Max sighed, reminding Janie of how she’d felt that Thursday morning—only three weeks ago—in Rafe’s office when he’d wanted her to repeat all the information she’d already given.
“He was in our math class. He sat in the back row and I never saw them together. But, as I told the cops already, that doesn’t mean anything. She did mention once that she thought he was ‘scary interesting’. Her words, not mine. Even Amanda seemed fascinated by him.”
Finally Max, looking resigned, stopped fidgeting and came to sit in the guest chair. He was no longer apologetic. He just seemed young.
“This is hard for you,” Janie observed.
“You have no idea. Ever since Brittney disappeared, it’s as if Amanda’s my responsibility. I don’t have a choice. I like being Amanda’s friend, but being her protector is a bit much. This semester, my mom told Mrs. Skinley my schedule and right away, Amanda’s enrolled in the same classes.”
“The Skinleys are overprotective?”
“No, not really. It’s just that they’ve already realized that Tommy’s not heading for college. He’s working at some construction job in Scorpion Ridge. I think they’re afraid Amanda’s gonna mess up if she doesn’t have someone to guide her.”
“Well, would she?”
“That’s just it. Not a chance. Amanda’s a good girl. She’s good without even trying. She’d rather draw than eat. And she’s really smart.”
“Was Brittney smart?”
“I couldn’t say,” Max admitted. “She was more interested in impressing her friends. That was easy for her to do.”
The way he said that indicated to Janie that Brittney’d sure impressed Max. If he’d been assigned to protect Brittney, he’d have considered it an answer to a teenage boy’s prayer. He scooted the visitor’s chair closer to Janie’s bed. “You don’t really think Brittney’s dead, do you? I mean, she could have just run away.”
“I’m not sure. Was she the type of girl to run away?”
For the first time, Janie saw the man that Max would someday be, and she was very impressed. Soulful brown eyes carefully studied Janie. Janie figured her face revealed the truth.
“No, she wasn’t the type to run away. She had it too good.” Max rose and backed a few feet away from Janie. “She’s dead.”
Janie opened her mouth and wished she’d let whatever drugs they’d been giving her put her to sleep. Anything so she wouldn’t have to tell Max she agreed with him.
“Max Carter, you’ve saved me a trip,” a voice cut in. Detective Williamson stood in the doorway, making it look both small and blocked.
Max froze.
“We’ve got a few more questions for you, but first I need to talk with Janie here. Wait for me in the lobby.”
Max started fidgeting again. Still, it didn’t reduce his speed. He slid past Detective Williamson, and Janie could hear his feet hitting the polished floor as he ran down the hallway.
“He’s going to be fine,” Detective Williamson said. “He’s not involved in whatever’s going on at Adobe Hills Community College, but he might know something he’s not even aware he knows.”