Free California Demon by Julie Kenner Page A

said. “Stuart and I were perfectly clear about that.”
    She blinked at me, her expression befuddled. “Well, yeah, but you’re here.”
    “Right. But Stuart’s not. So when he sees that you’re calling, he’s going to think it’s an emergency and worry.” I put my hand on my hip for effect. “I know I did when you called earlier.”
    She actually looked contrite. “Right. So, um, I guess I won’t call Stuart.”
    I nodded, hoping I didn’t look too relieved. Then I slipped her phone into my purse. Just to be safe.
    “ You call him.”
    I blinked. “What?”
    “Come on, Mom! It’s not like he’ll worry when he sees your caller ID, right? And I really want to tell him about the check. And you know Stuart. He’s never going to call us and admit he’s lost.”
    I frowned. The trouble was, I did know Stuart. And I knew the odds were good he was nowhere near this building.
    But since I couldn’t think of a graceful way to refuse to call my husband, I reached into my purse. I made sure to keep the book hidden, all the while praying that Stuart would draw on his fast-developing political skills to ensure Allie’s feelings didn’t get hurt.
    It wasn’t until I’d pawed through all the detritus in my bag, though, that I remembered. “I can’t call Stuart,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as gleeful as I felt. “I dropped the phone, remember?”
    “Oh.” She made a face. “Right.” I could practically see the wheels turning in her head. “He might be trying to phone you. I should probably call and let him know you’re okay.”
    I wanted to argue, but what would I say? We’d reached the point where it would be ridiculous for me to protest anymore. And, frankly, I was so irritated with Stuart for not having shown up, that I figured it was only fair that he get put on the spot. Passive-aggressive? Perhaps. Or maybe I was just tired.
    At any rate, it didn’t matter. Because just as I was about to hand Allie her phone, Mindy raced over.
    “Did you hear! Did you hear! They found a dead guy in the basement. Isn’t that just the grossest thing ever?”
    “No shit?” That from Allie, who immediately shot me a mortified look. “Sorry. I mean, no kidding?”
    “Honest! Mom and I were talking with Principal George when the EMS guy came in and pulled her away. I heard everything.” She leaned in closer and added, conspiratorially, “They said his face was bashed in.”
    “Ew!” Allie squealed, as I tried to look both disgusted and concerned.
    Laura, who’d been following Mindy at something less than a sprint, sidled up beside me. “A little drama in these hallowed halls,” she said. “You’ve heard?”
    There wasn’t anything unusual about her tone or her words. Even so, I knew what she was asking: Was this your handiwork?
    “Yeah,” I said. “I’ve heard.” And I really needed to know what was going on in that hallway. Did they believe it was an accident, or were they going to be looking for me?
    “Come on,” Mindy said, gesturing for Allie to follow.
    “Hold on a second, girls,” I said. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
    “No way, Mrs. Connor! This is a totally good idea. I’m on the newspaper staff, remember? And they never give the freshmen anything to write except profiles of the teachers. This is like a total break for me.”
    “Forget it, Woodward,” Laura said.
    Mindy blinked. “Woodward?”
    Laura just shook her head. “You’re not prowling the halls to go see a dead body.”
    “But, Mom!”
    “No,” Laura said. “Now go. Shoo. Both of you.” She pointed to the far side of the gym. Our girls hesitated, then shared one of those looks that all mothers of teenage girls are familiar with. The one that says, My mom is a freak.
    “Whatever,” my daughter said. Then off they went, their heads bent close as they ran down a list of their mothers’ imperfections.
    I turned to Laura, unable to stop my grin.
    “What?”
    “If I tell you I’m going, are you