Silent Witness (3 page)

“You looking for the old lady who was with you at Dolphin Playland this afternoon?” Scott asked.

“She's not an old lady—she's my grandmother.”

Scott shrugged. “Same difference.”

“She was right behind me. At least I thought …”

“What are you getting so upset about? She looked like she could take care of herself.”

“She can … but … oh, never mind.” She thought about her emergency cell phone tucked away in the glove box in her car back home and sighed. Life would be so much easier if her mother had given her one to use all the time. Not that the phone would help now anyway. Gram had purposely left hers in her room. Where technology was concerned, her family lived in dark ages.

“Can't you just call her?” asked Scott.

Exasperated, Jennie ran a hand through her hair. “No. Neither of us has one right now.”

Scott nodded. “Okay, let's go back to where you last saw her.” Scott took hold of her shoulders. “And calm down. She's probably back on the wharf watching the sunset entertainment.”

Jennie drew in a deep breath. “You're right. I'm calm. I know she was with me when we left the restaurant. We were watching the last of the sunset. Do you remember seeing her when you got off the boat?”

Scott shook his head. “No, I didn't notice. But that's a good place to start. C'mon.” He took hold of her hand and pulled her forward. They wove their way through the crowd, and after what seemed an eternity, they reached the wharf where she'd last seen Gram.

“Where is she?” Panic streaked through her again.

Scott led her to a bench. “Let's just sit here and wait for her.”

“Are you crazy? I can't do that. Someone may have kidnapped her …”

“What?” Scott shook his head. “I must be missing something here. Why in the world would anyone want to kidnap your grandmother?”

“Because she's a …”
Nice going, McGrady. Why not announce it to the entire world while you're at it? Hey everyone … my grandmother is a secret agent. Works for the FBI in her spare
time.

“Let me guess,” Scott leaned forward and placed an elbow on his knee. “She's filthy rich, and you're afraid someone has kidnapped her so they can collect a ransom.”

“No.”
Better make this good, McGrady.
“She's a writer. And she used to be a police officer.”

“Oh, I get it.” Scott slipped into a Sly Stallone accent—almost looked the part with his cut and bruised face. “She's made some enemies … she's testified against a mafia don, and now the mob's gonna fit her with a pair of cement boots.”

“Close. Our flight out of Portland was canceled because of a bomb threat. Gram didn't think it had anything to do with her, but …”

Scott jumped to his feet. “Oh, man, I gotta get out of here.”

Jennie glanced in the direction of the wharf. The man who'd fired Scott was stepping off his boat. “Scott, wait. He's not going to hurt you. Not with all these people around.”

“Yeah, you're probably right. But that guy's a mean dude, and I'd just as soon not have my face messed up any more than it already is.”

“Wow! Look.” Jennie stared in disbelief as two uniformed policemen escorted the man into a nearby squad car. “You really don't have to worry about him. I wonder what happened.”

Scott shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe you could ask your grandmother.”

Helen McGrady emerged from the boat, talking animatedly to another officer. “I sure appreciate the call Mrs. McGrady. We've been trying to nail this guy here for a long time. Only next time, how about giving us a call first?”

As they approached, Gram smiled. “Oh, Officer, here's the young man I was telling you about.”

Scott stiffened. “What's this all about?”

“I was hoping you could tell me.” The officer pulled a note pad from his back pocket.

“Hey, look, I didn't do anything.” Scott lifted his hands and stepped back.

“Maybe I should explain.” Gram adjusted her shoulder bag. “You see, Jennie and I overheard your boss threaten you, and then when you came off that boat looking as you did … well, I decided then and there to have a word with him. I thought perhaps I could persuade him to at least pay you your wages. While you and Jennie were talking, I went aboard. I was just about to go down the stairs into the cabin when I heard voices. It didn't take long to figure out what was going on. It seems your boss had a sideline.”

“Right,” the officer added. “Drug smuggling. Cocaine. A sweet setup. He takes tourists out for diving, dinner, and dancing, and when he arrives at the reef, sends a diver out to pick up the drop. We figure he either used someone posing as a tourist or his crew …”

Scott took a step back and collided with the bench. “I … I didn't know. Honest.” He looked at Jennie then Gram. “I had nothing to do with it.”

“Then you won't mind coming down to the station to answer a few questions.”

When Jennie saw the look of fear in his eyes, she knew what he was thinking.
Don't run, Scott, please don't run.

Gram must have sensed the same thing. “Why don't we all go together? I need to give my statement as well, and when we're finished there, we can have a doctor take a look at your eye.”

