Confidential by Jack Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

"She is my mother."
    "Right. I know," Kaiser said, pulling out a couple pieces of paper, not even noticing how I could even view that as an insult. "Your story in Phoenix is that you are going to be sent to a mental hospital due to your traumatic experience. That's what we are telling your parents, although they will probably figure out that you have been moved. We recently notified your school and had everything transferred over to George Washington High School in Iowa." He looked at me expectantly but I just stared at him in disbelief.
    "You told people I'm going to a mental hospital?" I shouted.
    "It was the only way to explain your absence that was flexible enough that you could be gone for days or a couple months." Kaiser glared.
    "I don't want my friends to think that!"
    "We told the school to keep it private. Your reputation will be fine."
    "What am I supposed to tell them?" I was still yelling, completely flustered.
    "That you are going away for help, and will contact them when you return."
    "This is a joke." I folded my arms across my chest defiantly. "I hate this."
    "You have to go. You could be killed. It's for your own safety. This will keep you and the ones you love the safest. It's the best option."
    "Actually, we have a court order-" Kaiser stopped in mid sentence, seeing how distressed I had become, because I knew they were right, it was the only way I could ensure that I wouldn't be plagued by Mickey's vicious crones. They were at my school, my house. I was done.
    "Be packed and ready to go by tomorrow morning."
    The next morning came slowly. I didn't sleep at all, even though I saw two cars parked near my house, extra protection. I had five giant suitcases packed, and although my clothes didn't have the same shine and appeal they once had, they were part of my old life, my normal life; I couldn't leave them. So I packed it all and threw in my make-up, hair supplies, IPod, laptop- everything I used. When Detective O'Connor showed up, he had brought along a friendly looking lady.
    "This is our agent Anna Michaels. She is assigned to your case and will be working undercover with you, acting as your aunt."
    "Hi." I waved lamely, a little tired from the lack of sleep, it had been days since I had more than a couple hours of sleep. I looked awful and I just wore sweats, not really in the mood to go through my bags for something to wear.
    "Hi Heidi!" She smiled, very peppy-like. She was in her thirties, with pretty blonde hair and soft brown eyes. She walked over and helped with some of the suitcases, chatting while she went. "I know this must be really hard for you, but it can also be kind of cool. You can be whoever you want to be. Just think-you can invent a whole new you."
    But this was not what I wanted to hear; I was tired of changing. I didn't want a new me. I wanted the old me. The one that wasn't scared of every sound and movement I heard, the one that could go outside and not be paranoid of every person on the street.
    "I guess," I said lamely, shrugging as if that could convey a better response.
    "Nah. You'll see. You'll have a fun time in Iowa, new experiences and all that, and you'll be back here in no time." She smiled at me, flashing nice pearly whites. I looked over at Detective O'Connor who followed her around with longing in his eyes, smiling whenever she smiled, laughing whenever she did. It was extremely apparent, as I saw him rush to her aid whenever she tried to pick up a suitcase that was the least bit heavy, while leaving me to drag along the biggest one.
    I hung back while Anna took my suitcase to the car. I nudged the handsome detective, giving him a little wink. "That your lovely lady friend?"
    He stared at me in horror. "No. She just started working with our unit. We've talked a little bit. Nothing else."
    "But you want it to be." I grinned, suddenly changing moods from somber to hopefulness. I liked these detectives, even that rude Kaiser, they had grown on me.
    "It could never work. I