Dead, Actually Part 13

Chapter Eleven.

Maybe metaphorically hitting back at JoJo did some good, because the next morning she finally came through with something. Not much but then again, it could cut our job in half. If she was telling the truth, and if she was actually remembering the right things. I wanted to trust her, but so far she hadnt given me a whole lot of reason to do so.

Wed ignored each other all morning, but she called to me just as I was leaving my room for my jog. Or should I say, 'our room.

I didnt even try to hide my sigh. 'Is it important? I paused. Actually, the quip that came to mind was 'Is it life and death? Oh, I guess its too late for that. But, I dont know blame my weariness with the whole situation, but I just went easier on her.

She was frowning; concentrating. 'I think its a girl. Then as quickly as shed spat out the words, she clammed up again.

'What? Thats it? Still she said nothing. And it was obvious that was it.

A girl? Since JoJo hadnt given birth, I a.s.sumed she meant the Manic Messenger was female.

Great!

Maybe . . .

Outside, minutes later, my head reeled. Frustration pushed me to go harder than I should have. My Nikes. .h.i.t the pavement with a rhythmic thud that morphed into a m.u.f.fled squelch as I moved onto the sand. I loved running. What other girls in my year got out of a facial or a hot-rock ma.s.sage, I got out of running. The sun beat down, warming my skin; transforming the ocean into a starburst of sparkling diamonds that showered me with a fine mist each time a wave crashed onto the sh.o.r.e. It cleared my head, it centred me; it gave me perspective. Usually. And after the run last night, Id expected a reasonable result.

But today all I felt was the burn of muscles that protested at being dragged through the soft sand. The whole time I ran I focussed on JoJos words. A girl . . . The more I thought about it, the more sense that made. I mean, JoJo thought the person who had the phone was a girl. Truly, this was really more of a girl crime. Like, would guys actually be bothered? If it didnt involve their d.i.c.ks then they probably wouldnt even care. Theyd be like: 'Shes dead. Good.

So, for arguments sake, if it wasnt a guy then that only left . . . the Angels. Which in a way was no big revelation. I mean, my snooping such as it was had really only involved the Angels, so maybe subconsciously I was already at that point.

But what if JoJo didnt know what she was talking about? It wasnt like shed come up with anything else that was helpful.

Eight kilometres later, and back in my own driveway, I still hadnt moved past the problems piled in my overflowing inbox.

It was lunchtime before Seth called. As much as I wanted to share the news of JoJos revelation, I hadnt ha.s.sled him because I knew hed want to spend time with his dad. I also knew Macey would be juggling the mixed emotions of elation over her blog news and surfing a downer for a few days because her dad was leaving again, so I hadnt gone there either. Avoiding the folks and Simon seemed a good idea as well, so I went out and helped Carlos pull weeds for a couple of hours.

Seth picked me up and I surprised him with a hug. His eyes searched mine, but I was pleased to see there was no terror lurking in his.

'Dont ask. Its just good to see a friendly face.

He nodded, but he did keep shooting me little sideways glances as we drove to Kristies out on Paradise Island. I didnt bother explaining; I wasnt p.i.s.sed off so much as I was just kind of down, but I had to hand it to him, he was a great distraction. Especially when he put his mind to it.

When I caught one of those darting looks, he grinned back, one eyebrow raised as he said, 'Youre looking really hot, Wills. The cute smile got cheekier. 'I mean, not that you dont usually look good, but . . .

I grinned back. 'Just that sometimes I look like a dog?

'No! His eyes crinkled and the grin became a chuckle. 'You always look hot, its just that today you even look hotter.

'Yeah? Thanks! And as he stared at me, that familiar tingle started working its way up my body. Nice.