An hour and a half later the police dropped Jennie, Gram, and Scott at the house. The three of them quickly piled into the car and headed for the hospital. Jennie stole glances at Scott through the rearview mirror. It made her nervous having him there, especially now that she knew he was a juvenile offender. He'd been arrested four times in the last year and a half. She felt certain Scott hadn't known about his boss's drug-smuggling operation, but it bothered her that Gram had been so trusting. She glanced back at him again. He met her gaze and gave her a sheepish grin before shifting his attention to Gram.

“Thanks again, Mrs. McGrady. If it hadn't been for you, I'd probably be in jail right now.”

Gram turned sideways in her seat. “Yes, you would. I hope that in the future, when you're questioned by police, you'll refrain from calling them pigs and telling them where to go.”

“Yeah, well, maybe they could quit harassing me. It seems like they're always trying to pin something on me. Even the dolphin killing. Just because I was working at Dolphin Playland when it happened …”

“You were working there?”

“For about two months last summer. They canned me after the dolphin died. They found out I was a volunteer with the DPA and accused me of killing their dolphin to make them look bad.”

Jennie and Gram exchanged glances. “Hey, I didn't do it.”

“I'm sure you didn't,” Gram offered. Jennie said nothing, concentrating instead on finding a parking place near the emergency-room entrance to the hospital.

It was midnight before they got home, and Jennie was not happy. Since Scott had been living on one of his boss's boats, he no longer had a place to stay. Gram, of course, had insisted he stay with them. Jennie filled the teakettle with water, slammed the kettle on the stove, and flipped on the burner. She could hear Gram and Scott talking in the living room where they were making up the sofa bed for him.

Ease up, McGrady,
she told herself.
The guy's been through a lot. What did you want her to do, make him sleep on the street? Besides, you're the one who ran after him. Face it, McGrady. You're jealous because Gram is spending so much
time helping him.

“I am not jealous,” she muttered, yanking open the cupboards above the stove. “Gram,” she yelled. “Do you know where the tea is?”

“She's upstairs.” Scott appeared behind her.

Jennie gasped and whirled around. “Good grief. You scared me half to death. How long have you been there?”

“Long enough.” He leaned around her and lifted up a canister marked
TEA.
“You might look in here.”

Jennie yanked the canister out of his hand, and in the process dumped the entire contents on the floor. “Now look what you made me do.” Jennie dropped to the floor and started scooping the loose tea back into its container. She closed her eyes to hold back the threatening storm inside her.

Scott hunkered down beside her. “Do you want me to go?” When she didn't answer, he went on. “Hey, I can take a hint. I know you don't want me here. And if you really want me to leave, I will.”

Jennie sat back on her heels and threw her long braid back over her shoulder. “Your eyes are the same color as my cousin Lisa's. ‘Course she doesn't have a shiner.”

“What kind of an answer is that?”

Jennie sighed. “I could never say no to her either.”

Scott gave her a lopsided grin. “Does that mean what I think it does?”

“It means you can stay, but don't get any ideas.” Jennie straightened and headed for the pantry to get a broom and dustpan.

When she emerged, Scott was standing by the door and she nearly ran into him. “What kind of ideas?” he asked, his voice low and husky. He reached behind her and flattened his palm on the doorjamb. Jennie met his gaze and forgot to breathe. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
He is going to kiss me.

Not if she had anything to say about it. Jennie ducked under his arm and took a deep breath. “Those kind of ideas.”

He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “Just checking.”

“Here …” She handed him the broom. “Why don't you finish cleaning this up while I find Gram?” At his questioning look she added, “Don't worry. I'm just going to ask her if we have any more tea.”

After the others had gone to sleep, Jennie snuggled under her covers and, using the credit card Mom had given her, called home.

“Jennie, I'm so glad you called. I tried you several times tonight. I was getting worried.”

“We were out for a while.”

“Is everything all right? Your voice sounds odd.”

Jennie thought about saying,
No, Mom, everything is not fine. We met this juvenile delinquent named Scott. He's got these incredible green eyes and brown curly hair and has been arrested four times. Gram busted up his boss's drug­smuggling scam, so you don't have to worry about that. But she invited Scott to stay with us, and he tried to kiss me.
Jennie smiled, imagining what her mother's reaction would have been if she'd actually
said it. Mom would be on the next plane to Florida.

“Jennie,” Mom asked again, “are you okay?”

