Lady in Red

by Stacy Claflin

  “Me?”

  “The woman lured Tinsley through the woods.”

  “Right, but she didn’t take her.”

  Alex stopped pacing in front of the desk. “That part probably didn’t go according to plan. I’m sure she didn’t mean for Tinsley to go down into the ravine.”

  “What would I have in common with the family of the abducted girl?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s a stretch, but I can’t come up with anything else. I have no ties to them.”

  “I’ll play.” Nick turned to his computer. “But only because we can’t visit Cal.”

  “What?” Alex exclaimed. “Why not?”

  “He’s in the infirmary. No visitors, not even police working on an active investigation.”

  Alex frowned. “Maybe the feds would have better luck.”

  Nick glanced up, his eyes wide. “Or …”

  “Or what?” Alex leaned on the desk.

  “Cal’s son could probably visit him.”

  Alex hated to use Damon like that because the kid hated seeing his dad, but it might be the only way to find out what was going on with the lady in red.

  Chapter 10

  Ariana glanced over at Damon from across the classroom. His smile melted her insides, made her knees go weak. She leaned against the nearest desk and pulled her attention to the girl sitting there, erasing half of her paper.

  “Need some help, Jolie?”

  She sighed dramatically and scrunched her face. “I hate algebra!”

  “Which part, exactly?” Ariana tried to tell what she’d just erased.

  “All of it.” Jolie tossed her pencil on the table and folded her arms. “When am I ever going to use this in real life?”

  “Don’t you want to be an architect?”

  “Yeah. So?”

  “Pretty sure architects use algebra.”

  Jolie threw her arms in the air. “I’m changing my dream to interior design. That doesn’t involve math, does it?”

  “Everything involves math.”

  The girl scowled at Ari. “Not everything. I’m going to find out what, and that’ll be my career.”

  Ariana pulled up a chair and glanced at the open textbook. They spent the next ten minutes discussing the equation until Jolie was able to solve it on her own.

  Damon clapped his hands. “Time’s up! Anyone with additional questions is welcome to stay and ask. That big test is tomorrow.”

  Groans filled the room as the kids packed up their notebooks and textbooks. Not a single person stayed.

  Ariana picked up some stray papers and tossed them into the trash before wrapping her arms around Damon and getting lost in his eyes. “I like co-leading a study group with you much better than being a student in your group.”

  His eyes shone. “I don’t know … I kind of liked it.”

  She stood on her toes and kissed him, closing her eyes and taking in the rugged scent of his cologne. It made her think of being on the beach.

  He cupped the back of her neck as he pulled away. “You’re right. This is definitely better.”

  “Even though you did kiss me when I was your student?” The corners of her mouth twitched.

  Damon pressed his finger to her mouth. “Don’t say that so loud.”

  She giggled.

  He glanced around. “We should probably get going.”

  Ari frowned. “Why? This is the only time we can be alone. My dad doesn’t trust us at all.”

  “I can’t imagine why.” He pulled her close, pinning her between the wall and himself, then kissed her deeply, taking her breath away.

  She gasped for air after he pulled back. It was still so hard to believe Damon was her boyfriend. Not only was he in high school, but everywhere they went, girls his age glared at her with jealousy. Many of them even dared to flirt with him in front of her. But he never gave any of them a second glance, and he never treated her differently for being a middle schooler.

  He had eyes only for her, and they were looking at her right then. His fingertip trailed along her jawline before tracing her lips. Her heart threatened to explode. Did he have any idea what he did to her?

  “We really should get going.” His voice was even deeper than usual. He glanced out the door and stepped away. “Your dad has eyes everywhere.”

  She drew in a deep breath and steadied her legs. “The fun of being a cop’s kid.”

  “At least we can still be together.”

  “Just can’t be alone.” She blew some hair from her eyes and grabbed her bag.

  “But we still have plenty of opportunities to be together.” He threaded his fingers through hers. “And I honestly couldn’t ask for more.”

  Ariana sighed. “I sure could.”

  They walked into the hall and barely made it twenty feet before crossing paths with one of the school officers. Surprise, surprise. He was probably ready and waiting to bust them for kissing. Good thing Dad didn’t know, and that only made her stolen kisses and caresses all the more thrilling.

  “Hi, Mike!” She smiled as she waved at the officer.

  He nodded. “Ariana, Damon.”

  “You’re bold,” Damon whispered.

  She shrugged. “We don’t have anything to hide.”

  “So, you don’t mind him seeing us kiss like we did in the classroom?”

  “I didn’t say that.” She grinned.

  From the corner of her eye, she could see Mike still watching them. She picked up her pace, practically dragging Damon.

  He laughed. “Easy there.”

  “You’re still coming to watch the football practice with me and my friends, right?”

  Damon squeezed her hand. “Anything to spend time with you.”

  She beamed, then turned to go down another hall when something caught her eye and made her stop in her tracks.

  “What’s wrong?” Damon looked around.

  “That’s what I was going to ask.” She pushed up his sleeve, exposing a bruise the size of a man’s fist. “What’s that all about?”

  He frowned. “It’s nothing.”

