Secrets in the Attic (Secrets 1)

"I meant she didn't think anyone would believe her. That's why she never told anyone but me," I quickly corrected.

"Dad told me the police believe she went to New York City. Something about a phone call."

I nodded. The police did believe that. How I hated lying to everyone, but if I were careful with my words, I could skate on the border between falsehood and the truth, and my conscience wouldn't bother me as much. I wasn't ready to confide fully in Jesse. I wasn't yet sure it was wise to do it. I wanted to. I needed an ally, but I was still too afraid.

"Where could she go in New York? Did she have any friends in New York?"

"I don't know of any."

"She couldn't go to any relatives, that's for sure."

I nodded in agreement and breathed easier. At least, there was no question that Karen had made noise after Jesse arrived.

"What's it like for you at school?"

I described it to him, leaving out all the business with Dana Martin, of course.

"Yeah, well, at least you'll find out who could be a real friend and who couldn't," he said. "I better finish getting my stuff unpacked, clothes for washing and all," he said, rising. "I saw from Mom's schedule on the bulletin board that she'll be home by four today. What about Dad?"

"He said he might be working late. Otherwise, he was going to take me to see the police before dinner."

"To see the police again? Why?"

"He told them what I told him, and they want to talk to me about it."

"Oh. Right. Good," he said. "You do that, no matter what Karen's mother says or does. I'll go along, too," he offered. "If Dad says okay, that is."

"Thanks, Jesse."

"You'll be all right;' he said. "I brought you something from college."

"You did?"

"Come on up to my room, and I'll show you," he said, and I followed him up the stairs, gazing toward the attic door as I turned into his room. It remained shut tight.

Jesse went to his suitcase and took out a sweatshirt from his college.

"Should fit," he said. "College girls like them to be a little large."

"Thanks," I said. "I'll wear it to school torriorrow."

"Good. I'll finish up here and meet you downstairs to greet Mom. I'll pop out from behind a door or something."

I laughed. It was so good having him home that I didn't care about Karen being hidden upstairs. She'd have to figure out how to handle it herself or go. Maybe this was all for the best. Finally, something would bring it to an end. I went to my room to change into more comfortable things and then went down to wait for my mother. I started to set the table for dinner. That would be her first clue, the extra plate, I thought, and laughed to myself at what her reaction was going to be.

The phone rang. It was my father telling me what he feared happening had happened. He would be delayed and might not even make dinner. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him Jesse was home, but I thought Jesse wanted to surprise him.

"In any case, I've spoken with the police, and our interview with them is tomorrow after school. I'll be picking you up at school, and we're going right to the township police office," he told me. "Don't worry about it. You'll just tell them what you know, what you were told, and that will be that."

"Okay," I said.

"See you as soon as I can. Tell your mother for me."

"I will."

Not twenty minutes later, my mother drove in. She shouted for me as soon as she came in from the garage. Jesse was still upstairs.

"In here," I called back from the dining room. She stood in the doorway, looking in.