Free Georgie Be Good by Marg McAlister

always together, because Grace liked hip hop and tap, while Izzie was gifted at ballet and contemporary. 
    “Then,” Grace finished despondently, “Something happened, and Izzie stopped talking to me, and Dad got suspended from work, and everything’s horrible now.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she looked away, dragging a tissue out of her sleeve. 
    Georgie’s heart felt heavy. This little girl had shed a lot of tears recently. 
    In the midst of it all, a face formed in the mist. Georgie held her breath, and then as she recognized it, she didn’t know whether to laugh or feel let down. 
    Rosa, her great-grandmother. Well, if nothing else, that told her that Grace’s visit was significant. 
    The face became very clear, and Rosa looked directly into her eyes. Then, with a blink, she was gone. 
    Nothing but mist again. 
    Well, thanks Rosa, thought Georgie, somewhat annoyed. I’ll figure it out for myself. 
    Rosa’s appearance appeared to be nothing more than a mentor giving her a thumbs-up for being on the right track. 
    “I don’t know what else to tell you,” Grace said, her voice muffled as she dabbed at her eyes. 
    Then, as clearly as though someone had projected it on to a wall, a picture of a black silhouette formed in Georgie’s mind. A man. No features, just an outline. Impressions surged into her mind. 
    Evil...something to do with…girls. Lots of girls. Dancing…auditions?  
    Izzie and an audition?
    Her mind whirling, Georgie felt the pieces of the puzzle come together. She would be willing to bet that Izzie had fallen into the clutches of one of the many predators waiting in the wings for girls that had dreams of stardom. But what had happened? 
    Usually, the perpetrators were men posing as legitimate photographers for hopeful girls needing a model portfolio. At best, the girls escaped unscathed but fleeced of several hundred dollars. At worst, they were drawn into the porn industry. Please , she thought, don’t let it be that bad.
    She sat there, indecisive. How much should she tell the girl sitting opposite her what she had sensed? Should she contact Rachel, Izzie’s mother? 
    Georgie thought of the day she’d gone to the Wests’ home and met Rachel, when she had been sure that the problems at work were not the only reason for the pain she felt radiating from the other woman. Even then she had made wondered about Izzie. 
    You should trust yourself more, Georgie Goode, she told herself. 
    Did Izzie’s mother know something? Was she protecting a traumatized child, keeping her secrets? 
    She looked up to find Grace watching her keenly. 
    “What? There’s something,” the girl said. 
    Georgie nodded. “Yes, I think there is. The thing is, Grace, it’s not my secret to tell.” She made a decision. “I’ll have to see Izzie’s mother.” 
    “Will it help?” 
    “I don’t know. Sometimes people want help, sometimes they don’t. But it was a good thing you did for your friend, coming here today.” Georgie smiled at her. “The two of you will be close friends again. I promise you.” 
    “You know that? Really?” Grace’s face lightened a little. 
    “Yes.” Georgie had no hesitation in confirming it. “I know it. Absolutely.” 
    She waved the girl off, and beckoned to Scott, waiting patiently in the wings. 
    Time for the CBI team to get to work.

12
    G eorgie was able to catch Tammy’s eye and beckoned, and then went to rescue Layla from the same couple that had been tire-kicking for the past three days, getting lots of information and encouragement without committing to a thing. 
    This time they all crowded into Georgie’s trailer; Scott and Georgie at the table and Layla and Tammy perched on the bed. 
    “Developments?” Tammy sat forward eagerly, smoothing her cherry-sprigged white dress over her knees. 
    “Developments.” Georgie filled them in quickly, and sat back. “Despite Rachel’s attitude last time we met, I have to go and see her. I’m