Fly Away by Nora Rock Page B

give you a copy of his immunization records. To put your mind at ease. And of course, I’ll cover the cost of any treatment. Where can I meet you?”
    â€œIf you think—,” Shona began.
    I signaled her to calm down, and I leaned in toward the receiver. “Stouffville,” I told him. “Stouffville is best for us. There’s a café on the main street…” Stouffville was a small town. I figured he wouldn’t dare do anything to us in a restaurant on the main street.
    Shona made the call to Coach Saylor in Stratford to ask if our cheerleading practice could be moved from three o’clock to six. She even took responsibility, telling Coach that we’d missed our bus and that it was her fault, not mine. I smiled at her as she hung up the phone.
    â€œWe’ve become quite the team, Squirt,” I said.
    â€œDon’t call me that,” she said. But I could tell she was flattered.
    Benedict was at the café when we arrived. He made a big fuss about my arm. He was apologetic and charming. It wasn’t so hard to see what Arielle saw in him.
    â€œI’ve made a vet appointment for Moe,” he said. “I need to find out why he would behave that way.”
    â€œOh, there’s nothing wrong with Moe,” said Shona. “Drop the act.”
    Benedict looked pained. “You ladies really have it in for me, don’t you?”
    â€œYou have Arielle,” I said.
    He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t have Arielle, Miss Goodwood. Arielle has me. I’m her mentor. She’s staying with me voluntarily.”
    â€œThen why did that woman say she wasn’t there?”
    Benedict pressed his lips together. “Those were Arielle’s instructions. As you might imagine, considering the circumstances of her arrival, she’s concerned that her parents might try to force her to go home. If you’re her best friend, Miss Goodwood, why didn’t you just call ahead?”
    I squirmed. “She, uh, has her phone off…” I realized how that sounded. Like Arielle really didn’t consider me a friend at all.
    â€œAh,” said Benedict.
    My heart sank. Ari really hadn’t wanted me to find her. I looked down at my shoes.
    But Shona wasn’t ready to give up. “What about the sketches?” she demanded. “Why did you sketch Arielle’s paintings and pretend that she had nothing to do with it?”
    Benedict laughed. “Oh, boy,” he said. “Arielle mentioned that last night after you left.” He shook his head, as if remembering an irrational argument, the kind you’d have with a child. “My fault for not explaining to her that you can’t just go from paintings to sculptures.” He said it as if it was something everybody knew. “I work from line drawings,” he continued. “That’s what those were. But you’re right. I must remember that collaborators need to be given credit, even when I’m just posting my scribbles online.”
    Shona frowned. “Was it Internet scribbling that got you in trouble the last time? With the other ‘collaborator’? The one whose parents called the police?”
    I watched Benedict closely. His expression didn’t change, but he stiffened in his seat.
    â€œI’m not sure what you’re talking about,” he said. “But I’m quite sure it’s none of your business.” He smiled, but his eyes were fixed intently on Shona. “I should probably remind you that trespassing certainly interests the police.”
    â€œI wonder,” I said quietly, mustering every ounce of courage that I had, “whether setting a vicious dog on two young girls is the kind of dangerous act that might make a judge rethink a bail order.”
    Benedict slid his chair back with a squeal. “I don’t have to listen to this,” he said. “You girls are treading a fine line. Very fine. One