CHAPTER 12
524 Words
CHAPTER 12
Kennedy would never believe any of those suspense novels that had the heroines screaming in every chapter. Her breath caught in her throat, every muscle in her body seized up at once, and she stood paralyzed, staring at the form in the doorway.
When she saw Pastor Carl, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to throw herself into his arms for a bear hug or collapse on the ground like a lump of gelatinous mold.
“You know him?” Willow asked. She had snatched the hardcover Bible off Kennedy’s shelf and held it high above her head.
“It’s ok. This is Pastor Carl.” She laughed nervously, picturing Willow swinging the huge book in an attempt to ward off an attack. Silly as it looked, it was more than Kennedy had thought to do. “What are you doing here?”
Carl was winded. He put his hands on his knees and bent forward at the waist. “Your dad called me. Explained about that Gino guy, said he was implicated somehow with everything. He asked me to check up on you. I called at least a dozen times and couldn’t get through, so I drove over here.” He glanced at Willow, who was now holding the Bible at waist level. “You can put that down, Miss. I know a thing or two about defending myself from Bible thumpers.”
For the first time in Kennedy’s memory, Willow looked sheepish, and she replaced the Bible on its shelf.
“And as for you, young lady.” Pastor Carl clasped Kennedy on the shoulder. “You’re coming home with us. We’ll drive you to Logan tomorrow in time for you to fly to your aunt’s.”
Kennedy wasn’t about to argue. She glanced at Willow, who seemed eager for the chance to excuse herself. “Don’t you think you should come, too?” she asked.
Willow shook her head. “Nah. I still might head over to Toby’s. You know, just in case.”
“You should still call the police.” Kennedy studied Willow’s eyes. Was she going to take care of herself? “Or do you want me to do it?”
Willow pouted. “No, I will. I’m the one who made a mess of it.”
“What are you getting the police involved for?” Carl looked from one girl to the other. “What’s been going on?”
“It was me.” Willow’s voice was completely deflated. “I met this guy, and I thought he was ...”
“Willow might have accidentally given our dorm room information out, that’s all,” Kennedy jumped in.
Carl frowned. “You need to come with us too, then. I’m not about to leave you alone by yourself ...”
Willow picked up her duffel. “I’m all right. I was just leaving anyway.” She swung the bag over her shoulder.
Just the thought that Willow had talked with anybody involved in the events of last fall curdled the blood beneath Kennedy’s skin. “Be safe,” she whispered and did her best to offer a reassuring smile.
“Hey, I’ll be just fine.” Willow pulled her hair behind her ears. “It’s not me they want, remember?”
“That’s right.” Carl prodded both girls into the hall and shut the door behind them. “That’s why Kennedy’s coming with me, and you’re welcome to as well,” he added to Willow.
She flashed one of her stage smiles to reveal dazzling white teeth. “Don’t worry about me.” She lowered her gaze and stared at Kennedy. “You be careful now, all right?”
“I will.” Kennedy wondered why it felt like they were saying good-bye. Break was only a few short weeks. “You, too,” she whispered and followed Carl down the stairs.
- Writer
