Giving Up the Ghost (23 page)

She flew out of the car before Gabbie could come to a full stop. Cupping her hands into a
megaphone, she shouted, "Charlie! Charlie, come back here!" and then took off like a madwoman
down the path.

Gabbie started to follow, but spun around when she heard a car. The approaching police
car came to to a halt. Darren and Lionel jumped out and ran toward her.

"We just got here," Gabbie said. "Theo's gone into the woods looking for Charlie. She's
frantic."

"I'll catch up with her," Darren said. "Lionel, check out the shed."

"You know about it?"

"Of course," Darren called over his shoulder as he strode past.

I'm not waiting around like a dummy. She followed them.

The terrain sloped downhill toward the Sound. Although trees grew all around, she
realized she was following a narrow footpath. The snow was barely an inch deep, and she could
make out various sets of footprints, she had no idea how many.

About a hundred feet ahead of her, Darren and Lionel had stopped beside Theo, who
was shouting and banging on the door of a shed half-hidden by overgrown bushes. When Darren
laid a hand on Theo's shoulder, she shrugged it away. He appeared to have asked a question, to
which she shook her head no.

Theo stood, hugging herself, while Darren and Lionel walked around to the side of the
shed and peered through a small window. Obviously Charlie wasn't inside, because the three
continued along the path toward the Sound.

Gabbie was about to call after them, when she noticed a second footpath veering off to
the left and down to the beach. She followed it, realizing too late it must have been abandoned years
ago. She soldiered on, pushing aside branches and stumbling over stones. The path ended suddenly
at a rickety staircase that led down to the beach. Gabbie eyed the splintery steps half buried in snow
and wondered if she should take a chance, or if she'd end up twisting her ankle or worse. While she
was trying to decide, she saw a flash of red on the beach.

"Darren! Theo! Charlie's down on the beach, He's heading away from town."

She climbed back up the footpath and shouted twice again before they heard her.
Minutes later, they were at her side. Darren grabbed Theo's arm to keep her from dashing after
Charlie. Gabbie couldn't hear what he told her, but she saw Theo stamp her foot before following
Lionel up to the parked cars.

Darren gestured to Gabbie to walk beside him as they trailed behind. "I alerted the
county, and they're sending along a few men to help us search for Charlie." He whistled. "I hope we
find him before it gets dark."

"I hope he doesn't catch pneumonia. He's not even wearing a jacket."

Darren gestured toward Theo. "Do me a favor and take her home. I don't want her going
after Charlie on her own, especially since he's armed."

Theo's head whipped around. She snorted. "Right. He's really going to shoot me, the
only friend he has in the world. For a cop, you know beans about kids."

Gabbie bit back her retort. Now wasn't the time to lecture Theo on keeping a civil
tongue. Besides, Darren's instructions took precedence. "We're on our way," she said, as much to
Theo as to Darren.

She strode over to her car and opened the passenger door. The girl got in, her sullen
expression proclaiming her displeasure.

Once she had the motor running, she glared at Theo. She was about to give her a lecture
on attitude and respecting her elders, when she saw Theo was shivering. She retrieved an old army
blanket from the trunk and wrapped it around the girl, who sat stiffly as tears streamed down her
cheeks.

"Charlie needs this more than I do," Theo said.

"Hopefully, Chief Rollins will find him and bring him home soon."

Theo took the tissue Gabbie offered and blew her nose. "I should have made him tell me
where he hid that gun, instead of blubbering to you about my pathetic family." Her voice curled
with self-contempt. "I let him fool me when I should have been looking out for him."

"Theo, don't be so hard on yourself. You're not responsible for Charlie."

Theo turned the full force of her fury on Gabbie, and for a moment Gabbie feared she
would strike her.

"Yes, I am responsible for Charlie. I'm his friend. No one else gives a damn about him. No
one stops those creepy bullies from tormenting him all the time, in and out of school."

"I'm sorry," Gabbie said. "He should have told his father what was going on."

"He did. And for once Mr. Russell put down his bottle and took action. He went up to
school and told Dr. Jordan that Barrett and Ross were teasing Charlie, taking away his books and
things."

Gabbie pressed her lips together, dismayed by what she knew would follow.