“I'm fine, Mom. Just a little tired. Traveling with Gram is a little like being caught up in a windstorm.”

“Well, you tell Gram to slow down and smell the roses. Oh, by the way, Ryan called.”

Jennie popped up, suddenly alert. “He did? When? Why didn't he call here; did you give him the phone number? Did he leave a number where I could call him?” Mom chuckled. “You don't like this guy or anything, do you?”

“Mom …”

“Okay, yes, he called—this afternoon. I gave him your number. He said he couldn't leave one because he was calling from a pay phone. He said he'd try to call you, but he only had a few minutes before the fishing boat left. He also said if he couldn't get you today, he'd try again in a few days.”

“But we won't be here in a few days.”

“Relax, honey, I gave him the number of the research center on Dolphin Island.”

“Okay, thanks.” Jennie tried to keep the disappointment she felt out of her voice. “So … how's the kid? Did he get Coco?”

“No … but don't worry, I told him not to expect it until tomorrow. He's fine. Michael's been a lifesaver.”

Jealousy nibbled at the edge of Jennie's thoughts, but she ignored it. “Have you heard from Lisa?”

“Oh, I'm glad you asked. She called today too. She asked me to have you call her the minute I heard from you.”

“Did she say why?” Jennie glanced at the clock. With the three-hour time difference it would be about ten there. Lisa would still be up.

“No, only that it was important.”

“Then, I guess I'd better hang up and call her. Give Nick a hug from me.”

“I will. I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom. Bye.” Jennie waited for the dial tone and called Lisa. She answered on the first ring.

“Wow,” Jennie said, “you must have been sitting on the phone.”

“I was. Listen, you're not going to believe this.”

“Let me guess. You and Brad are engaged.”

“Get serious. No, listen. You know those people we overheard at the airport?”

“You mean Maggie and Tim?” Jennie leaned forward. “Right. Well, I was looking for an article in the paper on the environment for Sociology, and there they were.”

“Who?”

“Sarah and Maggie and that blond guy … the people we saw at the airport.”

“You're kidding.”

“Get this. Sarah's last name is Stanford. She's fourteen, and hasn't been able to talk since her dad died two years ago. Maggie, her mom, said she was taking her to Florida for a special kind of therapy where they use dolphins.”

Excitement stirred in Jennie. “Did the paper say where they were going?”

Lisa giggled. “Just that the center is located near Fort Myers in a place called Dolphin Island.”

“I can't believe it,” Jennie squealed. “That's where we're going day after tomorrow.” It looked as though she'd get to talk with Sarah and Maggie after all. “So tell me what else you found out. You said she hasn't talked for two years?”

“Right. Her father was John Stanford, a psychiatrist who was murdered a couple of years ago. Sarah was there when it happened.”

“Wow. No wonder she looked scared.” Jennie remembered the haunted look she'd seen in Sarah's eyes.

“Anyway, maybe Dr. Stanford was the guy Tim was talking about at the airport. Remember?”

“Yeah,” Jennie tried to pull into focus the conversation she'd overheard. “Tim said something about Ramsey not killing John. Did the article say anything about that?”

“Just a minute … here's something. This is a quote from Dr. Layton. ‘While the murder of my good friend and partner, Dr. John Stanford, has been resolved, his daughter's silence remains a mystery. It is our hope that Dr. Cole and her team of trained bottle-nose dolphins will be able to restore Sarah to the brilliant and vibrant child she once was.'”

“Does it say anything else about the murder?”

“No. It's mostly about Dr. Layton and using dolphins in therapy.”

“He isn't Sarah's therapist, is he?” Jennie asked, remembering the way he'd kissed Maggie at the airport.

“He used to be until he and Maggie got married. Now he's her stepfather.”

“Hmmm. If the murder was resolved, I wonder why Tim would think the bomb threat was meant for Sarah.”

“I don't know, but I have the feeling you plan to find out.” Jennie thanked her cousin for the information, then after swearing her to secrecy, told her about Scott.

“Is he dangerous?” Lisa asked in a conspiratorial tone.

“I don't think so.” Jennie flipped over on her stomach and shifted the phone to her other ear. “Gram said it was mostly a matter of his being in the wrong places at the wrong times. Unfortunately, his temper doesn't help.”

“Well, be careful.” Jennie heard Uncle Kevin's voice in the background yelling at Lisa to hang up. “Gotta go. Dad's having a cow.”

