Undercover Justice (43 page)

The Country Club looked beautiful. It was a warm night for a change. A heat wave had come through the last couple of days. It was a balmy seventy-five. The sun was just starting to set, casting the sky in beautiful reds and oranges. Candles in little buckets, lined the walkway leading up to the main entrance, as well as the path leading down to the lake and around the gazebo that sat facing the sunset.

It was breathtaking. Perfect. We walked up the steps where everyone was gathered on the veranda. The queen and king were going to be announced before dinner. The school photographer was busy rounding up all of the prom court nominees to take pictures. I grinned at Kent as we stood across from each other in a semicircle. The guys were on one side of the fountain and the girls on the other. I have to admit that it was nice to share this experience with Kent.

We had shared our whole lives together. As twins, we were never far apart. It felt good to have him with me.

After pictures, we mingled for a few minutes getting punch and some cheese and crackers. People were really just starting to arrive. We had arrived a few minutes early, but I still glanced around looking for Jed. I really had no idea when he was going to get there.

Turning, I ran into Vanessa on Tyler’s arm.

“Where’s your date?” she asked with a laugh. “Did he ditch you? I saw you come with your brother.”

“Nice to see you to, Vanessa. I love your dress by the way,” I said and then turned away. She didn’t bother me, like she would have before. I found that I could ignore her and it didn’t bug me.

I heard her snicker to someone behind me. I knew that she thought she had won the upper hand. She was positive that she was going to win and she was busy flaunting Tyler on her arm, like he was such as great prize. At one time, I guess I thought he was. Boy, am I glad I came to my senses. I guess I really hadn’t had much of a choice though, I thought, laughing to myself.

I waved to my mom and dad standing by the top of the steps greeting everyone as they walked up onto the veranda.

A short time later, the principle announced that it was time to read the results. He asked the court to come and line up against the railing. We all filed through the crowd, and leaned up against the railing, our backs to the pond.

The Country Club had outside speakers set up, so he used a microphone to be heard over the crowd that was gathering around, waiting to hear the results.

“After I announce the winners, they will have the first dance on the dance floor with a partner of their choosing,” he began, “Now for the results. I am pleased to announce that this year’s race for King was very close. So close in fact that the votes had to be counted twice. Please put your hands together for runner up… Kent Barton! Let’s give him a big round of applause. Come on.”

I clapped loudly and grinned at Kent, as he turned bright red and took a step forward and nodded at the crowd. Even though he didn’t win, I was still very proud of him for being runner-up.

“Ok, now the moment many of you have been waiting for. Let’s put our hands together for King... Tyler Gordon!”

Tyler stepped forward and bowed. Girls screamed and waved. He sure was popular with the female crowd, I thought, watching everyone fuss over him. Vanessa bask in the other girls jealousy over her date.

As the clapping died down, Principle Culver turned to the girls. “Now for the Queen,” he said as the crowd erupted in excitement once again.

“The runner up is……...” he said drawing it out. “ Vanessa Bigsby!”

Her face was shocked, but she quickly recovered and stepped forward graciously and waved.

Butterflys formed in the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t believe that Vanessa had lost. Even though I told myself I didn’t care if I won or not, a part of me really did want to win.

“It is with great pleasure, that I announce the new Prom Queen of Pine Hill High. Ms...Nora Barton!”

My face turned red. I looked over at everyone clapping and smiling. I saw my parents standing by the doors looking so proud. Kent was standing with the other court members, a huge grin on his face. Charlotte, Ollie and Gabby were waving to me and clapping. I felt so wonderful; I knew that I must have a huge silly grin on my face. If only Jed were here to share in it.

Stepping forward, I accepted my crown and waved to the crowd. The photographer snapped my picture with Tyler and then Principle Culver announced it was time for the first dance.

As Tyler chose Vanessa as his dance partner, I looked around. Who was I going to pick? Kent? My dad? While I loved them both dearly, that would so not help my cool factor.

Someone gasp, then another, and people started pointing towards the lake. I looked at Kent. “Turn around Nora,” he said with a smile.

I turned around and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Jed was riding Saber up the lighted path. He was dressed in a black tux with a silver shirt and carried a small bouquet of silvery roses. Small purple flowers were woven around Saber’s bridle. Jed looked magnificent perched straight and tall on Saber’s back. He was so breathtakingly handsome that my breath caught in my throat.

I heard many girls sigh. It was like every girl-hood dream of a handsome prince arriving on horseback to carry the girl off into the sunset. Only one girl would be so lucky on this special evening. The prom theme of A Knight in Shining Armor was happening live, right in front of me.

My heart started pounding so hard I thought it was going to jump out of my skin. Somehow, my feet managed to carry me down a few steps until I was standing eye level with the Saber. I stood there waiting. I couldn’t take my eyes away from Jed’s. His eyes were filled with love and hope. Just like in the fairy tales.

When he got to the bottom of the stairs, he dismounted and taking the reins in one hand, held out the flowers to me and said, “My lady,” as he bowed deep at the waist.

