A.L. Jambor - Where's Audrey? by A.L. Jambor Page B

she put them on, they hugged her butt.
    Why didn’t I think of these before? she thought.
    When she emerged from the bedroom, Lisa made a face.
    “You look like you’re going to a funeral.”
    “I do not.”
    “We’re supposed to be having fun, remember?”
    “I’m not really in the mood for fun.”
    Lisa looked at Mel’s face. “You don’t want to go out tonight, do you?”
    “Not really.”
    Mel’s phone rang. She looked at the caller. “I’ve gotta take this.” She went back into the bedroom and closed the door before answering. “Hello, Conner.”
    “How was the beach today?”
    “We had a good time talking. I haven’t seen her in a while.”
    “Did you get my message?”
    “Yes. My grandmother is looking for a power of attorney.”
    “They picked up Jason. He’s spending the night in jail.”
    “That means my aunt’s house is empty.”
    “Mel, don’t go getting any ideas. Legally, it’s his house.”
    “We could look in the windows.”
    “Don’t go near the home. Someone will see you, then I’ll have to put you in a cell next to him.”
    “I wasn’t planning on going alone.”
    “Did you think I would go with you?” Conner asked.
    “He’s under arrest. Can’t you get a search warrant or something?”
    “Not for animal abuse. The dog was found outside the home.”
    “Oh. So we can’t get inside.”
    “No, and I better not catch you trying to.”
    “Okay.” She paused. “What will happen to him?”
    “He’ll be arraigned and bail will be set.”
    “Will he go to jail?”
    “I doubt it. He’ll probably get probation and fines. Whatever the statutes allow. Or he could plead to a lesser charge.”
    “That sucks.”
    “Big ones.” Conner paused. “Like I said, don’t let me catch you near his home.”
    I wouldn’t dream of it, she thought. “I’m going to a club with Lisa. I won’t have time to snoop.”
    “A club? Which one?” he asked.
    “I have no idea. Lisa’s in charge of that.”
    “Be careful. The beach is full of idiots this time of year.”
    “We can take care of ourselves.”
    “Yeah, but still, be careful. Don’t drink and drive. The patrols are out in force right now and you will get picked up.”
    “I promise. Cross my heart.”
    “Will you be in Largo tomorrow?” he asked.
    “Why?”
    “I’m off. I thought we could have lunch.”
    She felt a tingle rise up in her stomach. “I can be there. What time?”
    “Well, if you’re going out tonight, why don’t we make it for two.”
    “Where should I meet you?”
    “In the sheriff’s parking lot. Like before.”
    “I’ll be there.”
    She hung up and held the phone to her chest. She had to admit she liked him. She also had to admit that her aunt’s home was calling her name.
    Mel called Vera and told her she wouldn’t be staying with her that night, and Vera sounded disappointed. Mel told her she would stop by for a visit before she left Florida and that seemed to appease Vera.
    She left the bedroom and found Lisa sitting at the kitchen table fixing her makeup. She sat across from her and smiled.
    “The guy who’s in my aunt’s home is in jail. The house is empty.”
    Lisa looked over her handheld mirror. “You have that look on your face.”
    “What look?”
    “That ‘Let’s go see what’s in my aunt’s house,’ look.”
    “It’s dark. We could look around without anybody bothering us.”
    “And if the guy next door sees us and calls the cops?”
    “The people around there go to bed early. We could park a block away and walk over. Come on, Lisa. Please go with me.”
    “Do you still want to get something to eat?”
    “Well, yeah.”
    “So we’ll go to your aunt’s after we eat?”
    “Yeah.”
    Lisa put the mirror down. “Can we go to a club when we’re done snooping around?”
    Mel smiled. “Absolutely.”

Chapter 16
    Conner clocked out of work and headed home. He kept thinking about Mel. He was glad she’d agreed to have lunch with him. When he drove home, he