Almost Dead (Lizzy Gardner #5)(47)

“I haven’t been sleeping, of course,” Denise went on, ignoring her husband and speaking directly to Lizzy. “Last night it hit me. But even before that, I think I knew something was off with my daughter, but I wasn’t able to put my finger on exactly what it was until last night. I think Shelby knew she was being watched.”

Mr. Geitner frowned. “Watched by who? She would have told us if she was worried about a stalker.”

“I don’t think she knew for sure,” Denise said, her voice growing stronger. “I think her reactions were instinctive.”

“How long did you notice this behavior?” Lizzy asked.

“A few days at least. A week at the most.”

Mr. Geitner grew red in the face. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“Bill, I’m saying it now. What do you want from me? None of this came together for me until just last night. Why don’t you stop harassing me and go out there and find your daughter?”

“I’ve been out on the streets, going door to door every day and night. I’m doing everything I can. What have you been doing? You didn’t even want to talk to Lizzy.”

“Please,” Lizzy said, not wanting to get in the middle of their argument, but feeling as if she had no choice. “These are stressful times. Your lives have been turned upside down. Don’t let this come between you. You have other children who need you. The two of you need to stick together . . . for everyone involved.”

“Lizzy is right,” Bill said.

For the first time since she’d walked into the house, Denise looked into Lizzy’s eyes. “Find her. And hurry.”





CHAPTER 32

It was hard to believe it was already February. The sun was out, and the warmth felt good against her back as Jenny walked across the parking lot toward her car. The average temperature for the month of February was usually between 57 and 62 degrees. Today the temperature had to be somewhere in the seventies. Sweat trickled down her spine.

“Jenny! Hold up!”

She turned around, surprised to see Dwayne Roth running her way. Had he seen her take the vials out of the lab? No, that couldn’t be. She’d made certain nobody was around, even took the extra precaution of getting to work early, when the building was practically deserted. Maybe someone else within the company was onto her and he wanted to warn her.

“Man, oh, man,” he said when he caught up to her, bending over to catch his breath. “I’ve been trying to talk to you for days now. You left early yesterday—”

“I came in early, that’s why.”

“Oh, no,” he said, putting his hands up as if in self-defense. “I’m not accusing you of cheating on your hours. I would never do that. I am doing a good job of making a fool out of myself, though, aren’t I?”

She didn’t know what to say to that, so she simply stood there, waiting to see what it was exactly that he wanted.

“Let me start over.” He stood tall, straightened his tie, fixed his hair—making a big show of setting the moment, but for what?

Dwayne was an odd duck, in a good way, if that was possible. He was one of the few men who bothered dressing up for work.

“I was hoping you would go to a movie with me.”

The anxiety that had been building since first seeing him sprint toward her disappeared completely. “That’s what this is all about? You’re asking me on a date?”

“Yes.”

She looked at him again, this time taking note of his pale skin and curly, almost wiry, brown hair. He was much taller than Brandon had been. She had to tilt her head and crook her neck in order to look into his eyes. He was cute in somewhat the same way the singer Josh Groban was. Not that Dwayne was that good-looking, but he was definitely attractive in his own quirky way.

Jenny had never been asked on a date before.

The only reason she’d ended up with Brandon was because she’d met him on the plane during a long delay when all the passengers were stuck in their seats and had nowhere else to go. He had been so charming, and she’d been absolutely gobsmacked that a ridiculously handsome man such as Brandon was paying her any attention at all, which is why she’d said yes when he’d asked if he could stay at her place during his two-day layover. During the night, he’d crawled into bed with her and that was that. He was the first man to make love to her without using force. The feelings she’d felt for Brandon had been instantaneous. He’d wanted her and he’d told her she was beautiful.

And you believed the idiot. A complete stranger. Don’t forget that. You can’t afford to make friends right now. Not when you’re so close to finishing what you’ve started.

“I’m sorry,” Dwayne said, mistaking her hesitation as disinterest. “I know this might seem sudden, but it’s not. I noticed you months ago when you first came to work for Ecco. It just took me this long because, well, look at me.”

She did look at him—again—but this time she let her gaze drift a little south and then north.

“I’m not exactly God’s gift to women.”

He’s a twit. Dwayne Roth wants what every other man wants—to get inside your pants. Turn around, get in your car, and drive away.

“I guess you did kind of catch me off guard,” she told him.