"'Sure,' Dr. Jordan said. 'I'll handle the situation.'" Outraged, Theo whipped her long hair
from side to side. "And as usual, he did squat. Gave those creeps a talking to. And you know what?"
Her eyes blazed into Gabbie's. "They were worse to Charlie than before.

"I hope they both die, only I don't want Charlie to be the one responsible."

The car filled with the sound of wracking sobs. This time, Gabbie made no attempt to
comfort her. Let her get it out of her system. All the frustration and pain she's suffering because bad
things are happening, things no one can control or make better. She put the car in gear and drove
slowly toward Theo's house.

By the time she pulled into the driveway, Theo had herself under control. She offered
Gabbie a half-smile. Even tear-stained, her face revealed a sweetness that Gabbie knew was a
forecast of the beauty she was destined to become.

"Two crying jags in one day," Theo said ruefully. "I hope you don't get the impression
I'm an hysterical wimp 'cause I'm not."

Gabbie held back the hug she wanted to offer. Instead, she said, "I think you're a caring
person who's on overload."

Theo cocked her head and said shyly, "Do you think I'll make a good writer?"

"Is that what you want to be? A writer?"

"More than anything in the world."

"I don't see why not," Gabbie told her. "You're smart, articulate, and disciplined. Keep a
journal of what's been going on around you. God knows, you have enough material for at least three
novels."

Theo leaned over to give Gabbie a quick hug. "Thanks, Ms. Meyerson. I'm glad you
stopped by and we got to talk."

Gabbie smiled. "Will you be all right on your own?"

"Sure. I'm used to taking care of myself." She got out and headed for her front door.

"I'll phone if I hear anything about Charlie," Gabbie called after her, and watched till
Theo was safely inside.

Darkness was falling. Gabbie felt too heartsick to go to Logan's for company or
information. She drove to the cottage and made herself a sandwich. After eating it, she sat reading
on the musty living room couch because she didn't feel like talking to Cam, either. The phone rang
at eleven o'clock, startling her out of a half-sleep.

"Ms. Meyerson. It's Theo. They found Charlie."

"Oh, thank God," Gabbie said. "Where was he? Is he all right?"

"I guess. Chief Rollins took him over to Sonia's about ten minutes ago. I ran over there,
soon as I saw the police car. She got him into a hot bath and asked me to heat up some soup, and
then she chased me home."

Gabbie's heart was pounding as she said, "Did he meet up with Barrett and Todd?"

"I don't know." Theo's voice went dead. "Charlie wouldn't say, but I could hear him
crying. Sonia must have asked him about the gun, because he shouted, 'I don't have it. I don't have it
anymore.'"

"Oh, God!" Gabbie murmured. After a moment, she said, "Well, thanks for telling me,
Theo. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

She was hanging up when Theo said, "Ms. Meyerson, wait!"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering...My dad's staying with his girlfriend tonight, and I feel creepy here all
by myself."

Gabbie suppressed the anger she felt toward Fred Leverette as best she could. Still, her
voice had an edge when she said, "Does he know what happened with Charlie?"

"Mmm, I didn't go into it when he called. Dad doesn't like it when I get involved with
Charlie's problems. He thinks he should fight his own battles."

"I see."

Theo's words came in a rush. "Do you think I could spend the night with you? I won't be
a bother, I promise. I'll sleep on a couch. I just can't stand to stay here another minute by
myself."

"Of course you can, Theo. Gather up your books and clothes for tomorrow, and leave
your dad a note. I'll come by for you in just a few minutes."

Gabbie went into the den and called out to Cam. He didn't appear. Dammit, where was
he? He always showed up when she wanted her privacy, and now--

"What's the urgency this time?"

She heard his question before he materialized.

"Theo's coming to spend the night. I'm putting her in the den, so please--"

"How did this come about" His wide grin showed his curiosity. "Are you taking up the
role of substitute mother?"

"Don't be absurd!" she snapped. "She was out of her mind worrying about Charlie
because he ran off with a gun. Darren found him minus the gun. He seems to be okay, but the whole
ordeal's left her feeling spooky--er, nervous, about staying alone."

"Alone? Don't tell me Fred's gone away and left her too."

"He might as well have. He's staying with his girlfriend."

