Ever Present Danger by Kathy Herman Page A

pretty remote.”

    “Maybe there’s a serial killer livin’ here.”

    “Then why hasn’t someone else gone missing?”

    “Wish I knew the answer.”

    Flint set his Styrofoam cup on the desk. “Me too, Bobby. But I’m going to get answers or die trying. I can’t spend another ten years addicted to this case.”

    Ivy Griffith stood outside Rita Shepard’s first-grade classroom at Tanner County Elementary School and looked through the window in the door. Ian Carter was introducing Montana to the other kids as if he were a new toy.

    Rita walked over to the door and stepped out into the hallway next to Ivy. “I think Montana’s going to be just fine.”

    Ivy nodded. “Seems like it. I really want school to be a positive experience, especially with all the pressure he has at home.”

    “I understand. I’ll do everything I can to make school fun. And from what I’ve seen so far, he won’t have any problem socially. How old is Montana?”

    “He just turned seven last month.”

    “He’s younger than about half these kids, but his vocabulary and social skills seem above average. Is there anything else I should know?”

    Ivy hesitated and then said. “Yes. I’m a recovering drug addict. I’ve been clean for three years, and my friend Lu—Montana calls her Gramma Lu—was there for him when I wasn’t. He has a very special attachment to her. Also, there’s never been a father in the picture.”

    “Thanks for being candid,” Rita said. “Knowing that will helpme be sensitive to Montana, especially while Lu is so ill.”

    Ivy looked through the window again and saw Montana and two other boys working on what appeared to be a jigsaw puzzle.

    “Don’t worry about him.” Rita reached for her hand and squeezed it, almost as a handshake. “I have a feeling he’s going to have a really good first day.”

    Ivy smiled. “You’re probably right.”

    She glanced in the classroom one last time, then walked down the long corridor and out of the building to her mother’s Jeep.

    She drove several miles back to Three Peaks Camp and pulled up the long, steep driveway and parked out in front of her parents’ log home. She went inside and found her mother in the kitchen, pouring batter into the bread maker.

    “So how’d it go?” Carolyn Griffith asked.

    “Good. The other kids were practically fighting over who got to play with Montana next. I like his teacher a lot.”

    “What a relief, eh?”

    “Yeah, really. I want him to have a good experience this spring so he won’t balk at going back to school in the fall. I’m going to go check on Lu, okay?”

    Ivy went upstairs and peeked in Lu’s room. She was sitting up in bed, her Bible open in her lap.

    “Come in.”

    “Don’t let me interrupt. I was just checking on you.”

    Lu took off her reading glasses. “Come tell me about Montana’s first day at school.”

    Ivy went over and sat on the side of the bed. “So far so good. His teacher’s a doll, and he seemed to fit right in with the other kids. He was so busy when I left he didn’t even look up. I have a feeling he’s going to love it there.”

    “That’s so good. I prayed it would go well.” Lu seemed to be pondering something for a few moments, and then caught Ivy’s gaze and held it. “There’s something I need you to do for me. Your parents had a talk with their pastor, and he’s offered me a burial plot at Woodlands Community Church cemetery. I need you to go pick out a casket. I’m not fussy—the least expensive one youcan find. There should be enough in my account to cover the cost.”

    “I can’t—” Ivy put her fist to her mouth, surprised at the surge of emotion that had stolen her words.

    Lu combed through Ivy’s hair with her fingers. “The cemetery will be a comforting place to come when you feel the need to talk to me—or when Montana does. It’s important to me that you’re comfortable with it.”

    “What about a headstone?”

    “A simple