So Seth liked my outfit? As my blood turned to warmed honey, I tried to swallow the little smile of contentment that was sooo trying to break out. Blame JoJo, but I had gone to a bit more effort her no-touching point had been clear. She thought I was a fashion-challenged scrag, and while those things would never worry me as much as it did her, it did p.r.i.c.k a sense of pride. Feeling good, I looked down over the tight, straight, gold-and-brown ta.s.selled mini made from some Indian fibres that sparkled in the sun. The boutique Id brought it from had teamed it with this bright-yellow ruched b.o.o.b tube, so it had made sense to get that as well. And I had to admit the topaz, beaded gladiator sandals Macey had picked to go with the outfit were perfect, both in colour and style. Id straightened my hair and matched my makeup to my outfit, finishing with some bronzey lip-gloss.

For once I felt professionally put together and when every other part of me was falling apart, that really helped in a weird way. Like the glue or the wrapping holding it all in place.

I felt myself relaxing and we talked about his dad for a while and I avoided telling him about mine. Easier that way. But I did tell him what JoJo had said. Seth nodded. He totally got the girl thing. It made sense to him as well, and while we couldnt rule out the guys completely, we agreed to focus on the girls first.

We werent far from the house when I remembered what else Id needed to ask Seth. 'Hey, did you bring my phone?

He shot me a frown before turning back to the road. 'I havent got your phone, Wills.

His frown was catching. 'No, seriously, I argued. 'You put it in your pocket yesterday when we were getting off the boat. Remember?

'No, seriously, he imitated, 'I didnt. I was going to. Remember? And then you took it back and shoved it in your bag.

The scene played back slowly. He was right. I had put it in my bag; thered been a bit of a crush as we alighted. Someone had b.u.mped me and thats why Id thought it was safer in my bag. So why wasnt it there when I looked last night? Mentally I shook myself. Itd turn up; Id probably dumped it down somewhere and couldnt remember.

But . . . 'So, I didnt leave it at your house?

He shook his head. 'There was nothing left on the table and thats the only place we were.

Okay, it was at home. But then, why hadnt Suzy picked it up? She was pretty n.a.z.i about the tidy thing which I secretly loved. So where? Stop! I had to stop; my head already felt like a maze, and really? On the Richter scale of drama in Willow Cartwrights life, the lost phone scored about a one. I decided to forget it Id find it when I got home later.

Which was a good decision, considering wed arrived. Kristies house was big and right on the ca.n.a.l. It was one of the originals built on the Island, so it still had that sixties look about it that most of the neighbours had remodelled out. There was a sombre feeling to the house; dark and subdued, in total contrast to the gleaming sunshine that almost demanded that everything sparkle. While we waited for the door to be opened I thought about Kristie. What was her story? She was pretty wild and out there and yet . . .

The door was answered almost immediately by a person I a.s.sumed was Kristies grandmother until Seth addressed her as Kristies mother! Wow. Headspin. Absolutely, totally nothing like Id expected. Mrs Negerson was kind of old-looking and frumpy, yet when I looked closely at her face I figured she wasnt that much older than Mimi. Maybe five years or so.

It was her clothes and hair that threw me. No makeup or hair colour here, just dull brown, with grey that was seeping through to form this band around her hairline and face, giving the illusion of someone older than she was. The rest of her hair was pulled back in a really tight bun, and she wore this flowery-print, shapeless dress. Surprise hardly covered it. This was the GC; upper-cla.s.s GC. In the world of tans, tyc.o.o.ns and tinsel, she was a standout.

I noticed she was giving me the once-over as well. And she wasnt impressed, which was totally weird given that compared to Kristie Id probably be called conservative! Or maybe the disapproval was Seths hand resting on my bare shoulder. His very warm hand on my very bare flesh . . .

She spoke precisely and didnt really smile much, even though she was saying all the right words to make us welcome. Funnily enough, she was achieving the exact opposite. One glance at Seth told me he was feeling the same like we were in some sacred place where one unexpected sound would bring the whole place tumbling down over us.

Creepy was the word, which was crazy considering the place was all clean and neat. The furniture was heavy and old-fashioned, not typical GC style, and there was all this really ugly stuff on walls and in the dark wood units.

