Free In the Shadows (The Outsiders Book 1) by Susan Finlay Page B

him a sly grin. “Aha. I guess that means you won’t mind introducing her to me.”
    “Yeah, right. Lillian would skin you alive if you brought her home.”
    “So it’s true she’s staying at Fabienne’s house?”
    Dave nodded.
    “I’ll tell you what. She can stay there, and I’ll help her out with whatever she needs. How’s that?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    Jonas laughed, then patted Dave on the shoulder. “That’s what I thought. The French blood courses through your veins after all.”
    “ It really isn’t like that. I’m not in a ‘relationship’ with anyone—not with Simone or Maurelle, okay?”
    Jonas smiled. “Okay, okay. I won’t mention it again. Let’s get together for beers when I return from Paris.”
    “Sure. Call me when you get back.”
    As Dave entered Fabienne’s house five minutes later, he was surprised by the silence that was pierced only by the ticking of the grandfather clock. He walked into the kitchen and then back into the living room. He took the stairs two at a time and knocked softly on Maurelle’s door. When she didn’t respond, he opened it and peered around the corner. The room looked as if she’d never been there. He checked the wardrobe, hoping she might have unpacked her bag, but felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. The wardrobe was empty. He rushed downstairs and this time noticed his grandmother asleep on the sofa—she had been hidden by the high back.
    He rubbed his face with his hands, then began pacing as he considered what to do.
    “Oh, you’re home,” Fabienne said, sitting up and looking at him bleary-eyed.
    “What happened?” Dave asked, running his hand through his hair. “What did you do? Where is she?”
    Fabienne’s eyes widened and she gulped sleepily. “Upstairs resting.”
    “No, she’s not there. And neither are her bags.” 
    Fabienne shrugged, and lifted her arms, turning her hands palm upward.
    “I know you didn’t want her here. Did you do something to chase her away? At least be honest with me about this.”
    “I really don’t know anything. She must have slipped out after I fell asleep.” 
    “You had no idea she’d left?”
    “Of course not. Why would she leave?” She looked up at him, batting her eyes innocently. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen that look.
    Shaking his head, Dave turned away and walked toward the front door. She’d let him down again —and so had Maurelle, for that matter. He reached for the door handle and then hesitated as another thought came to him: Unless there was a good reason for her running away again. He looked back and asked, “When did she go upstairs?”
    Fabienne shrugged. “During lunch. She got up from the table and said she was going upstairs to rest. Such ill manners, especially for a guest.”
    “How long ago was that?”
    She glanced at the clock. “I suppose it would have been an hour , maybe a bit longer.”
    “What did you do? Did you say something to upset her?”
    She jutted her chin outward in her defiant way. Dave was losing his patience. “Tell me what happened, Grand-mère.”
    “I really didn’t say anything. We were having a pleasant luncheon and then she got up and said she was tired. Jeannette and I really had no idea why.”
    “Jeannette was here?”
    She looked away, then nodded her head.
    “I’m guessing that the two of you intimidated her.”
    “No, no,” Fabienne said, looking at him again. “We behaved perfectly.”
    “Right,” Dave said. She was trying to give him a wide-eyed-innocent look, but her eyes were blinking rapidly.
    “She doesn’t deserve your help. That girl is trouble. You mark my words. You’re better off not getting involved.”
    “But I am.” He walked out of the house, slamming the door behind him. His mind raced. Where might Maurelle have gone? Unlikely she’d go back to the cave or even stay in the area. Thinking about his drive back to Reynier from Vendome, he didn’t see a reason to search for