Almost Dead (Lizzy Gardner #5)(30)

He used his napkin to wipe perspiration from his brow.

He looked flushed. Thank God.

“Are you all right?”

“Just a little dizzy. I must have eaten too quickly. And sitting here with you . . . I don’t think you understand how much I appreciate you inviting me inside and then feeding me. I’m overwhelmed by your generosity.”

She stood. “Why don’t we have a seat in the living room where you’ll be more comfortable?”

“I should probably go.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Not before you have a seat in the living room and tell me what you came here to say. It’s important that I hear it.”

He made it to the other room without trouble, but then all but toppled into a seat on one end of the couch. His body sank into the cushions. He wasn’t going to last five minutes. If she couldn’t lead him into the car, maybe she could at least find a way to get him closer to the garage.

“I’ve got an idea,” she said cheerfully. She held out her hand. “Give me the keys to your car.”

“Why?”

“I’m going to pull your car into the garage, and then I’m going to drive you home. You don’t look well.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

He could hardly move. She just hoped she hadn’t put too many pills in his rice. He couldn’t die yet. She had bigger plans for him, and they had a lot to talk about. She reached into his jacket pocket, retrieved his keys, and held them up for him to see. “I insist.”





CHAPTER 21

For over ten years now, Lizzy had been volunteering her time teaching defense strategies to young girls and boys. High schools in Placer and Sacramento Counties were accommodating, opening up their gyms and cafeterias after school for a few hours a month. No charge.

Tommy had been a regular volunteer for the last couple of years. He was fantastic with the kids—super energetic, with an infectious passion for self-defense. They loved him. He’d turned twenty-five last week. He owned his own karate school, which is where he could be found most days. No matter how busy Tommy got, he always took the time to help Lizzy out. As far as Lizzy was concerned, he was one of the good guys.

A good guy with tough romantic instincts, though. Tommy had a thing for Hayley. Everyone knew that. The part that surprised Lizzy, though, was that he hadn’t given up yet. Hayley wasn’t an easy person to gauge, or get along with, for that matter. It was true that since Brian Rosie’s death, Hayley seemed different. She was still far from chatty, but not as silent as she used to be. Still, if you looked close enough, it was easy to see that a subtle darkness continued to simmer and brew just beneath the surface.

Today’s class had been held at Crestmont High, not far from her office on J Street. Lizzy had been holding self-defense classes at this particular school for years, so she knew most of the regulars. Her class size had grown from an average of seven kids to double that in the past few years. Some of the kids invited her to birthday parties and other family events.

It was almost five. Time to lock up. She was surprised to see Tommy still there, talking to a group of girls in the far corner of the room. He’d recently opened a second karate school and therefore he usually hurried to his car the moment class ended.

But not tonight.

One of the girls was crying. Something was wrong.

Lizzy joined their small circle, made eye contact with Tommy, and lifted a questioning brow.

“It’s Shelby,” he said as he stepped out of the group and pulled Lizzy with him. “She’s missing.”

“Since when?”

“According to her friends, Shelby was at school yesterday and everything seemed fine. Apparently Shelby tutors math and so when she didn’t come straight home from school, her mom figured she’d be home later. By dinnertime, her parents knew something was wrong. That’s really all I know. One of the girls over there said that all of Shelby’s friends were being questioned by authorities at school today. Rumor has it that they found her car on the side of the highway.”

“OK, thanks, Tommy.”

“Are you all right?”

“I don’t know,” Lizzy said. Her ears were buzzing. This couldn’t be happening. “I just can’t imagine Shelby putting herself in a situation where this could happen. She’s been coming to my classes for years. She’s smart, tough, and she’s a fighter.”

Tommy started to pull Lizzy into his arms, then backed off when she stiffened. “I’m sorry. You looked like you could use . . .” He trailed off.

Lizzy shook her head. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I didn’t mean to get all weird on you.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I get it. You’ve been put through the wringer. No need to explain. You need time.” He waved a hand through the air. “Look around. You’re a decent person doing a decent thing by helping these kids. They look up to you. Hayley and Kitally do, too. So do I.”

“Thanks. I’m going to go talk to some of the girls, see what I can do to help. See you next week?”

“I’ll be here.”

After Tommy walked off, Lizzy talked to the remaining girls. They were all just as baffled as Lizzy. Shelby had just turned seventeen. She was a junior and had been dating the same boy for three years. A nice boy, they all said. Lizzy had met him a couple of times when he picked Shelby up from class.