Jennie turned out the light. Sleep eluded her as her mind kept dredging up pictures of Sarah. Those huge, dark, vacant eyes reminded Jennie of the starving children in Africa. She tried to imagine what it would have been like for Sarah to witness her father's murder. “Poor girl,” Jennie murmured. “It must have been terrible for you.”

Jennie's father hadn't been murdered, but she knew what it was like to lose a dad. Even though she'd never even met Sarah, Jennie felt connected with her. Despite the growing curiosity and excitement over seeing Sarah and Maggie again, jet lag and a full day's activity finally pushed Jennie over the brink of wakefulness into a deep sleep.

The next morning Jennie joined Gram on the patio for breakfast. After pouring herself a glass of orange juice, Jennie told Gram about the article Lisa had found. “This is so weird,” she said, scooping a piece of papaya out of its skin. “I mean … I don't even know Sarah and Maggie, but I can't stop thinking about them.”

“And now it looks as though we'll be staying at the same place.” Gram looked longingly at the plate of bacon and finally reached for a piece. “Perhaps you'll be able to help her in some tangible way after all, Jennie. We'll just have to wait and see what God brings about.” Gram studied her bacon before finally taking a bite. “I really shouldn't be eating this. The doctor said I should be watching my cholesterol.”

Jennie grinned. “You always say that and then you go right ahead and eat it.”

“I do, don't I? It's my weakness.”

Jennie helped herself to two pieces and handed the plate to Gram. “Want some more?”

“No, better save the rest for Scott. Which reminds me, have you seen him?”

Jennie frowned. “He's in the shower.”

“Good,” Gram said, “there's something I want to ask you about.”

“You're wondering what we can do to get rid of him?” Jennie asked hopefully. As soon as the words left her mouth she wished she could have taken them back.

“Jennie, I'm disappointed in your attitude. I thought you wanted to help him.”

“I'm sorry. I did want to help. I just …” Jennie glanced at her grandmother, then down at her half-eaten papaya. “I don't know. There's something about him that makes me uncomfortable. Anyway, what were you going to ask me?”

“I was going to ask what you thought of our inviting Scott to join us at Dolphin Island. I've already spoken to Kevin and Debbie Cole, the people who run the center, and they're willing to consider giving Scott a job.”

“If you've already arranged it, why bother to ask my opinion?” Fighting back waves of anger, she pushed away from the table. “Maybe you ought to just send me home and finish your trip with Scott.”

“I see.” Gram calmly placed her napkin on the table. Jennie swallowed hard.
Nice going, McGrady. Gram treats you like an adult and you act like a jealous three-year­old.
“I'm sorry,” Jennie apologized again. “It's just that this was supposed to be our time—a chance for us to be together.”

Gram surprised her by saying, “You're right. Here I invited you on this trip so we could spend some quality time together, and the first thing I do is to get involved in another cause. If you don't want him to come with us, that's fine.” Gram paused and took a sip of tea. “Still, I'd like to help him …” She brightened. “We could give him money—enough to tide him over until he can get a job, or to buy a bus ticket home.” She leaned toward Jennie. “What do you think?”

“Hey, guys … what's happening?” Scott approached the table, his hair still wet from his shower. He had on the same ragged cutoffs he'd worn during the protest the day before, only this morning he was wearing a T-shirt with a picture of a dolphin on the front and a caption that read Born to Be Free.

Scott sat down and helped himself to generous portions of scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. “This looks great. My mom used to fix breakfast like this before …” Scott's eyes dimmed then brightened again, “Hey, you know, Mrs. McGrady, I was just thinking, since I don't have a job anymore, maybe I could show you and Jennie around today. I could take you out to the reef to go snorkeling … ‘course you'd have to rent a boat …” He turned toward Jennie and shrugged. “Or, maybe you two would rather go alone.”

Jennie expected Gram to jump in and tell Scott that they'd be delighted to have him show them around. When she didn't, Jennie realized Gram was waiting for her response.
Here's your chance, McGrady
, she told herself.
Tell him thanks, but no thanks
.

“That's really nice of you, Scott,” she said. When she looked up and saw the lopsided grin on his face, the discomfort Jennie so often felt around him reappeared.
Face it, McGrady, the feelings you have for Scott have nothing to do with mistrust. You like the guy.
Jennie groaned. “I do not …” Then, realizing she'd said it out loud, added, “… think I can stand to go another minute without a shower.”

Jennie pushed her chair away from the table. “While I'm getting ready, why don't you and Gram decide what we're going to do? Just be sure to leave some time free for hanging out at the beach.”

