October Snow by Jenna Brooks Page A

have anything but what I put in my bag this afternoon.”
    “We can take care of that,” Max said, looking over Sam at Jo.
    Jo was staring out the window. “Don’t worry, Sammy,” she said. “We can take care of whatever you need.” She handed her a box of tissues, caressing her cheek for a moment. Sam looked up at her. “I mean it. Don’t worry about money.” She glanced out the window. “Hey, the pizza’s here. Be right back.”

    Jack Seever wasn’t happy.
    “Liz, I told you I’d be here at seven.”
    He wasn’t a big man–only five-feet, nine or so inches tall, and slender–but he was muscular, and there was something menacing about his affect.
    “I know that, Jack. And I told you when she left this afternoon.” She came out onto the front steps, reluctant to allow him into her house.
    He leaned against the railing, looking knowingly at her. He smiled. “So, where is she?”
    Liz thought his expression looked like a threat of some kind. “I don’t know.”
    His smile faded. “Yeah, you do .”
    Liz sighed, nervous, but hoping she sounded merely annoyed. “No, Jack, I don’t.” She hurried to continue as his face turned hard. “But…I would assume she’s with Josie and Maxine.”
    His face relaxed a bit. “Okay. Where would I look, then? They live off the main drag in the city, right?”
    “You know those old houses that the city converted into apartments? They live in the same apartment house, but I never asked Samantha which one.”
    Jack looked doubtful.
    “It’s one of those places near Pine Street.” She took an unsteady sip of the wine she was holding, keeping her eyes on him. “I’m serious, Jack. I don’t know the exact address. I know it’s a light blue Victorian, backs up to the conservation lands.” She was talking fast, anxious for him to leave. “Remember, I’m the one who told her to see you tonight.”
    He studied her for a long moment, deciding to believe her. “And for that, I thank you, Liz.” He handed her the white roses he had brought for Sam, and gave her a perfunctory kiss on the cheek.
    As he jogged down the walkway, Liz called after him, “Let me know when you find her.”

    Max was at the sink washing a few dishes when Jo came in. She jumped up to sit on the counter, grabbing a dripping plate from the rack, and then a towel. “She fell asleep.”
    “Poor kid.”
    Jo was stacking the plates to the side. “I’m going to move her car to the parking garage on Concord Street. Get it out of view. And you know, I may need to get to the bank soon. She needs things, not the least of which is a lawyer. Unless Dave wants to step up, that is.”
    Max smiled. “You’re a nice person, Bim.”
    “Eh.” She waved the towel in Max’s face. “You too. What time are we getting her stuff tomorrow?”
    As if she hadn’t heard the question, Max went on. “Be careful, though. I can’t imagine you can run through your money too fast.”
    “I’m on it. Don’t worry. What time?”
    “Then I’ll leave it there.” She handed a china cup to her. “Two, maybe three o’clock. We’ll pick her up at work.” She reached for the small stack of plates, putting them carefully in the antique cabinet that sat in the corner of the small kitchen. She closed the cabinet, then pretended to slap her own cheeks, back and forth. “I’m being a bad friend. I need to get in-the- moment here. But, I mean, we need to plan our trip, too. We have the house now. In spite of everything else, I’m just really excited about that.”
    “Well, you should be. I want you to be.” She dangled her legs, smiling. “Maybe we can talk the Bimbat into a summer at Bow Lake.”
    “Better chance of it now, that’s for sure.” She sobered then. “I’m scared for her, Jo.”
    “Well, then, we’ll be on our toes that much better, right?”
    “Then you’re scared, too?”
    “Concerned. Worried.” She nodded, looking down at her dangling feet. “A little scared. We’ll handle