Museum! It hit me thats what this place was like. A museum. Probably this stuff was worth a fortune, which was way too much to pay for the nightmares it would give me.

'Ill just call Kristie; shes studying. She paused on her way towards the staircase. 'I must say, its nice to meet some of her friends she doesnt have many people call around. However, I would have imagined you two would be studying as well. Exams are only a few weeks away, so Im sure youll have to be on your way soon.

And she wonders why Kristie doesnt have people around?

I was about to whisper those words but then someone else walked in and the words stalled. Id thought Mrs Negerson was a surprise, but that was nothing. This was more than a headspin; this was a total head rotation. In fact, I was actually sooo close to asking the girl in front of us to identify herself and perhaps my response hinted at that.

'Kristie? Kristie who always had everything hanging out?

The girl in front of us nodded, though her eyes were having trouble meeting ours. Hey, not that I blamed her my eyes were so not helping! Man, they were everywhere; I didnt know what to look at first. The really ugly below-the-knee-length, flowery full skirt? The baggy, high-necked T that covered e-ver-y-thing? The ugliest chunky leather sandals I had ever seen? I looked more closely. No makeup. No nails. No jewellery, and what was with her hair? More obviously, what was with her b.o.o.bs? It was like theyd deflated! Majorly!

She bore almost no resemblance to the Kristie we knew and when I finally caught her eye, I realised how hard this was on her. Id told Seth yesterday she was a fake, but Id had no idea just how true that was.

But the big question was why?

'Um, is there somewhere we can talk? I whispered, because it seemed the thing to do in this mausoleum.

She took a peek over her shoulder and led us out through some heavy doors and into a side garden. I noticed there were no windows on this side of the house, and it was blocked off from the water by a high wall and maybe thats why we went there. No one could hide and listen to conversations and I figured Mrs Negerson would be very good at that.

The garden was very protected, like a little haven, and Seth nabbed one of the two chairs sitting at the matching wrought-iron table and dragged me onto his knee so there was a free one for Kristie. By now her face was even tighter, and she looked almost green.

'So, how did you find out? Her voice was clipped.

Wow. We hadnt even had to use the bracelet thing. I shook my head. 'Find out?

Her laugh was low and not really what youd call a jolly sound. 'Dont try to scam me, Willow. Obviously youre the one with the phone; everyone was right after all. Her eyes slid behind me. 'I didnt realise you were in on it too, Seth youd be the last person Id expect to be involved in . . . blackmail. She paused and her breathing was really fast and loud like she was going to have an asthma attack or something. 'But then I didnt realise you two had a thing.

I put my hand out to snag hers. 'Kristie- 'Cut the bull, Willow. She dragged her hand away from mine. 'Just tell me what you want. I mean, that has to be the reason youre here, right? Now she was starting to sound hysterical.

'What if we said we wont spill the beans if you help us? That was Seth, and I tried not to look surprised, because I figured this was some plan in action. Like, we couldnt spill the beans because we didnt know what the beans were! Although, maybe we could guess . . .

Still the hysteria but quieter hysteria. More controlled. 'And you think thats any different to what JoJo asked? Come on, Seth, at least be original.

I jumped in, but I had to tread carefully here. 'Were not going to blackmail you about your family situation. Obviously there are two Kristies, but, like, thats hardly a crime and youre not the only person with strict parents. Next year youll go away to uni and then you can do whatever. So, whats the big deal?

Her laugh was still no happier. 'Oh, so youll just blackmail me on the High Five Club stuff, right? Big of you.

High Five Club? I twisted to Seth but he gave me a no-clue look and I quickly turned back to Kristie. Now there were tears in her eyes, real tears, and I honestly could not torture her any longer, because thats what we were doing. We hadnt meant to, but thats how itd worked out.

This time I grabbed her hands and held them tight. What I was planning was a gamble, because if she was just scamming us back, and she was the one, then I was about to blow it all. But somehow those tears seemed too real.

