Since She Went Away(47)

She also considered calling. But she knew he wouldn’t answer. And if he did answer, she also knew what he’d say.

Don’t worry. I’ve got this.

She stared at her phone, scrolling through her contacts. Detective Poole’s name popped up. But then what? Bother a detective in the middle of two major crimes because her teenage son ran off?

She owed her mom a call, so she dialed. Her mom sounded distracted when she answered, and Jenna asked if it was a bad time.

“I’m playing cards,” her mother said.

“Okay. We can talk another time.”

“Honey? I don’t want you to think I don’t support you. I know you’re having a difficult time.”

“I know you know that.”

“It’s just that when you’re on TV cursing, and then everyone compares you to Celia and how she conducted herself, well, it doesn’t always look right.”

“I get it, Mom. Celia’s the pretty, polished one.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“She’s the one lucky enough to disappear before she cursed on TV.”

“Honey, that’s rude.”

So Jenna hung up.

She made one more call, to Stanley’s, to order a pizza. She felt hungry, and when Jared came back, even if he was angry with her, he’d be hungry as well. After ordering, Jenna admitted to herself she kind of liked the passion Jared displayed. It was young love, first love, but he cared enough about this girl to run after her, to do whatever he could to ensure her safety. She sometimes thought the passing years robbed everyone of the ability to make glorious, spectacular fools of themselves.

Just then the landline rang, making Jenna jump. Was it her mom again? The woman never apologized, so it couldn’t be that.

When she answered she heard the comforting voice of Detective Poole on the other end, asking Jenna how she was doing. For an agonizing moment, Jenna worried that Detective Poole was calling with bad news about Jared. He’d gotten in trouble or gone too far in his quest for finding Tabitha, but the thought left her mind just as quickly as it entered. Who on earth could get in trouble that quickly? And it wouldn’t be like Jared.

“I’m okay. Is something wrong?”

“It might be,” Naomi said. “I just got off the phone with Reena Huffman. Not an assistant, not a flunky. But the lady herself. She almost never does that.”

“What did she want?”

“I think you need to prepare,” Naomi said. “She’s going to talk about you a little more on tonight’s show.”

“Because I cursed?”

“Not that. Although she may throw that in for good measure. No, she’s learned about Celia’s affairs.”

“Who told her?” Jenna asked.

“Do you think Reena reveals her sources to me?” Naomi asked. “I have to ask you this, Jenna—”

“No, I didn’t tell Reena. Why would I want my friend’s name dragged through the mud by that awful witch?”

“I had to ask.”

“I didn’t, Naomi.”

“Reena hasn’t called you?”

“No.” Jenna checked the clock. Fifteen minutes to showtime. “What does this mean for her case? Does it really affect anything? It’s not relevant, is it?”

“When you don’t know anything, everything is relevant.”

“Naomi, do you ever do welfare checks on people? Kids especially?”

“Do you know someone who might be in danger?”

Jenna offered a quick rundown of what she knew about Tabitha, but as she related the facts she realized they still didn’t amount to much. A kid who kind of looked familiar and had a strict father. Good luck with that.

“And you don’t even know where this girl lives?” Naomi asked.

“No, I don’t. Jared does.”

Naomi sounded tired. “I suggest you monitor the situation. If something drastic happens, you can give us a call. For now . . .”

“I hear you. Thanks.”

“I guess we’ll all see what Reena has in store for us tonight.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE


Five minutes after she had hung up with Naomi, the phone rang again. As soon as Jenna answered, she heard the husky, overly dramatic voice of Reena Huffman on the other end. Even in a phone conversation off the air, the woman sounded as if she were pontificating and performing for a crowd.

“Jenna, how are you?” Her voice dripped with false concern, so much so that Jenna wondered if syrup was going to come oozing out of the receiver. “I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately. With everything going on this week, I can tell it’s getting to you.”

Jenna gritted her teeth. She held back so she didn’t give Reena any other ammunition to use against her. “Did you want to ask me something, Reena?”

“I just did. I asked you how you were doing. You know, when Becky sent me that footage from the other day, I nearly fell out of my chair. I thought to myself that can’t be the sweet, friendly girl we’ve been getting to know so well ever since this tragedy happened. That’s why I thought the strain was getting to you.”

“I’m fine, Reena. Actually my son will be home soon, and I have to feed him—”