No Way Out by Fern Michaels (great books for teens .TXT) 📗

intercom. “Good night, Jackson!” she called and hit the gate lock button.

“Thanks, Ms. Bowman! Something sure smells good!”

Ellie laughed. “It’s chicken Milanese.”

“Chicken what?”

“It’s kinda like Italian fried chicken.” That was the best way to describe the taste. “With some salad on top.”

“I like fried chicken. Salad, not so much.” Jackson waved toward the window from which the fine aroma was coming. “Bye!”

Ellie hit the lock button after Jackson exited, and Buddy came galloping through the laundry room and kitchen.

“Oh, now you want to be my friend?” Ellie fixed Buddy’s bowl. He wagged his tail in agreement as she set it on the floor.

Ellie tossed the salad, removed the chicken from the pan, and topped it with the greens. Jackson was right. It sure smelled good.

Ellie pulled a stool from under the counter, plopped herself in her usual position, and continued to watch TV. Sometimes, the news was so dreadful that she would channel-surf, looking for something uplifting. She stumbled upon The Andy Griffith Show and remembered Hector’s description of Hibbing. “It’s like Mayberry.” And that was fine with her.

Chapter Twenty-five

Colleen was relieved that Frank and Jeanne had returned. She felt safer with them next door. The big issue was going to be the new neighbors across the street. She was concerned about Randy Gaynor, the twelve-year-old delinquent. She thought again about asking Officer Bob Pedone for information. Instead, she figured she would simply mention it and see if he could offer any information or thoughts. The last thing she needed was for a new kid to be a bad influence on Jackson.

Mitchel’s court date was coming up, and Colleen thought that would be a good excuse to call the policeman. She walked over to the bulletin board, picked up the phone, and nervously dialed the number.

“Pedone,” he answered.

Colleen hesitated, then cleared her throat. “Hello. It’s Colleen Haywood. How are you?”

“Well, hello, Colleen Haywood.” Pedone wasn’t sure if he should be informal and call her by her first name. “How are you? Everything all right?”

“Yes, fine, thank you.” Colleen felt like a schoolgirl talking to this man.

“What can I do for you today? You haven’t had to use that Taser, I hope.”

Colleen could sense he was smiling. “Oh, no, nothing like that. Mitchel’s court date is coming up, and I was checking to see if you were going to be there.”

“Yes, since I was the arresting officer and filed the report,” he explained.

“Oh, good. I thought that was the case, but I wanted to be sure.” Colleen hesitated. “Do you think you could stop by some time for coffee? I want to run a few things past you.” There. I said it.

“Anything serious?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

“What do you mean?” he prodded.

“I’d rather discuss it in person, if that’s OK with you.” She winced, waiting for his response.

“Sure. No problem. When do you want to meet?”

“I’ll be finished with school around three-thirty today. We have a meeting. I should be home by four, if that’s not too late. Or early.”

“Not a problem. Will Jackson be staying with you at school?” Pedone asked, recalling Colleen’s telling him about Mitchel hanging around.

“No. My neighbor Frank will meet him and walk him home. He’ll sit with him until he finishes his homework. Then Jackson will most likely go down the block to Ellie Bowman’s.”

“That’s good. Is Mitchel still hanging around at the end of the block?”

“He wasn’t there yesterday. Morning or afternoon. And I don’t see his car right now.”

“Maybe he’s behaving himself,” Pedone added.

“He and Jackson had a good visit on Saturday. I’m hoping that’s a step in the right direction.”

“There is something to be said for a good father/son relationship.”

“I agree. Mitchel’s dad died when he was only ten, so he never really had much of an opportunity to bond with him. Do you have any kids?” Colleen asked. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

“No problem. I have a son who’s a freshman in college.” It was his turn to clear his throat. “My wife and I—I should say my ex-wife and I—divorced when he was thirteen. But we were civil and made sure we did whatever was necessary to make sure Drew had a normal upbringing. As normal as you can, with divorced parents.”

“I could probably use some tips in that field.” Colleen was relieved to hear that the man wasn’t married. Or had he remarried? “So you’ve been divorced five years?”

“Give or take. It was my job as a cop that got to her. She didn’t like it if I was called away to a scene when I was supposed to be off duty.”

“That can be tough.”

“Well, it isn’t like Hibbing is the crime capital of Missouri,” he said, chuckling.

“True.”

“I think she just used it as an excuse. We got married straight out of high school. Right after I graduated from the academy, we had Drew. I think that after she turned thirty, she felt like she had missed something in her life and started to get restless. I don’t know. But enough about me.”

“Oh, that’s all right. We seem to have something in common.”

“What’s that?”

“Divorce,” Colleen sputtered. She had made up her mind. It was time to cut Mitchel loose. Or maybe herself.

“You’re planning on filing?”

“Yes. As soon as the hearing is over. I don’t want too many legal messes happening at the same time.”

“Good thinkin’,” Pedone said.

“I’d better get going and make sure Jackson is ready for school.”

“You betcha. See you around four. Enjoy your day, Colleen.” There, he said it. Her first name.

Colleen was all atwitter. She almost felt foolish. Was this normal behavior? Does every woman fall for the man who she thinks saved her? She shrugged, then smiled. At the moment, it didn’t matter. She felt safe, and she was moving forward.

“Jackson? Ready?”

“Yes, Mom.” Jackson came running out of his room. “Is it OK if I go to Ms. Bowman’s after I finish my homework?”

“Are you sure you’re not making a pest of yourself?” Colleen squatted down and looked him in the eye.

“Gee, I