'Kristie, listen to me. I dont have the phone and neither does Seth. Were not here to blackmail you. All we want to do is find out whos doing all this stuff. But we need your help. Please, you have to tell us what you know. We just want this to stop.

For a long moment she stared at us, relief and fear taking turns in her expression. 'How do I know I can trust you?

'You dont. Youre just going to have to take a leap of faith. I promise you, were not going to hurt you.

Kristie rocked back in her chair and Seth leaned forward, his eyebrows raised. Would it work? Finally she slumped forward and blew out a long sigh. 'Well, either youre just going to con me like she did or youre going to help me. Worst case scenario, Ill probably be no worse off.

She seemed to be trying to pull herself together, so I gave her s.p.a.ce by looking around the old-fashioned courtyard. 'Didnt any of the other girls ever suspect you were different?

'No. She pulled out a fresh tissue and wiped it across her eyes. 'I never invited them here and I wasnt ever important enough for them to come and visit me. Or maybe JoJo controlled that. Who knows? I was lucky, I guess. As though rethinking her last words, she spat out a short, bitter laugh. 'Maybe.

Frowning, Seths eyes speared her. 'First of all, tell us about this High Five Club. Ive never heard any of the guys mention it.

She sniffed. 'You wouldnt have. It was a girls club. JoJo ran it. You could only be a member once youd actually had s.e.x with someone. In a way it wasnt as bad as it sounds like, it didnt mean that s.e.x was the focus. Just the entry requirement. JoJo called it a "step up the ladder of womanhood." Her voice cracked on the words. Then she drew in a breath and squared her shoulders. 'Theyre not nearly as tough as they pretend to be, and to be honest I always thought it was more about JoJo than anything else.

'How so? I asked.

She swiped a hand across her face and I scrambled in my bag for a tissue. 'Just a feeling. Theyre not all as s.e.xually active as they act, but JoJo kind of started before everyone else. At first, that put her on the outer the only one and I dont think she liked it. So, from what Ive picked up, she kind of encouraged the other girls to join her "status" by convincing them it was really cool. But, she paused and swiped away the rush of new tears, 'you see, thats where it got tricky, because . . . because . . . Her voice broke.

It all twigged. Kristie the fake; Kristie the try-hard. 'Because youre still a virgin?

She lowered her gaze, 'Yes.

Nothing made sense. 'So, whats the big deal? Im still a virgin like, its not a bad thing.

I felt Seths leg start to jiggle at my proclamation and I wondered what was going through his mind. Surely it wasnt like this was news to him.

Kristie shook her head. 'It wasnt that. It was about being accepted. Weve always lived up here on The Coast, but I only transferred to RT High two years ago. Ive been to a few schools over the years. She shook her head again. 'What am I saying? A lot of schools. Every time my parents get their knickers in a twist about school policy or something equally lame, they yank me out and find me another school. She paused and pursed her lips. 'My mother isnt the easiest person to please. Anyway, the result was that Id never really had any friends; I never seemed to fit in anywhere.

'And JoJo took you in?

'Kind of, she answered, giving me a grim smile. 'At school with uniforms and everything, at least I looked like everyone else. Kind of. I smuggled in mascara, lip-gloss and stuff that Id put on at school, so Id fit in with the seniors. But I still didnt have friends. Then one day, JoJo saw me in the toilet block and I was holding a condom. A new one, sealed. She offered a stupid little laugh. 'Weird, huh? Id just picked it up off the floor, I wasnt even sure what it was at first, but she came in, saw me, and thought it was mine and, well then I got invited to the club.

Seth nodded while I tried to slow the steam coming out of my ears.

