Beg Me(73)

Mrs. Adams’ eyes filled up with tears again.

“Canterdale High,” she said faintly. “I can barely even think about Canterdale now that my poor Brian’s gone. You know how much he loved that school, he was so into school spirit and the sports teams,” she said softly.

“Of course I remember,” said Callie. “Brian was the star of the football team.”#p#分页标题#e#

Okay, that was a bit of an exaggeration. From our investigation, we knew that the Adams kid had been a decent second-string player, not a stand-out. But why shame the dead? Only speak good of those who can no longer speak for themselves.

Callie continued. “Is there anything we can help with? You and Mr. Adams have always done so much for me, it’s the least I can do.”

Mrs. Adams breathed in deeply and closed her eyes for a moment.

“We’ve always had a commitment to the school and that’s not going to end because of our son’s death,” she said, resolutely lifting her chin. “Come in Callie, please sit and have some tea.”

Our girl’s cheeks flushed. “Thank you Mrs. Adams, I’d love to,” she said, and we stepped over the threshold into the imposing mansion.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN


Blake




Callie doesn’t know it, but my brother and I have our suspicions about Jane and John Adams. On the surface, they’re a perfect family. Generous donors to Canterdale, even sponsoring a scholarship for needy students, with a perfect, athletic son who was Harvard-bound.

But often it’s those who appear immaculate on the outside who have secrets to hide. And we’d been tipped off by an unexpected source … Valerie, Chrissy’s sister.

The tip had been unexpected. Bryan and I had been at the library, ostensibly studying but really trying to get to know some of the honors students who had palled around with Brian Adams and Tyler Needham. After two hours of uninterrupted reading, a bunch of kids decided to step outside for a break, a few surreptitiously lighting cigarettes.

It was here that a girl with bleached blonde hair, slightly overweight but still attractive, approached the group.

“Oh great,” groaned Amy, a fussbudget. “The former prom queen is back.”

That was interesting. Why would someone who’d already graduated stop by study hall?

The girl sauntered over.

“Hey,” she said directly to us. “I’m Val. You’re Blake and Bryan, right? The new guys?”

It was strange that she knew our names. But okay, we’d roll with it.

“Yeah, I’m Bryan, this is Blake,” drawled my brother. “Can we help you?”

“Not here,” she said, her nose wrinkling, looking around like there was a bad smell. “This isn’t exactly where I’m most comfortable, if you get what I mean,” she said, eyeing the honors students with suspicion.

And they were eyeing her back with just as much distaste. I could see why. Val was dressed in wildly clashing leggings and a fur vest with heavy make-up, while the kids we were with were straight shooters, wearing button-down shirts with carefully pressed jeans.

“Val, just leave them alone,” said Amy, the bossy girl. “Your time at Canterdale is over, seriously just go,” she said, rolling her eyes.

Valerie assumed a nasty expression.

“Shut up,” she spat. “You know nothing about me and besides, I never graduated. Maybe I’ll re-enroll and make your life hell,” she threatened.

“Oh god,” said another unnamed girl. “Spare us, please.”

But we wanted to hear what the girl had to say. So I stubbed out my cigarette and turned to Amy.

“Be back in five. Come on Bryan,” I said. “Let’s go to the bodega around the corner, I could use a coffee.” High school kids were always there, buying sandwiches and drinks and whatnot. We wouldn’t stand out.

And at the bodega, Val was shameless.#p#分页标题#e#

“Buy me a hot dog?” she said, a dog already in her hand.

Bryan snorted. “We’re not exactly millionaires,” he said darkly. “We live in a trailer.”

“Oh I know,” the blonde wheedled. “But I could use a hot dog to relax, you know loosen up a little.”

“Fine,” said my brother gracelessly, plunking another five on the counter. I knew he’d bill this to the SFPD.

The girl began gobbling up the hot dog as I tapped my foot impatiently.

“So what did you have to tell us?” I asked. There was work to be done, and I didn’t want to waste time.

“I was just wondering,” she said through gobbled mouthfuls of food. “Didn’t you guys do a make-up for biology recently?”