Relative Danger Read Free

everybody had a special teacher who helped direct her life. “Miss Hernandez has been really important to you,” I said, trying to prompt more information from her.
    Kat’s face brightened. “She’s been like a mom. I always go to her room before classes start, and she sits down and talks to me. She really listens.”
    “I’m glad you found someone like that, but I’m sure Miss Hernandez wouldn’t want you to let your grades go.”
    The cloudy eyes returned. “Lately she’s been ignoring me. I try to talk to her, but she’s always too busy. She seems to be constantly looking over her shoulder.”
    “Maybe she knew the custodian well, or she’s concerned about what his death is doing to students. Especially one of them.” I watched my granddaughter tighten her arms about her small waist. Maybe she knew more about her mentor’s involvement than she was saying. “Kat, you have to go to school.”
    “I can’t think, I can’t study, it’s miserable over there.”
    “But you’re about to start finals, and your senior year is almost over. Your average could drop tremendously if you don’t show up for exams.”
    She shook her head. What had gotten into the child? A horrible thought occurred to me. “The police haven’t implicated you ?”
    Kat’s arms jerked. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
    Alarm spiked from my heels up to my scalp. I stepped closer to hold Kat, but she backed away.
    Fearing for her, I knew my arguments weren’t going to counter her resolve or get answers to my questions. She loved going to malls. We could probably make more progress with girl-talk in a clothing store. “Let’s go shopping tomorrow,” I suggested. “You can pick out treats for yourself and help me find something special to wear while I watch you march across that stage.”
    “You don’t have to. I might not even show up for graduation.”
    I locked my knees to keep from falling. How could she choose not to attend? Maybe some kids received diplomas without taking part in the ceremony—but I’d promised Nancy I would see Katherine in a cap and gown. We needed a stage and her hand reaching out, accepting a diploma.
    But she wasn’t willing to talk now, and I couldn’t think. I kissed her cheek. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
    “All right.” She spoke without emotion.
    By the time I started my car and drove past her house, the front door was shut. Kat had disappeared inside.
    Throughout her school years, she’d made top grades her mother was proud of. Kat couldn’t let that all go now. I needed to get her back into classes.
    Who in this town could help me?

Chapter 2
    My heart pounded while I steered down streets, wanting Kat’s problem to disappear.
    She’d been through pre-K, kindergarten, and twelve more years. Her grades had been excellent, and she’d hardly missed any days. Now someone she didn’t know had succumbed, and everything she’d worked for all those years would vanish? These final days of high school, which should have been so much fun, would be ruined?
    No, that couldn’t happen. I had to keep her in classes, and I’d probably need assistance.
    “Dad’s always grumpy,” Kat had told me once when I phoned. Roger remained mired in his world of memories, surely waiting for cheerful Nancy to come home. Kat and I knew she wasn’t returning, but did he? While I was in town this time, I’d have to push harder to bring him out of his misery. But the most pressing problem was Kat.
    Roger was in no position to notice her withdrawal, let alone try to help her work her way out of it. I lived states away, and Kat’s final exams were about to start. Whatever I could do, I needed to do quickly.
    Who else did I know in this town? I wondered, trying not to consider the sole answer.
    After Nancy’s death, Kat had naturally been mournful at first, but had gradually taken up her life again. She’d joined clubs and always excelled in classes. A cute boy at school liked her. Then another. She’d