Red Heart Tattoo Read Online Free PDF Page B

damage.
    “Just be careful,” Carla said, snuffing out her cigarette and standing. “Don’t let some jealous boyfriend work you over.”
    Roth knew that was how Carla had come into Max’s life. A jealous boyfriend had been beating her up when Max stepped in and evened the odds. Six months later, she’d moved in with Max, and two months after that, they married.
    “I’ll be careful,” Roth said, knowing full well that he wouldn’t. If he decided he wanted Morgan, he’d go after her full throttle. This was his last chance. They’d be graduating—well, she would. He’d never see her again. To hell with the consequences.
    Morgan was called to the principal’s office the next morning. Her nerves tingled. Being called into Mr. Simmons’s office was usually not a good thing. She smoothed her hair, sucked up her courage and marched down the hall. When she arrived, Principal Simmons introduced her to two detectives from the Grandville Police Department. “Detective Wolcheski.” The short round man nodded. “And Detective Sanchez.” The dark-haired woman smiled.
    “We want to ask a few questions about the fireworks last Friday,” Wolcheski said.
    Morgan remembered that her parents had told her notto be questioned unless they were present, so she said, “I’ll call my parents.”
    “Why?”
    Simmons jumped in with “The Friersons are attorneys. They’re just uptown.”
    “Do you really think you need a lawyer to answer a few questions, Miss Frierson?” Sanchez asked.
    Morgan’s heart pounded. “Mom said to call….”
    Wolcheski rolled his eyes.
    Principal Simmons made the phone call.
    Paige and Hal were there in twenty minutes. Once Morgan and her parents were seated in the cramped office, Paige asked, “What questions do you want to ask our daughter?”
    The detectives stood beside the desk looking down at them like birds of prey to Morgan’s way of thinking.
    Sanchez said, “Mr. Simmons tells us she was the person who organized the pep rally. Is that true?”
    To Morgan’s ears, it sounded accusatory, like she’d planned everything that had happened—the good
and
the bad.
    Hal nodded at Morgan. She could answer. “The student council planned the rally.”
    “And you’re the president?” Sanchez asked.
    “I am.”
    “What did you plan?”
    “To pump up school spirit before our game that night. The marching band was to play special music; the cheerleaders were to perform some cheers and gymnastic routines. Mr. Simmons approved everything.”
    “And the fireworks?”
    “Not part of our plan.”
    “So whose plan was it?”
    “Now, come on,” Hal interrupted. “You can’t possibly think the student council sanctioned a secret fireworks display.”
    Wolcheski turned toward Hal. “Here’s what I know, Mr. Frierson. The fire department and the police department turned out in force, at great expense to the taxpayer, for what turned out to be a prank. We’re trying to find the culprit and maybe seek reimbursement for time and personnel costs from the responsible party or parties.”
    “The fireworks came as a total surprise to all of us,” Morgan offered.
    Detective Sanchez crossed her arms, leaned against the principal’s desk and looked hard into Morgan’s eyes. “You know, when I was in high school, there was always someone, or a group of someones, who ran the place. A queen bee, a gossipmonger, someone who knew everything that went on within our hallowed halls. I have no reason to believe that’s changed in today’s high schools. Kids talk. Kids know.”
    Morgan felt her face grow hot with temper. The woman was practically calling her a liar. “Well, no one’s talked to me, Detective. I’d like to find out who did it too. It spoiled the pep rally and made our team miss a game.”
    A long, awkward silence stretched, until Hal said, “I think this interview is over. My daughter knows nothing about this incident. If she did she’d tell you.” He stood. “Now if you’ll excuse