Autumn's Shadow by Lyn Cote Read Free Book Online Page B

called. She needs to see you right away. Your nephew's sitting in her office. I meant to tell you right away."
    A lead ball landed in Burke's gut. He'd known Nick would give him trouble, but this wasn't good timing. One thing on top of another and it was only the first full week of school. Another danger was that Keely might start classing Nick as a troublemaker. He knew how a reputation could dog a kid. "Thanks, Rodd," he said dryly.
     
     
    Within ten minutes, Burke walked into the principal's area at LaFollette High. He knew how to handle an investigation. He knew how to avoid unwanted questions from Turner. But how did he handle being the guardian of a kid in trouble at school? Especially when the principal was an attractive woman he couldn't get out of his mind?
    He paused just inside the door. Keely had her long, slender back to him, leaning against the counter talking to a woman, probably her administrative assistant, behind the counter.
    Keely's hair was pulled up high again. Little wisps trailed at the back of her neck. She wore a suit—pale yellow linen, expensive. Again, everything about Keely's appearance belied her position here. She didn't look like she belonged in this shabby building.
    Well, she didn't, according to her father. Why was she here? Why had she stayed in LaFollette and taken on the job as principal at a small consolidated high school? Burke didn't think her father's opinion weighed much with her obviously. but what made her tick?
    His mind snapped back to reality. Nick was depending on him. If Nick was guilty, Burke would make sure that he got a reasonable punishment. But if he wasn't guilty, he wasn't going to let Nick be the fall guy just because he was new here. Keely didn't strike him as unfair, but you never knew. He'd just met her father. Did the acorn fall far from the tree? After meeting the elder Turner, he had trouble putting them together in the same family. Burke pulled himself together. I'm here on business, unpleasant business. Stick to business.
    "Are you sure you feel well enough to be at school today?" the silver-haired assistant was asking, sounding motherly.
    "I'm fine," Keely replied. "Really. I'm just a bit tired from not getting much sleep after all the excitement."
    Would Keely's father let on to her about his suspicion in last night's incident? His sympathy stirred in spite of the situation with Nick that might present itself. This lady didn't deserve having to deal with the idea that someone might have been shooting at her, not just her school.
    They'd called each other by their first names last night, but in this setting, he reverted to formality. "Ms. Turner?"
    She turned around. "Officer Sloan."
    In the bright sunlight, the purple bruise on her forehead disturbed him even more. The silver-haired woman was right. Keely should be resting today, not here dealing with his nephew. His stomach smoldered. Nicky, if you're guilty of some stunt , you're in for it.
    The older woman cleared her throat loudly. "So you're the new deputy." She looked him over and then held out her hand. "I'm Freda Loscher. Been secretary here since the dawn of time. Welcome to the county."
    He stepped forward and shook her plump hand. He'd be happy when he'd gotten through all the introductions around here. "Nice to meet you," he said, noticing she didn't mind the term "secretary" which had fallen into disrepute.Interesting. Then he lifted an eyebrow at Keely, bracing himself for bad news. "You needed to see me, Ms. Turner?"
    "Yes." She dipped her chin. "I'm afraid that your nephew got into trouble this morning." She nodded toward a small room off to the side. Through the open door, he glimpsed his nephew sitting with his head down. Nick didn't look up.
    "He was a busy bee in the parking lot," Freda inserted in a chatty tone. "He let the air out of a whole row of tires. Mine included. What's his problem?"
    "Freda," Keely said repressively, "I'll take the deputy into my office and discuss this." She