Free Pursued by Patricia H. Rushford Page A

Of course, it could have been B.J.
    Mr. Beaumont must have been thinking the same thing because the moment Jennie’s mind formed the name, he yelled, “Where’s B.J.?”
    â€œI’m right here,” she said, pushing off from the wall.
    Jennie wondered how long she’d been there. And more importantly, how long had she been home?
    â€œDo you know anything about this?” The harsh tone of his voice made the question sound like an accusation.
    For an instant, Jennie thought she’d recognized a glint of hurt in B.J.’s eyes, but when she looked again, she saw nothing but hate.
    When B.J. didn’t answer, Mr. Beaumont clenched his fist and asked again. “Well, do you?”
    â€œI don’t know why you even bothered to ask. You already think I did it.” She turned and walked to the door, then spun around and glared at her father. “If you’re so sure it was me, why don’t you have me arrested.” B.J. disappeared down the hall, but her words hung on the now-stale air. A door slammed and the windows rattled.
    For a moment Jennie thought Mr. Beaumont would explode, then suddenly, like an actor changing scenes, he cleared his throat and began giving orders. Mrs. Beaumont was to take Allison to the “master suite” to rest. He sent Rocky downstairs to his office where they would “discuss the matter” after he’d talked to B.J.
    Turning to Jennie, Lisa, and Paige, Mr. Beaumont ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry you girls had to see this. You’re welcome to stay, of course…”
    â€œI-I think I’d like to go home.” Paige shifted from one foot to the other. Her tiny features were drawn and pale, reminding Jennie of a frightened bird. “Tell Allie I’ll be back in the morning,” she said as she backed out of the room.
    Mr. Beaumont nodded and lifted his gaze to Jennie and Lisa. “We’ll stay,” Jennie said. “Allison might need us later.” Nothing short of dynamite could dislodge Jennie now. This was getting much too interesting, and she had too many unanswered questions.
    Jennie couldn’t tell how Mr. Beaumont felt about their staying. He silently ushered them out of Allison’s room to a large guest room across the hall. “It would be best if everyone stays out of here for now,” he said, closing Allison’s door.
    â€œMaybe we should go too,” Lisa said as she paced across the guest room’s plush white carpet. “This is all too weird. I’m sorry I got you into this.”
    â€œDon’t be. I’m not giving up until I find out what’s going on around here.” Jennie rummaged through her overnight bag.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Lisa asked as she came up behind Jennie.
    â€œLooking for something to make some notes on.” Jennie fished around and finally came up with a small spiral note pad. “Okay.” Jennie settled on the bed. Excitement coursed through her. “Let’s see what we’ve got so far.”
    Lisa dropped onto a chair and recounted some of the details of the case. Within a few minutes Jennie had listed the various floral deliveries and threatening phone calls she and Lisa knew about. Then she entered the information she had about the man with a gun from the night before and the call to Jennie’s house. At the bottom she wrote, “message on mirror—red lipstick.” Jennie scooted off the bed. “C’mon.”
    â€œWhere to?”
    â€œAllison’s bathroom. I want to have another look. Maybe we can find some clues.”
    â€œNo!” Lisa spread herself across the door, blocking Jennie’s way. “We can’t. It’s too awful. Jennie, I can’t go back in there.”
    Jennie nodded in understanding. “Okay. Wait here for me.”
    Lisa started to object, then, as if reading the determination in her cousin’s eyes,