"The bastard," Cam said, without heat. "I'll watch over Theo all through the night."

"Cam, that's precisely the point. I don't want you around."

"And I don't want anyone breaking in while Theo's asleep in this cottage. I promise she
won't even sense my presence."

Gabbie threw up her arms. "I haven't the time to argue, but, for God's sake, don't upset
the poor child. She's had enough to contend with, without seeing you, too."

"Always a woman of tact, Gabriela," Cam chided as she fled the room.

* * * *

Theo was waiting for Gabbie outside her house, looking like a forlorn waif.

"Did you leave your dad a note?" Gabbie said, as Theo tossed her knapsack into the back
seat. "We don't want him to worry if he should come home and not find you here."

Theo got into the passenger seat and closed the door. "Sure, though he'll probably go
straight to the lab tomorrow morning with his girlfriend."

Gabbie didn't like Theo's pallor. She wished she had some hot chocolate at the cottage,
but tea would have to do. But when they got there, Theo refused her offer. She followed Gabbie into
the den, and curled up on the couch.

"Bathroom's upstairs. I'll go get some linens," Gabbie said.

When she came down again, Theo was fast asleep. Gabbie tucked a blanket around her
and retired to her bedroom. She read a few pages before she turned out the light. Hours later, two
sharp sounds interrupted her sleep. She sat up, terrified, but then realized the noise had come from
some distance away. Must be a car backfiring. She snuggled deeper under her quilt.

When the alarm went off at seven-thirty, Gabbie sprang out of bed, intent on preparing
Theo a healthy breakfast before she drove her to school.

"A cup of black coffee will be fine," Theo told her. "I can't eat early in the morning. It
makes me nauseous."

"No cereal?" Gabbie said, disappointed. "I could scramble you some eggs."

Theo flashed one of her rare smiles. "I wouldn't mind a piece of toast."

"A piece of toast it will be."

Gabbie dropped her off at school and came right home. She considered stopping by
Sonia's house to see how Charlie was feeling, but his aunt would probably resent her appearance
and think she was intruding.

I am intruding. She chuckled, realizing how far afield she'd wandered from her original
plan. Her intention to lead a quiet, solitary life had gone up in smoke, now that she was involved in
her neighbors' lives, deaths, and love affairs.

She straightened up after her overnight visitor, musing that she was growing fond of
Theo Leverette. Beneath her sarcastic, explosive veneer was a warm-hearted, loyal young woman.
Gabbie was glad she'd been able to offer her shelter and comfort.

The phone rang as she was carrying a pile of soiled clothes and linens to the tiny
laundry room off the kitchen.

"I can talk for five minutes," Darren told her by way of a greeting. "I'm driving Roland
over to the ME where they're performing the autopsy."

Her stomach lurched. "Don't tell me you're going to watch."

"No, we won't, but we want to be there. Gabbie--"

"Theo spent the night here. She told me you found Charlie and took him to Sonia's. What
on earth happened?"

"Barrett's dead."

"What!" Gabbie sank into a kitchen chair. The dirty laundry tumbled to the floor.

"Terry discovered the body early this morning while he was jogging down at the
beach."

"The beach. You mean, where you found Charlie last night?"

"Actually, closer to your cottage. The body was half hidden by bushes. Terry claims he
saw a boot sticking out, so he went to take a look. Poor guy was still shaken when I got there. Nearly
tossed his breakfast."

"How was he killed?" She had to know yet dreaded to hear his answer.

"Two shots to the chest. No sign of the weapon."

The dread turned to terror. Her heart thumped against her ribs.

"Is it the gun Charlie took from Sonia's house?"

"It's possible, though Charlie swears up and down he didn't shoot Barrett. He claims
Barrett took the gun away from him and told him to scram."

"Charlie said?" Then it dawned on her. "You've been questioning him. Don't tell me you
dragged him down to the station to give him the third degree."

"You've seen too many bad movies, Gabbie. I secured the scene with Lionel on guard,
and called the Suffolk County police. Again." He laughed without humor. "They must think Chrissom
Harbor's turned into a war zone. Then I stopped at Sonia's. Had a devil of a time convincing her to
wake up Charlie, but he must have heard us, because he came into the kitchen to see what was
going on."