I went to speak but Kristie was on a roll. It was like wed opened a gate and all this stuff was suddenly pouring out of her; like shed been wanting to unload it for a long time. 'You see, for the first time, I belonged. And not just to any group I belonged to the really cool girls group. It was brilliant. I had friends cool friends! Parties . . . But, then things got a bit crazy. First JoJo found out I was still . . . you know, and threatened to tell everyone and Id be called a liar and probably kicked out of the club. And Id have no friends again. Then she caught me changing clothes one day at a shopping-centre toilet and she worked out that I wasnt as cool as I was pretending to be, either. Tears rolled down her cheeks. 'Then she had me from two angles. She was threatening to tell my friends Id lied, and threatening to tell my mother Id been having s.e.x, and well, youve met my mother. Of course it wasnt true, but it wasnt going to go down well. Especially when Id been telling all my new friends that I had. For me, it was a loselose.

My foot was tapping the gra.s.s, and I swear I dug a ditch with the speed and power I was using. JoJo was pure evil. 'What did she make you do?

'Lots of dumb stuff. Shoplift even though she didnt need the stuff. She didnt even want it. She picked clothes for me and made me wear them some I actually liked, they made me feel like I belonged, but some were really bad. I dont know, it was like she got off on the control. Kristie swallowed, a long slow action, like she was pushing down something huge and nasty. 'Then she died and I thought it was over . . .

'f.u.c.king b.i.t.c.h, Seth mumbled.

I agreed, yet I was plagued once again by a weird feeling that there was a clue here that I was missing . . .

Her tissue was crushed to a wet, soggy mess and I pushed the entire purse pack closer. 'Kristie, weve got to ask you something and you have to tell the truth. She nodded. 'Did you see JoJo on the day she died?

Her eyes looked frightened for a minute and then she sighed and nodded. 'Yeah. Id asked her to meet me somewhere, and she suggested that little park out near the hinterland turn-off. I was really surprised no one ever goes there, its really lame. It was why she was way out on that road. I kind of feel like it was my f- I squeezed her hand. 'Why were you going to meet her?

'Id had enough; I couldnt sleep or study and I told her I was going to come clean with everyone. But she just laughed.

'Do you know what happened when she died? Seth asked quietly.

Tears were now falling steadily. 'Afterwards I went through drive-thru and parked under a tree for a while to calm down. I was a mess. You see, I really was going to go home and clear it all up. Tell Mum. And then I went to the shopping centre and I got changed back into my home-gear; washed off my makeup . . . I came home the back way, not the same way JoJo took. So, that meeting was the last time I saw her. Id just pulled up at home when I got a call from Teahna. It was about JoJo.

'Kristie? I felt bad pushing her, but there were still things I was trying to get my head around. When she looked up, I pressed on, keeping it gentle; non-threatening. 'When we were on Demis boat like, why were you act- 'Acting? She dropped her head into her hands. 'Oh G.o.d. I didnt even do that well, did I? Stupid, just stupid. Her sigh was shaky. 'Truth? I guess Im just scared. Until I find out whos got the phone . . .

The last words had been forced out and we were having trouble hearing her properly. She sat there sobbing and I felt like an even bigger heel than before, but there was still one more question. Maybe the more important one.

'Kris, if you had to pick one of the Angels as the one whod most likely have the phone, who would it be?

She shook her head and tears scattered like raindrops. 'Any of them. Theyd all like to be the new JoJo . . . We waited. 'Maybe Demi or Teahna. They both want that position as leader of the Angels really badly. Especially Demi. She thought for a while. 'Chloe too, probably, but Teahna and Demi will fight harder for it.

When shed finished we waited as long as we could. I didnt want to leave her there; she just looked so lost. And she made another reason I wanted all this to end. I had a feeling the real Kristie was okay, deep down, and that she deserved better.

Lifes a b.i.t.c.h, you know?

She promised shed be okay, and we left promising we were going to do everything we could to make all this c.r.a.p go away.

Just as we reached the car, we were hit with surprise number two. Teahna pulling into the drive in her red BMW convertible. But our surprise didnt hold a candle to hers.

Her eyes narrowed and her look was wary as Seth led me to her car. 'Hey, Teahna. What are you doing out here?

'Well, dont you two look cosy. Her eyes slid away from ours and she shrugged. 'I just wanted to see Kristie. Id heard . . .