All through the shower and during their sail out to the reef, Jennie thought about Scott. She had to admit that despite his faults, there was something appealing about him. He was definitely good-looking, and besides, who could resist those gorgeous green eyes? If Lisa were here she'd be standing next to him at the wheel, learning all about boats and diving. Lisa wouldn't think twice about flirting with him, even if she had another boyfriend. “Loosen up, Jennie,” she'd say. “It's not like I'm going to marry him.”

“You look deep in thought.” Gram joined her at the railing and leaned against it.

“I am.” Jennie turned around to face the wind and the water. “Have you ever liked two guys at the same time?”

Gram smiled. “You mean like Ryan and Scott?”

Jennie nodded. “It seems like I'm always getting on Lisa's case for being such a flirt. I really thought I loved Ryan, but we've only been apart for a couple of weeks, and I'm interested in Scott. It just doesn't seem right.”

“Do you remember the little poems I used to share with you and Lisa when you two would disagree?”

Jennie nodded. “Lisa is like a butterfly. She flitters around from one place to another, and everywhere she goes people feel all the more blessed for her having been there.”

“And do you remember yours?”

Jennie smiled. “An eagle, steady, strong, and to the point. She flies ever upward to touch the sky, blessing others with her strength.”

“Lisa has her way of dealing with becoming a woman and being interested in the opposite sex. Now you'll need to find yours. In the meantime, why don't you try to relax and enjoy yourself? It's not every day we have an opportunity like this.”

Jennie decided to take Gram's advice. She was an eagle, not a mole, and today seemed perfect for a new adventure. With Scott's help, Jennie and Gram learned the snorkeling basics. Scott carefully went over the rules and explained how fragile and vulnerable the coral reef ecosystem was.

“Most people don't realize it,” Scott said, “but it can take years for some of these corals to grow one inch. Even touching the coral polyps can damage them.”

After giving thorough instructions, Scott helped Jennie and Gram into their float coats and issued them masks and snorkels. Fully equipped, they descended the boat ladder and dropped into the water. At the reef they were greeted by some of the most colorful fish Jennie had ever seen. Their neon stripes flashed as they darted playfully in and out of the sea grass and coral. Scott pointed out a sea turtle and a queen conch, which he'd explained earlier was an endangered species. Jennie could understand why. Any shell collector would find it hard to pass up the beautiful seven-inch shell.

After what seemed like only a few minutes, Scott signaled them back to the boat. They'd been in the water for over an hour. During the sail back to Key West, they talked about the different species they'd seen, and identified them on a plastic chart Gram had purchased on the wharf.

As they approached the dock area, Jennie took Gram aside. “I've been thinking about your suggestion to ask Scott to come with us to Dolphin Island. We should ask him,” Jennie said. “We must be good for him … at least you are. He's so different from when we first met him.”

Gram nodded. “I could be wrong, but I think perhaps it's because we're offering him something he hasn't had in a long time.”

Jennie frowned. “What?”

“Respect, friendship, a chance to prove himself. And maybe a feeling that someone cares about him. Last night when I asked him where he lived, he said his mom has a house in Orlando and his dad in Miami and that he lives somewhere in between.”

“Oh, Gram. That is so sad.”

“Yes. Yes, it is. What's worse is that he thinks neither of them wants him.”

“So when are you going to ask him?”

“How about now?”

The surprise and excitement on Scott's face as Gram asked him about accompanying them up north and possibly working at the research center on Dolphin Island was all the thanks either of them needed to know they'd made the right decision.

When they got back to the house, Gram called the Coles to let them know Scott would be there. Scott called Melissa and told her he wouldn't be picketing Dolphin Playland for a while. During the rest of the afternoon and evening, Jennie sensed a change in Scott. After the phone call he seemed more subdued and maybe even a little nervous. Jennie began to wonder if he was having second thoughts.

After Gram had gone to bed, Jennie lingered in the living room, hoping he'd tell her what was bothering him. When he didn't, she asked. “You look upset about something. Have you changed your mind about coming? You don't have to, you know.”

“You'd like that, wouldn't you?” he snapped. His bristling attitude reminded her of their first meeting.

“Hey, I don't care if you come or not. But if you do, at least try to act civilized. You've been sulking ever since that phone call you made to Melissa. Is she your girlfriend or something? Is she upset about you going?”

“No. She's real excited about my going up there. Thought it was a great opportunity.”

Jennie leaned forward. “So what's the problem?”

Scott gave her a long, hard look. “You don't want to know.” He stood and headed out the door. “Don't wait up.”