Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [19]
Warren frowned. Chewed his lip. Rabbit Island, he muttered.
Time to go, Katy! called the woman in scrubs, who Rhonda figured must be her mother. Trudy was still holding on to her arm, like she might crumple and fall without the extra support. Trudy glared at Rhonda with such fierce hatred that Rhonda felt her stomach do an icy drop down into her bowels.
See you guys later, Katy said, taking her leave.
SO HOW WELLdo you know Peter? Warren asked once they were alone again. Peter and Crowley were still hidden away in Pats officeit had been nearly an hour.
Rhonda took in a breath while she considered what to say.
We grew up together. Next door neighbors. He was like my big brother.
You know, I thought you guys were a couple at first. Until Peter started talking about his wife and little girl, Warren said.
Theyre not married, Rhonda said again, as if that made any difference. And no, she continued, allowing herself for half an instant to imagine that alternate universe where she and Peterwere a couple and had been living happily ever after all along.
Were just good friends. She gave him her best and-Im-just-fine-with-that smile.
Warren nodded, plucked at his goatee. So do you think he could have had anything to do with this, or is Crowley barking up the wrong tree?
No question. Wrong tree entirely, Rhonda said. Hes wasting valuable time.
But if it was his mother-in-laws car
Didnt I just say they werent married?
We dont know that for sure. I was actually thinking I might take a ride over to Laura Lees after I leave here. See what her story is.
Mind if I tag along?
What? Why would you want to do that?
Curiosity. And besides, what else am I gonna do? Uncle Jim and Aunt Pat are all caught up here and its not like I know anyone else in town. Come on, you can show me the exciting sights of Pikes Crossing. He flashed her a warm smile that Rhonda, in spite of herself, found impossible to resist.
I dont know if Laura Lees trailer counts. Shes kind of a nut job, Rhonda warned.
I like nut jobs. Come on, every great sleuth has a sidekick, right?
I dont know Rhonda said. She eyed the hallway leading back to the office, thinking of Peter. Ridiculous. She didnt need his permission or approval.
Okay, Rhonda agreed. Why not?
LAURA LEE CLARKStrailer rested on a cinder block foundation about one hundred feet back from Nickel Lake. The trailer itself was an old metal one, covered in faded and peeling flamingo-colored paint. The yard was a forest of lawn ornaments, whirligigs, bird feeders, and bird baths. Rhonda led Warren through the gnomes, colored gazing globes, and wooden cutouts of fat women bending over, showing their knickers. Rhonda was trying to seem calm and composed, but inside, she was fuming. She had learned, on the drive over, that Pat, who had been friendly to the point of near nausea today, considered Rhonda a suspect.
What did your aunt say to you on the way out? Rhonda had asked Warren. There was something odd in the way the ever-friendly Pat had pulled Warren aside and whispered in his ear just before they left the Mini Mart together.
Warrens face reddened a little at Rhondas question.
Come on, Rhonda said. I thought you were Mr. Think Positive, Surround Yourself with White Light and Dont Ever Tell a Lie.
Warren laughed, chewed on his lip. Hardly.
So really, whatd she say? You both looked all serious and conspiratorial.
She told me to stick close to you, he admitted.
Why, does she think that bunnys coming after me next? It hadnt occurred to her until that moment. The rabbit, she recalled, had gotten a good look at her. She was a witness.
Not exactly, Warren said.
Well, what then?
Warren worked at his lip some more.
She thinks, he paused, that maybe youre involved somehow.
What, like I helped with the kidnapping? Rhondas voice raised in pitch.
Relax, Warren said. Pats just a leave-no-stone-unturned