Halloween in Paradise (Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries Book 6) by Kathi Daley Read Free Book Online Page B

great one,” Tj said, “but I grew up without a mom, and it is hard. In any case, I imagine having to raise a baby on her own humbled Chantel a bit. I still don’t know her well, but I’ve seen her around town and we’ve worked together on a few committees. We’ve never really talked on any sort of personal level, but it seems she’s managed to put her bullying aside and has turned out to be a really nice lady who cares deeply about her daughter.”
    “So the bully’s daughter became the victim. That would be almost poetic if it wasn’t so sad. Lexi is a great kid. We need to find a way to help her.”
    “I agree. Maybe I’ll have time to stop by to talk to Chantel while my sisters are at dance. Between us we might be able to figure out a way to help Lexi get past this.”
    “Have you found out who did this to Lexi in the first place?” Gina asked as the first bell sounded in the distance.
    “No, but I have my suspicions. I need to check some things out, and I don’t want to even speculate until I do. I’d hate to attribute this cruel act to anyone unless I was certain.”
    “That’s probably a good idea. It’s crazy the way people gossip around here. I mentioned to another teacher that I thought a student we have in common might be cheating and the next thing I know it’s all over campus that I accused the student of cheating. That wasn’t what I did at all.”
    Tj laughed. “Trust me, some of the teachers are bigger gossips than the kids. Not all of them, but it’s best to keep your suspicions to yourself until you’re sure.”
     

Chapter 6
     
     
    Samantha Colton was an absolutely stunning black woman who looked like she could be a model. She was at least six feet tall, making Tj, who stood at five foot nothing, feel like a child. Her dark hair was pulled back to show off her flawless skin and deep, dark eyes.
    “Ms. Jensen.”
    “Tj is fine. May I call you Samantha?”
    “If you wish.”
    “Please have a seat,” Tj offered.
    Samantha sat down and crossed her legs. She took a pen and a small notebook out of the large bag she carried. “I know you only have fifty minutes until your next class, so I’ll be brief and to the point.”
    “Okay.”
    “I have a list of students who attended the party the night Holly Riverton was murdered that I obtained from the sheriff’s report. I’d like you to look at it to see if it’s accurate to the best of your knowledge and memory.”
    Tj looked at the paper. It had been ten years since Holly had been killed, but that night had been etched in her brain. There were initially just ten students. Jenna, Dennis, Hunter, and Tj had arrived just after Brett, his date Jessie, and Jessie’s best friend Holly. Shortly after they got there, Nathan Fullerton, the editor of the school paper, and Jada Jenkins, computer nerd, had shown up. Within thirty minutes after that Mia Monroe had arrived alone.
    During the evening at least ten other students had come and gone, including Mackenzie Paulson, who ended up being the class valedictorian, and several members of the football team, who arrived with the female groupies who tended to follow them around. Tj also remembered seeing Vicki Davis and Doreen Sullwold. As far as Tj could tell, the list was accurate, but there could have been others who’d stopped by for a short visit before moving on.
    “To the best of my knowledge the list is correct.”
    “Can you walk me through the events of that evening?” Colton asked.
    “A bunch of us were hanging out in the parking lot in front of the school when Brett pulled up in his new Mustang and invited everyone who was standing there to a party at his house.”
    “Was that normal behavior?” Samantha wondered.
    Tj frowned.
    “Did Brett Conrad often throw parties to which he invited friends from a wide array of social groups?”
    “No. Actually, Brett was known for throwing parties that specifically excluded anyone who wasn’t a member of the popular crowd.”
    “So