Silent Witness by Patricia H. Rushford Read Free Book Online

asked in a conspiratorial tone.
    â€œI don’t think so.” Jennie flipped over on her stomach and shifted the phone to her other ear. “Gram said it was mostly a matter of his being in the wrong places at the wrong times. Unfortunately, his temper doesn’t help.”
    â€œWell, be careful.” Jennie heard Uncle Kevin’s voice in the background yelling at Lisa to hang up. “Gotta go. Dad’s having a cow.”
    Jennie turned out the light. Sleep eluded her as her mind kept dredging up pictures of Sarah. Those huge, dark, vacant eyes reminded Jennie of the starving children in Africa. She tried to imagine what it would have been like for Sarah to witness her father’s murder. “Poor girl,” Jennie murmured. “It must have been terrible for you.”
    Jennie’s father hadn’t been murdered, but she knew what it was like to lose a dad. Even though she’d never even met Sarah, Jennie felt connected with her. Despite the growing curiosity and excitement over seeing Sarah and Maggie again, jet lag and a full day’s activity finally pushed Jennie over the brink of wakefulness into a deep sleep.
    The next morning Jennie joined Gram on the patio for breakfast. After pouring herself a glass of orange juice, Jennie told Gram about the article Lisa had found. “This is so weird,” she said, scooping a piece of papaya out of its skin. “I mean … I don’t even know Sarah and Maggie, but I can’t stop thinking about them.”
    â€œAnd now it looks as though we’ll be staying at the same place.” Gram looked longingly at the plate of bacon and finally reached for a piece. “Perhaps you’ll be able to help her in some tangible way after all, Jennie. We’ll just have to wait and see what God brings about.” Gram studied her bacon before finally taking a bite. “I really shouldn’t be eating this. The doctor said I should be watching my cholesterol.”
    Jennie grinned. “You always say that and then you go right ahead and eat it.”
    â€œI do, don’t I? It’s my weakness.”
    Jennie helped herself to two pieces and handed the plate to Gram. “Want some more?”
    â€œNo, better save the rest for Scott. Which reminds me, have you seen him?”
    Jennie frowned. “He’s in the shower.”
    â€œGood,” Gram said, “there’s something I want to ask you about.”
    â€œYou’re wondering what we can do to get rid of him?” Jennie asked hopefully. As soon as the words left her mouth she wished she could have taken them back.
    â€œJennie, I’m disappointed in your attitude. I thought you wanted to help him.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I did want to help. I just …” Jennie glanced at her grandmother, then down at her half-eaten papaya. “I don’t know. There’s something about him that makes me uncomfortable. Anyway, what were you going to ask me?”
    â€œI was going to ask what you thought of our inviting Scott to join us at Dolphin Island. I’ve already spoken to Kevin and Debbie Cole, the people who run the center, and they’re willing to consider giving Scott a job.”
    â€œIf you’ve already arranged it, why bother to ask my opinion?” Fighting back waves of anger, she pushed away from the table. “Maybe you ought to just send me home and finish your trip with Scott.”
    â€œI see.” Gram calmly placed her napkin on the table. Jennie swallowed hard.
Nice going, McGrady. Gram treats you like an adult and you act like a jealous three-year­old.
“I’m sorry,” Jennie apologized again. “It’s just that this was supposed to be our time—a chance for us to be together.”
    Gram surprised her by saying, “You’re right. Here I invited you on this trip so we could spend some quality time together, and the first thing I do is to get involved in another