here. You could have swung it. You can tell me no, but you know me; I'll figure it out eventually."
"Yes," he said with a sigh. "I suppose you would. Fine, I admit it. I called in and gave Barrett a verbal thrashing that probably should have landed me in jail right next to you. But it worked."
"Why did you do it?" Jasmine asked.
He shrugged. "You're a friend, and I thought the idea of you killing Oliver was preposterous. And the idea of you sitting in jail didn't sit well. So I decided to do something about it."
"Yup," said Jasmine. "I'm sure that was it."
"What, you don't believe me? Is it so rare for people to take the initiative and do what's right in this world? I suppose it is. But that reflects well on me and poorly on the rest of humanity."
Jasmine grinned. "Keep telling yourself that."
Charles stared at her, clearly dumbfounded.
"He doesn't get it," Luffy said. "You'll have to guide him in."
"The ring," Jasmine said. "The favor you asked Alicia for. Breaking me out of jail. Hello?"
Charles narrowed his eyes... then suddenly burst out laughing.
"You thought you were the girl I had a crush on?" he asked.
"You're telling me I'm not?"
"Yes, I am telling you that. There's nothing the matter with you Jasmine, but you're not my type. I'm quite content to remain as friends."
"Then what...? Who...?"
"Christine Lackey," Charles said dreamily.
"Her?" Jasmine asked. She shrugged. "Well, fair enough. She is gorgeous. And nice."
"And smart," said Charles. "The most important thing."
"I'm smart too," Jasmine said.
"That you are. Almost frighteningly, in fact. I'm sorry, Jasmine. I don't know what else to say."
"So," said Jasmine, thinking back to a friend from Blackwood Cove. "This is how it feels from the other side. Ugly and embarrassing."
Charles laughed. "Don't be dramatic. I know you don't have those feelings for me either. Friends, yes?"
"Friends," she confirmed.
Luffy stepped up in between them, grinning up as he panted in the heat. "More friends! I love friends!"
"But that dog of yours still smells bad," Charles remarked.
"Ah, man, I can't wait to pee on your car again," Luffy added.
Jasmine laughed. Charles laughed with her. And they kept on walking for a little while longer, not thinking of or talking about anything in particular. But soon it would be time to start thinking again. Classes would start back up after a short break, in the wake of everything that had happened. Things would go back to normal, or as close to normal as they could get.
Jasmine just hoped no one else would die before she made it back home.
Dear Reader,
Thanks for helping Jaz and Luffy solve the case! If you have enjoyed the book…
…could you kindly leave a review?
Thanks,
Max
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