Shadows on the Lane by Virginia Rose Richter Page B

to see Miss Tyler. Tears streamed down her cheeks. When she slipped her hand into the librarian’s, the woman squeezed it hard.
    “Who is that little girl, Miss Tyler?”
    “Oh, Jessica dear,” sobbed Miss Tyler. “That’s Sunny, Bryce Peterson’s little sister.”

CHAPTER TWO
    The ambulance idled in the middle of the street, its roof light whirling. Police were there now, directing traffic around the scene. Jessie hung onto Miss Tyler’s hand and fought back tears as they watched the little girl, Sunny, turn her head toward Bryce. He patted her arm then stood back to let the medics take over. Two uniformed men attached a splint to the child’s leg, placed her on a stretcher, covered her with a blue blanket and lifted her into the ambulance. Bryce and his father climbed in after her. A moment later, one of the attendants jumped back out, closed the double doors and hurried to the driver’s side.
    “It looks like she’s awake, Miss Tyler. Maybe she just got a bump on her head and hurt her leg.”
    Miss Tyler nodded. Her hand was icy cold.
    “Let’s go sit down for a minute,” said Jessie. She led the woman back to the museum entryway and to a red cushioned bench by the door.
    “She just arrived here two days ago.” Miss Tyler’s eyes filled with tears. “Sunny, I mean.” She dabbed at her cheek with a lacy handkerchief. “She’s been staying with her grandmother in New York while Lawrence—Dr. Peterson—made the move here and got the museum ready to open.”
    “I didn’t know Bryce even had a sister,” Jessie said. “But I’ve only known him a few weeks. We just never talked about our families.”
    “Oh, yes. Bryce tries to look out for her since their mother died. That was four years ago. Sunny was four and Bryce would have been about ten.”
    “Did you know his mother?” asked Jessie.
    “Yes. I’ve known his father since we were in high school together here in Fairfield. When he married, I came to know his wife and the children.”
    Carl Hanson, Jessie’s father, stepped into the entrance and hurried toward her. He had shed his suit coat, loosened his tie, and unbuttoned his shirt collar. Recently appointed County Attorney, he had a law office downtown across from Courthouse Square. Even now, when he looked pale and worried, Jessie thought he was the most handsome dad in town. His short brown hair had a little curl, and his eyes were blue like hers.
    He nodded politely toward the librarian. “‘Afternoon, Polly. This is a bad day for the Petersons.” He looked at Jessie. “You’d better go home with your mother now, Jess.”
    “But…”
    “Don’t argue with me.” He reached for Jessie’s hand. This is serious trouble—a hit-and-run driver in Fairfield.” He drew Jessie to her feet. “I need to get downtown to the police station.”
    “But…can’t I go with you?”
    “No, Jess. I have to make sure the accident is written up correctly and that the best people are put on the case.”
    Miss Tyler rose, smoothed her dress, and checked her hair. “I think I’ll drive to the hospital and see if I can help Lawrence and Bryce.” She gave Jessie a little hug. “Thank you for your kindness, Jessica.” She started toward the door.
    “‘Bye, Miss Tyler. I’d be glad to go…” Jessie saw her father shake his head at her.
    “Jess. Go home. You are not going to the hospital and you are not going with me.” His voice was rising with exasperation. He walked firmly out the museum door and onto the porch.
    She ran after him. “Please,” she called as he descended the steps. “I should go with you because I saw the whole thing.”
    Her dad stopped and turned slowly to face her. “In that case, you’d better come along.”

CHAPTER THREE
    The car moved swiftly over the brick paving. Jessie stared out the window seeing over and over the image of the little girl falling onto the pavement.
    “I didn’t realize you saw the car actually hit the girl, Jess.” Her dad steered with