  “Doesn’t look like nothing to me.” She stared him down. “Is it your foster dad?”

  Damon shook his head. “No, he’s not like that.”

  “Who, then?”

  He pulled away and stuffed his hands into his pockets. “It’s those same jocks who’ve been giving me problems for a long time. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Did you hit them back?” Ariana demanded.

  “No. I’m not about to risk my grades or attendance records. I’m on track for some really good scholarships, and I’m going to need those more than ever with my dad in jail. I never wanted to lean on him for that, anyway.” He cleared his throat. “Let’s just get to the field.”

  She snuggled up to him. “I get it. I’m already looking at scholarships, too. I can’t apply until high school, though. My parents want to help, but they’re struggling to pay for a family vacation. College is way more.”

  He put his arm around her as they headed in the direction of the middle school football field. Ariana wanted to say more about those jerks at his school, but Damon could handle himself. Heck, he could beat them up if he wanted to. It was impressive that he had the restraint not to, especially given the shape he was in. He’d spent years building his strength to be able to stand up to his dad one day.

  Now he’d never have to since her dad had put his behind bars. Even if he hadn’t been the one to arrest Cal, he’d been the one to orchestrate his capture.

  Ari and Damon exited the building and made their way to the field. Just as they passed through the gates, Damon froze. His whole body tensed.

  She jerked to a stop. “What’s the matter?”

  “They’re here.”

  “Who?” She looked around, trying to figure out who he meant.

  “The jocks.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. “Seriously? They’re here?”

  Damon’s grip around Ariana tightened
. “Yeah. Right over there.”

  She followed his gaze to see a group of four guys in high school varsity jackets laughing together near the concession stand. Some cheerleaders from her school giggled with them. Her blood boiled. “They’re the ones who hit you?”

  He gave a slight nod. “Let’s find your friends.”

  Part of her wanted to march over and give them a piece of her mind, but she just nodded. “Lola said they’d be over there.”

  She led the way to the section her friends always liked to sit in. Before they got there, Emily started waving furiously. Ari waved back to let her know she saw them, but her friend kept waving and making funny faces. That was just Emily.

  The crowd cheered, distracting her. Ariana and Damon squeezed by other kids until they reached her friends.

  Damon turned to her. “Is this a game? I thought it was a practice.”

  “This weekend, they have a huge game. Everyone’s already pumped for it.”

  “Gotcha. That explains why so many kids from my school are here.”

  They sat, and Damon started talking with a guy in the row behind them. Probably someone from his school.

  Lola leaned over to Ari. “I still can’t believe he’s your boyfriend! How’d you manage to snag such a hot high schooler?”

  Ari’s face warmed, but she also beamed. “Just lucky, I guess.”

  Lola grabbed Ari’s hand and rubbed it on her arm. “Give me some of your luck, girlfriend.”

  Ariana laughed. “He was my tutor. Maybe try that?”

  She scrunched her face. “I did have a tutor. The kid was a total nerd.” She glanced over at Damon. “Nothing like him.”

  “Try again?” Ariana said.

  “Does he have a brother?”

  “Nope.”

  Lola’s face lit up. “I have the best idea!”

  “Uh oh. What?”

  Her friend glanced back and forth between Damon and Ari. “You’re going to have your annual Halloween party, right?”

  “Yeah. That’s why it’s called annual.”

  Lola scooted closer. “Have him invite all his hottie friends. Could you imagine? A party for both middle and high schoolers!”

  “I’m not sure we could fit more people in my house.” Ariana tried to imagine doubling the guest list. It would be crazy, and besides, Mimi and Papi were likely to say no.

  “Then have it somewhere else.” Lola looked at her expectantly.

  Ari chewed on her lower lip. “But it’s always at my place.”

  “So? We’re getting older. Makes sense the party would get bigger, more epic.”

  “I guess.”

  “You guess? No, you know.” Lola arched a brow.

  “Where would I have it?”

  “You could rent a hall or something.”

  Ariana sighed and shook her head. “That’ll cost too much money. Remember, my mom and dad are saving every dollar.”

  “I just had another stroke of brilliance!” Lola grabbed Ari’s arm.

  “I’m afraid to ask what.”

  “Charge an entrance fee! And if you make extra, put it toward the vacation. Your parents can’t say no to that. And people would totally pay. Kids are already talking about your party. I overheard Sasha and Bella talking about it at lunch.”

  Ari’s heart skipped a beat. “They were?”

  Lola nodded dramatically. “Yeah. They were discussing costumes.”

  Ari’s heart thundered. The most popular girls in her school were looking forward to her party? She was really going to have to up her game.

  Chapter 11

  As the kids trudged to their rooms to do homework, Nick called Tinsley back to the dining room.

  She turned around with a curious look in her eyes. “Yes?”

  Nick took Genevieve’s hand. “We’d like to talk with you for a few minutes, if that’s okay.”

  The girl’s eyes widened. “Okay.”

  He exchanged a glance with Genevieve. They were both disappointed Tinsley was back to speaking one-word answers. Not only was that losing ground, but it would make it all the harder to find out exactly what had happened the other night.

