Free Traceless by Debra Webb Page A

to that awful night as Emily had so many, many times. "I tried my best to recall if I'd seen anyone, but I couldn't be absolutely certain there wasn't someone lurking around the neighborhood. It all happened too fast."

    "But you told the police you didn't see anyone, right?" She needed to hear him say that. Needed that confirmation. Probably the passage of time had clouded his memory. She didn't even remember him testifying at the trial and she'd thought she would never forget a moment of it. "You were called as a witness at the trial, weren't you?"

    He nodded: "That's right, but it was dark, Emily. I can't be certain there was no one on the sidewalk or in one of the yards that I simply didn't see. I was too fired up at you and Megan for hitting my mailbox and then driving away so recklessly."

    Emily managed a shaky smile. "I understand. I don't know if I ever told you, but I'm sorry we hit your mailbox." It was the only time she and her friends had ever gotten caught, and getting away had been instinct.

    He patted Emily on the shoulder. "It was no big deal, Emily. I really just wanted to make sure you girls got home okay considering the way Megan was driving." His brow furrowed. "Are you thinking that Clint Austin had an accomplice that night?"

    She should have anticipated that his curiosity would be roused by her question. "No. I... I just wondered." He was looking at her the way her parents did... entering one of those zones that spoke of sympathy or concern. She couldn't go there. She had to get out of here before the questions and advice started to flow. "I really have to go."

    "You know," the principal said, his expression turning somber to match his tone, "I've wondered many times if I'd stopped at your house first instead of following Megan down the block I might have been able to help... Calling the police after I heard the screams just wasn't enough." He shook his head and heaved a heart-heavy sigh. "How could anyone possibly have imagined what that boy was doing that night?" The big man shuddered visibly.

    Emily wasn't sure how she resisted the impulse to run away from the moment or how she managed to reach for his hand and shake it, but somehow she did. "You couldn't have known." She cleared her throat and gestured to the plaque. "Thank you for sharing this with me."

    "It was really good to see you, Emily. You'll have to be sure and attend the reunion this fall," he implored, his dark eyes suspiciously bright. "Ten years is a major milestone."

    Ten years... a milestone all right. Just not the one he thought. He said something else, she was pretty sure she called an answer over her shoulder, but she couldn't be certain and she definitely couldn't look back.

    Don't run. Walk. One foot in front of the other. She cleared the main entrance... had to grab on to the railing as she descended the steps and fought back the smothering panic.

    "Emily!"

    Her hand on the car door, she almost got in without acknowledging the person who'd called out to her. She recognized the voice... didn't want to do this.

    "I thought that was you." The voice was closer now, practically right next to her.

    She couldn't pretend not to hear.

    Emily forced her lips back into a smile and turned to greet the woman who had been her coach. "Ms. Mallory, how are you?"

    Justine Mallory rolled her eyes as she propped against Emily's car, delaying her escape. "Please, you're not a student anymore; call me Justine."

    "Justine," Emily amended, keeping her lips bent in what had to be a sorry excuse for a smile.

    Pay attention . Compliment her . Ten years and she was still as stunning, if not more so, as she had been when Emily was in high school. Blonde hair, deep blue eyes. Makeup always perfect. Long, toned legs leading up to a body to die for. Justine had to be on top of forty and still she looked amazing. The tan, the shorts, the Pine Bluff High T-shirt, all of it made her look like one of the students rather than a tenured teacher of