Murder of a Sleeping Beauty Read Free Page A

I’m worried about the type of group he might eventually find.”
    “But what about now? Is there anyone he hangs with?”
    Skye shook her head. “Why are you asking all these questions about Justin? Surely you don’t suspect him of being involved with this death. He was with me this period.”
    “We don’t even know what happened, let alone when. But since this boy was around, I just want to get a picture of him. Have you talked to his parents? What are they like?”
    “I’ve tried to warn his parents of the seriousness of his emotional state, but his mother’s coping with her own depression, and his father’s in poor health. They’re both pretty absorbed in their own needs.”
    Wally made a note, and his voice turned formal. “Thanks. Please sit on the bleachers with the boy until you’re dismissed.”
    Skye chafed at his brusque tone but did as she was told.
    Simon Reid, the coroner, arrived next. As tall as the chief, he had a more sophisticated demeanor. His dark auburn hair and golden hazel eyes reminded her of Gary Cooper. As usual, he was dressed impeccably in a perfectly pressed designer suit.
    He rushed past Skye, nodding coolly. He was another of her interpersonal disasters. They had dated for nearly a year after Skye had first returned to Scumble River, but had broken up last summer when he had pushed for a level of intimacy she wasn’t ready for.
    Skye sat on the bottom row of the bleachers. Shouts echoed through the cavernous gym. Ceiling lights in their safety cages cast ominous shadows. Justin sat beside her, sneaking worried glances at her face. She knew she should say something to reassure him, but she felt drained and unable to move, let alone make a decision.
    Occasionally, she heard the voices of people trying to push past the police officers and enter the gym. Eventually, someone calling her name penetrated her fog. She rose unsteadily from the bench and made her way to the door.
    Kent Walker, Scumble River High’s new English teacher, the director of Sleeping Beauty , and the man Skye was half-heartedly dating, was arguing that they should let him into the gym. He was tall and lithe, with a casual grace that spoke of money and privilege. He had caused many heads to turn and hearts to throb when he moved to town last September. Skye had never understood why he chose to date her, especially since there was so little sexual chemistry between them. She had come to the conclusion it was because she shared his wry view about rural life.
    He turned away from the officer and demanded, “Skye, tell these buffoons who I am.”
    She dutifully said, “This is Kent Walker. He’s the director of this year’s musical.”
    “So?” Deputy McCabe took off his hat and scratched his head. “The chief says nobody comes in or goes out. No exceptions.”
    She shrugged at Kent. “Sorry.”
    His handsome face reddened. “I need to come in.” He dropped his voice. “Is it really Lorelei Ingels?”
    Skye hesitated. “I can’t say. The police aren’t releasing the name until the next of kin can be notified.”
    Kent’s tone turned frosty. “Why are you treating me like a stranger? I thought we had something between us.”
    She raised an eyebrow. Something between them? She didn’t think so. True, they had gone out half a dozen times, but they weren’t dating each other exclusively, and they had never progressed beyond a quick kiss good night.
    Skye stared at Kent, who was frowning and tapping his foot. She hadn’t noticed before, but his jaw was slightly receding, and when he tensed it, as he was doing now, it looked as if he had no chin at all. She gazed in fascination as he changed from good-looking to downright ugly. Why am I thinking about Kent’s appearance at a time like this?
    Finally, she forced her attention back to the situation at hand. “Sorry, what did you say, Kent?”
    “I asked why you’re acting so strangely.” His blue eyes were icy.
    “Well, it is quite a shock to find a