  “You’re not in trouble,” Genevieve reassured her. “We just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  Tinsley nodded and sat on a recliner.

  Nick drew in a deep breath as he and Genevieve sat on the loveseat next to her. “How did school go today?”

  “Okay.”

  Genevieve leaned forward and pulled her long dark hair from the ponytail. “You didn’t have any problems with schoolwork? Or any kids?”

  Tinsley shook her head no.

  “We’d feel better if you could give us more than one-word replies.”

  Tinsley frowned. “Sorry.”

  Nick patted her knee. “Don’t apologize, sweetie. We’re concerned, that’s all. After everything you’ve already been through, we don’t want you to relapse.”

  “Because of my first parents.”

  Relief washed through Nick at her use of a complete sentence.

  Genevieve relaxed against him and tucked some hair behind her ear. “Yes, exactly. We want you to feel comfortable talking about anything—including them. We’re here for you. You know that, right?”

  Tinsley nodded.

  Genevieve blinked a few times. “Will you tell us more about the lady in red?”

  She froze, her eyes wide.

  “We’re not upset,” Nick said quickly. “Just trying to understand.”

  Tinsley played with a lock of hair and her gaze darted between the two of them. “I didn’t see her face.”

  “We know,” Genevieve said. “And we believe you. But we think the same woman took another girl today.”

  Tinsley’s mouth dropped open and her face paled. “Is she going to be okay?”

  Nick nodded. “She’s already back with her parents. But we’re worried she might take another child. You might be able to help us prevent that from happening.”

  Tinsley rocked back and forth, chewing on a nail.

  Genevieve turned to Nick. “Maybe that’s too much pressure on her. It’s not her fault the—”

  “No!” Tinsley stamped her foot. “I want to help.”

  They both turned to her.

  Tinsley’s eyes were full of determination. “How can I help?”

  Nick held her gaze for a moment before speaking. “Why did you follow her?”

  She chewed on her lower lip and twisted hair around her finger so tightly her skin turned white. “I … um …”

  “We won’t be mad,” Genevieve reminded her. “We’re just glad you’re safe, and we want to stop the lady from doing this again.”

  “Can you tell us everything you can remember?” Nick asked.

  Tinsley glanced to the side before turning back to them. “Something woke me up.”

  “What?” Nick asked.

  Genevieve nudged him.

  “Go on,” he said.

  Tinsley sucked her lower lip and held her breath for a moment. “I didn’t know what woke me.” She paused. “So, I went to the window.”

  Nick tensed, silently urging his daughter to speak faster but at the same time, not wanting to rush her or shut her down.

  “That’s when I saw her.” Tinsley twisted her sleeve then rocked back and forth again before continuing. “At first, I thought …” She glanced at Genevieve before looking away quickly. “She reminded me of Mother. Sorry, Momma.”

  Genevieve leaned forward again. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

  Tinsley kept her gaze averted. “I thought maybe Mother was still alive.” She played with a thread on her pants. “I didn’t know what to do. She kept waving me toward her.”

  Nick’s stomach knotted. Had the woman been going after Tinsley specifically, or would she have been happy with any of the girls? But more importantly, how had she known the kids would be sleeping in the treehouse that night?

  “Did you want to ask her questions?” Genevieve asked
.

  Tinsley nodded. “I followed her. She ran ahead. I couldn’t catch up, and then I got lost.”

  “And fell into the ravine,” Nick finished.

  “Yeah.”

  Genevieve pulled out her phone. “Would you be willing to look at a picture and tell us if it looks like her?”

  “You have a photo of her?”

  “A drawing.” Genevieve unlocked her phone. “The other girl’s brother told the police artist what she looked like—the woman who took the other little girl.”

  “I’m not little.” Tinsley held her gaze.

  Genevieve shook her head. “No, you’re not. But will you be okay to look at the illustration?”

  “Show me.”

  Nick and Genevieve exchanged a pensive expression before she handed Tinsley the phone.

  Their daughter held the phone, narrowing her eyes and licking her lips. Brought it close and held it out.

  “What do you think?” Nick asked, not knowing how Genevieve could sit there so patiently.

  Tinsley looked up at him. “It might be her.”

  “But you don’t know?”

  She looked down at the screen again. “The dress looks the same. I didn’t see her face.”

  Genevieve tensed. “You’re sure the dress is similar?”

  “Not similar. The same.”

  Nick and Genevieve exchanged another glance.

  “Can I go now?” Tinsley asked. “I have a test tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “Tell us if you think of anything else, sweetie. Anything could be helpful, even if it seems insignificant.”

  She nodded before scurrying out of the room.

  Genevieve turned to him. “She thought her birth mom was alive?”

  Nick shrugged. “She’d just been woken, was probably in a fog. I wouldn’t take it personally.”

  “It’s not like that.”

  He put his arm around her and kissed her temple.

  “Does she think we’re keeping secrets from her? That we’re hiding things from her?”

  “Baby, I’m sure it’s nothing. She woke up confused, that’s all. Probably wishes things had been different with her birth parents. That bond is strong. Look at my kids—all three react differently to Corrine, but they have to deal with the fact that she’s a hardened criminal.”