Alexander Death(106)
“We sure don't,” Jenny agreed.
“They'll probably cover everything up,” Heather said. “The White House won't want any questions about where the remains of Fallen Oak's loved ones have been for the last four months.”
“I hope you're right,” Seth said.
Heather took a deep breath and brought out her cell phone. “I think that's everything.”
“I think it is,” Jenny said.
“Just give us twenty minutes,” Seth said.
“You got it.” Heather winked at him, and Jenny rolled her eyes.
They left Heather standing just inside the gate. As Seth drove them away, Jenny opened up Esmeralda's purse and unwrapped a few Power Bars, which he wolfed down in a single stack. Under the Power Bars, she found a cheap Flip video camera and a rainbow of credit cards, all of them with different names, probably stolen by Ashleigh and Tommy from different people. One of the cards caught Jenny's eye, and she frowned.
“Seth,” Jenny said. “We have to make one extra stop.”
“We can't, Jenny. We need to get to the airfield right now. Hale is waiting for us.” Seth's dad had paid a premium for Hale's help in smuggling Seth and Jenny out of the country, a huge fee that included Barrett Capital contracting with Hale Risk Management to evaluate a number of potential investments in India.
“It'll only take a minute,” Jenny said. “I promise.”
CHAPTER FORTY
“Hi, welcome to Taco Bell,” Darcy Metcalf said, and then a look of wide-eyed shock appeared on her face. “Oh, holy cow.”
“Hi, Darcy,” Seth said. “Can we talk with you a sec?”
Darcy's eyes were huge as she stared at Jenny. Jenny gave her the best smile she could manage.
“Jeepers,” Darcy said. “Um, okay. Did you want anything to eat?”
“Six chili cheese burritos for me,” Seth said.
“Just take a booth. I'll wheel 'em right out for you. Well, not wheel 'em, I mean I'll just carry 'em,” Darcy said.
“Thanks.” Seth paid her, and then he and Jenny took a booth at the back corner of the Taco Bell.
At the counter, Darcy stacked paper-wrapped burritos onto a tray. “Hey, Ramon,” she said. “Can you cover the register? I'm going on break.”
A young Mexican man walked to the counter from the kitchen. “You going to eat all that yourself?” he asked.
“It's for my friends,” Darcy said. “Thanks for covering.”
“You know I got you covered,” he said. He spanked Darcy's rear as she walked off with the tray, and Darcy giggled and blushed. She sat down across from Seth and Jenny, and Seth immediately tore into the burritos.
“Did that guy just smack your ass?” Jenny asked.
“Oh, yeah, Ramon.” Darcy sighed, looking back at him. “Isn't he the foxiest? He's so good with Neveah, too.”
“Neveah?” Jenny asked.
“My little girl,” Darcy said. “I named her that 'cause it's Heaven spelled backwards.”
“Oh! Congratulations,” Jenny said.
“She's the best. Even my dad is nice to her. He's still being a turd about Maybelle, though.”
“Ashleigh's dog?” Seth asked.
“Yeah, she lives in my room now,” Darcy said. “Daddy hates it, but too bad, you know? He can't boss me around forever. Me and Ramon are gonna get our own place soon, anyway.”
“That's really great, Darcy.” Jenny couldn't help smiling. Darcy seemed genuinely happy. “Well, we won't take too much of your time. I just wanted to give you something.”
Jenny took out a PayPal debit card, which had a small pink Post-It note affixed to the back side, and slid it across the table. The name on the card was FALLEN OAK GIRLS' OUTREACH. Darcy's brow furrowed as she studied it.
“The password's on the back,” Jenny said. “That's all the money Ashleigh raised for the pregnant girls in town. I'm not sure how much is in there, but it might be a lot. She made the story into national news.”
“Oh, wow,” Darcy said.
“Darcy, you're in charge of this money now,” Jenny said. “Share it out with all the girls who need help.”
“Really?” Darcy gaped at her. “Why me?”
“Because I know we can trust you to do the right thing,” Jenny said.
“I don't know,” Darcy said. “That's a lot of responsibility.”
“You can handle it, Darcy. I have confidence in you.”
“Okay...” Darcy slipped the card into her pocket. “Wow. This is big.”
“One thing,” Jenny said, “Don't tell anybody we were here. Just tell them you found it on Ashleigh's desk or something when you taking care of Maybelle.”