that you bought those tickets,” Vera said, “Hazel will be expecting you at that dance, and her tongue will wag if you don’t show.” She sighed. “I guess this is good. Best place to hide is in plain sight.”
I leaned over to Luke. “I screwed up. I’m sorry.”
“I hope this doesn’t mess up Harris getting us a ride.”
Harris came in. He greeted us and sat down at the table at the exact moment Vera set down his plate. “Luke?” he said. “Can you give me a hand at the church after breakfast?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s see if we can get you on the road.”
“That would be much appreciated,” Luke told him.
“Yes, that would be wonderful,” I said. Even though tomorrow didn’t feel nearly soon enough.
9
Hazel McAllister peered through her blinds as Harris and Luke drove off.
“Darn that woman,” Vera said. “We’d best get to the market. Hazel knows I always do my shopping on Fridays, and Lord knows we don’t need to give her reason to wonder why I’m not at the Albertson’s.”
Not when Hazel had two hundred and fifty thousand reasons that were a phone call away. Hawkins’ reward could provide her a lot of comfort in her old age.
It was still early, but cars were parked outside the grocery store. Vera inserted her key card to release the door. A sign declared: WOMEN-ONLY SHOPPING UNTIL 3 P.M.
A group of women Vera’s age were seated at a couple of folding tables just inside the door. They spied us, and waved us over. All six had their eyes locked on me.
Vera sucked in a breath. I could almost see her thoughts spinning.
My feet turned, ready to walk right out and get back in the car. You can’t. You have to stay. I unzipped my coat, but left my hat on. “Cousin Vera, why don’t you relax with your friends while I do the shopping?”
She smiled and handed me the list. “That’s sweet of you, Tracy dear.”
I waved at the ladies, and received their approving smiles, then grabbed a cart. Dodged that bullet.
Rolling up the dairy aisle, I checked the ceiling, noting where the security cameras were placed, and angling my body so they wouldn’t get a good shot.
I wanted to get through the list and get out of there, but I could hear Vera and her pals whooping it up, their laughter echoing down the aisles. I needed to draw this out a little longer.
I passed the pet food aisle, and spied Selena. Bags of dog food overflowed her cart. I did a U-turn, and caught up with her. “Hey, how’s it going?”
“Ay, Tracy, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I cannot afford this food.”
“Can’t the Humane Society help?”
“No, they told me to take the perritos to the shelter in Denver. Is no-kill. But my husband, he is in Wyoming working the oil fields. I cannot do it myself.”
The map I memorized in fourth grade flashed in my brain. Laramie was due east, the same direction as Detroit. Don’t offer to help. Harris has probably found you a ride. “Sorry, Selena. That sounds really frustrating.”
“This is what happens when you have a big heart for perritos .”
I slid a ten out of my pocket and pressed it into her hand. “For the food.”
“No, I don’t want to take—”
“Please. I want to.”
“Okay. This time.” We smiled at each other like we knew there’d never be a next time. Looking over her shoulder, I spied Vera waving me down. “Excuse me, Vera needs me.” I pushed the cart over to her. “What’s up?”
“Hazel’s here,” she whispered. “Let’s vamoose.”
We headed for the only checkout with a cashier, and as we rolled up, I saw my face. Not just on People —but on every gossip magazine in the rack. And who was holding the Enquirer ? Hazel McAllister.
“Teen Terrorist” screamed the headline over my blurry pic.
“Lord Almighty,” Vera muttered.
My eyes darted to the exits. Don’t panic. You can’t panic.
I heard Roik, my old bodyguard, in my head. “The best defense is a good offense. If someone’s following you, turn