Free At Risk by Judith E. French Page A

tragic.”
    “The cousin’s applied for custody. Been married five years, no kids of their own. She drives a school bus. Her husband works for the City of Dover.”
    “It’s good there are relatives willing to take the child.”
    “Better than going into a foster home or being adopted out. The state’s supposed to weed out the crazies, but they’re no better at that than keeping drunks off the road,” Michael said. “Lots of kids are worse off in state care than they were to begin with.”
    Liz nodded. Michael had told her that he’d spent most of his childhood in foster homes. He’d never elaborated, but she had gotten the impression that his memories were unhappy ones.
    “You heard about Boyd’s truck?”
    “Yes.” She didn’t tell him that she’d seen the rescue squad pulling the vehicle out of the Murderkill River. If she did that, she’d have to tell Michael whom she’d been with, and she knew he wouldn’t approve.
    “No body yet, but if it washed out into the bay, they may never find it. Lot of water out there.”
    “You think Wayne murdered Tracy and then committed suicide?”
    “Maybe. Or maybe he’s on the run and wants police to think he drowned.” He glanced around to see that no one was close enough to hear. “A warrant’s been issued for his arrest. Forensics is still examining the oyster knife for fingerprints.”
    He took hold of her hand and squeezed it. “I’m making crab cakes for supper if you’d like to stop by about six. I caught a few decent-sized jimmies at the end of my dock.”
    “I may take you up on that. Can I bring dessert?”
    “As long as it’s ice cream. Any Cookies and Cream in your freezer?”
    “No, but I’ll stop and pick some up on the way home. Are you coming outside for—”
    He shook his head. “I want to stop by the school and run through the tapes of the security videos again. I know that they weren’t working in your wing, but we have tape of the main entrance. The police couldn’t find anything unusual, but I’ll feel better if I check myself.” He smiled at her. “Besides, graveyards aren’t the best surface for these treads.” He indicated the wheels on his chair.
    “I’d be glad to push,” she offered.
    “No, thanks. Six o’clock. With ice cream.”
    For a fraction of a second, she thought she saw pain in his eyes, but then his tough-guy mask slipped into place. She’d insulted his pride by offering to help with his chair, and she was sorry. “Six,” she agreed as she bent to hug him. “Love you, Michael.”
    His eyes twinkled. “Love you, Elizabeth.”
    Jack was waiting just outside. He took a puff on a cigarette and dropped it to the ground. After stamping on the half-smoked butt, he picked it up and shoved it in his pants pocket.
    “I thought you’d given that up,” she said.
    “Me too.” He fell into step beside her. “You didn’t call me yesterday.”
    “I know.”
    “I offered to call you, but you didn’t want that.”
    “No.” She avoided his gaze.
    “Was I that much of a disappointment?”
    “You know better than that.”
    “They’re having a spread at the fire hall for Tracy’s friends and family,” Jack said. “Mom will kill me if I don’t show my face. Would you like to come with—”
    She shook her head. “No, thanks. I’ll just go home after this is over at the cemetery.”
    “Lots of funeral ham and potato salad.”
    “Tempting, but no thanks.”
    “Can I come by later?”
    “Not tonight. I have plans with a friend. Call me in a day or two.” What had happened between them was too new. It had been good, better than good, the best sex she’d ever had. She needed time to decide whether she wanted it to happen again, and if he came to the house, she knew they’d end up in bed. Jack was as complicated as he’d ever been—and she was still putty in his hands.
    “You know where to find me, Lizzy.”
    She could tell he was hurt by the look in his eyes. “Jack—”
    “Later.”
    He