Jed looked wonderful. It felt so good to see him. I knew without a doubt that I would listen to everything he had to say, and I would give him a second chance.

“May I have this dance?” he asked formally.

“Of course, kind Sir,” I said with a curtsy.

Jed’s stable hand Skip, appeared out of nowhere, and grabbed Saber’s reins. With a hand on the small of my back, Jed led me up the stairs and onto the dance floor.

I couldn’t believe, when I had turned around, how many people there were staring at us. In the back of my mind, I had registered the silence. It had felt as if only Jed and I were there. Instead, the whole senior class as well as their dates and chaperones had been silently watching Jed present me with the flowers.

As we had walked past, my mom had given me a little smile, her arm around my dad. I couldn’t tell if she was touching him as a tender gesture, or to hold him back.

I sighed as his arms came around my waist and he pulled me close. His hard muscular arms, held me tight up against him as we danced. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Tyler and Vanessa swaying to the music beside us. Even they looked on with envy as Jed waltzed me around the dance floor expertly.

We danced to the song, our eyes locked on each other, hungry for this closeness. We were silent; no words were needed as we savored the music and being together. It was almost magical.

When the song ended, Jed leaned down close to my ear and whispered, “Take a walk with me?”

I nodded. Jed, with his hand entwined with mine, walked me out the building and toward the lighted gazebo, so that we could have some privacy. The night was beautiful with the stars just coming out and a warm breeze blowing gently across the water.

As we got there, I was relieved to see that it was empty. Everyone else was up on the dance floor, eager, now that the dancing had started.

Jed lifted a hand and brushed my hair away from my face.

“You look so beautiful tonight,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry Nora.”

“Shhh,” I said laying a finger across his lips. His eyes had said enough. “I’m sorry for not letting you explain.”

“You deserve better than me, Nora.”

“You are exactly what I desire, my Knight in Shining Armor,” I said, as I reached up and brought his head down to mine.

It was a long time before Jed let me go.

I knew that no matter our differences, we would find a way to be together. This night had been absolutely better, than I could have ever imagined.

Epilogue

Monday morning, I walked into school with a great big smile and a bounce in my step. Everything was wonderful. Jed and I had talked late into the night at prom. We had no secrets between us. My parents knew we were dating again. Although they still thought Jed was a student. Ms. Morley and her thugs had been rounded up and there was only a month to graduation. Things couldn’t be better.

I headed to my locker, surprised to see a white envelope with my name on it taped to the outside. Looking down the row of lockers, I saw that Kent and Charlotte had similar envelopes. Pulling it off, I opened it up. Inside was a typed letter requesting my presence in the science-club room after school. It was unsigned.

Ollie had gotten one to. We talked about nothing else all day. When the school day finally ended, the four of us headed towards the room.

When we walked in, Jed, Lieutenant Davis, as well as Detective Cooper and Officer Mike Parker, were sitting on the couches. As we entered, they all rose and Lieutenant Davis said, “Please shut the door.”

Jed sent me a warm grin, as we walked over with questioning looks on our faces.

Jed was trying hard not to let his anxiety show. He had just had a private conversation with Lieutenant Davis, who had informed him of his new assignment. Looking at Nora, Jed’s heart constricted painfully, at the thought of having to hurt her again. He just didn’t know how he was going to get through it this time. He had pleaded with the Lieutenant to find a different way, even though Jed knew that it was the best plan. Pushing those thoughts to the side, Jed smiled at Nora; he was determined to make the most of the time he had with her.

“You’re probably wondering why we asked you all to come,” Lieutenant Davis started. “I wanted to personally thank you for your help in solving the murders of the two missing boys. I also wanted to make you a proposition. Are you interested?”

Looking at each other, we all turned to him and nodded. I couldn’t imagine what he had to say.

“It has come to our attention that The Order may be planning some sort of retribution. The scope and the magnitude we are unaware of. However, I feel that because students at the high school have been so entwined with them in the past, that we may get the answers we seek from students here at Pine Hill High. As you know, we have formed a special undercover unit combining the man power of the Sheriff’s department with the Pine Hill Police Department.” Pausing, he strode over to us and looked us each in the eye.

“Officer Greyson has suggested that it would be beneficial to have someone on the inside that could facilitate our undercover officer and provide a sort of, ground support. I agree. Therefore, I am asking all of you if you would be interested in being a part of this special unit called Justice.”

“I would be honored, sir,” Ollie said stepping forward.

“So would I,” Kent said.

“I’m in,” I said, turning red from the heated look Jed was giving me. His eyes were broadcasting his thoughts, loud and clear for everyone to see. It was obvious he wanted to get me alone. He sure knew how to make me turn red. Kent saw it too, if his reaction to Jed’s look was any indication. I couldn’t see that part changing anytime soon.

“Me too,” Charlotte said.

“Good, you report to me now. Starting next Monday, you will be getting a new student. Officer Parker, step up and say hello.”

“Hey guys! You got any single girl friends,” he said with a grin.

Lieutenant Davis slapped a hand over his face and groaned, as the rest of us burst out laughing.

* * * * *