Black Orchid Girls (Detective Amanda Steele)

“Where is Lauren now, by the way?” Amanda asked.

“Probably out with some of her hippy, tree-hugging friends.”

“You’re not into the environment?” Trent raised an eyebrow. “I’d think you would be, given where you go to school.”

“Oh, I am. I’m just not risking a bulldozer running me over to save a tree.” She tapped a finger to her head as if to imply she was a genius for that.

“What do you know about Planet Rebirth?” The name kept coming up. Had it just been a part of Chloe’s life, with nothing to do with her murder—or was something there? Maybe they should pay the place a visit, but unless something significant led them there, they already had more than enough to keep them busy.

“They’re an environmental group, dedicated to fighting climate change. Chloe loved them. She was a brand ambassador for them on Snap VidPic.”

“Yeah, we found that out,” Amanda admitted. “Were you or Lauren a part of the group, or supportive?”

“Lauren more than me. I tagged along to a couple of their events.”

“Why only a couple? Something rub you wrong?” Trent asked.

“I just have enough on my plate with school. I need to study harder than some people just to get a passing grade.”

Amanda nodded, closing the subject on Planet Rebirth for now. “Did Chloe have a computer, a laptop, tablet?”

“Uh-huh, a laptop. It’s not in her room?”

“No,” Amanda said.

“Well, she was inseparable from it, and her phone.”

“Okay, thank you for your time and cooperation.”

Jayne hopped off the stool she’d been on and put both earbuds on the counter. “Are you getting any closer to knowing who did this to her?”

Jayne was one multi-faceted girl. It wasn’t what you see is what you get with her. Amanda would guess Jayne was much deeper and far more sensitive than she let on. While it might seem she took the murder of her friend in stride, Amanda didn’t think that was the case. Jayne was struggling. And hurting. “We’re doing all we can to find out who killed Chloe.”

Jayne let out a deep breath and briefly shut her eyes. “Did you talk to Luke?”

“We have,” Amanda said.

“He really was obsessed with her, and don’t forget Stephanie. She was a loser next to Chloe.”

“You really think one of them killed her?” Amanda asked outright.

“Not sure about Stephanie. Probably not. But Luke? Maybe, even though I think Stephanie has a thing for him.”

First time hearing that. “You mentioned he stalked Chloe when we spoke before. Did he ever show up here at her home?”

Jayne shook her head. “Not like that bad, but he was just always around, or so it seemed. Lurking in the shadows type of thing.”

“I see. How long have you known Chloe?”

“Since elementary school.”

“And how long had Lauren and she been friends?”

“Just since Chloe started at Geoffrey Michaels.”

“Okay. Thank you for your cooperation.” Amanda bit back the urge to say, Hang in there. She just wanted to offer some encouragement, but the best thing she and Trent could do for the girl was find Chloe’s killer.