Beyond Suspicion by Catherine A. Winn

to the wall then smashed all her clothes against it. On the floor she saw her watercolor paint box. She kneeled down and opened it. The unfinished lake scene seemed cold and forgotten. She took it out and folded the thick paper until it was small enough to toss in the trash. Afterward she fingered the paints. She’d probably never get another chance to work with a visiting artist but at least she’d have work in the art show. Like that was important now? Josh is gone!
    She shut the case and put it at the very back of her closet in front of the glass palette propped against the wall. Most people used fancy artist’s palettes or special paper but Shelby had read where a well-known artist liked the smoothness of glass. Her mom drove Shelby to a lumber company where she asked for a piece of safety glass to be cut in a fifteen-inch square. Then she brought it home and wrapped the edges with masking tape. It had been the perfect palette, easy to mix paints and easier to clean. She tested it to make sure it wouldn’t fall, then she tucked her portable easel against them both and straightened her shoes. Now there was room for her grandparents’ things. Shelby made the bed with the yellow sheets, and when everything was finished, she sank to the floor and cried.

Eleven
    Just before noon Roger tapped on her door. “Shelby, would you like a grilled cheese sandwich?”
    â€œNo, thanks, I’m not very hungry. I’ll get something later.”
    â€œOkay.” He opened the door just enough to lean his head inside. “Your mother told me about Valerie.” His unshaven face was haggard and drawn. “Shelby, everything will be okay. We’ll get Josh back and they’ll see how wrong they were.”
    â€œThanks, Roger, and…well…I’m sorry about the park thing and making you and Mom worry. I’m not going to do anything like that again.” Unless I have to .
    â€œThat means a lot to both of us.” Roger gave her a brief half-smile before closing the door.
    His footsteps faded down the hall. It was strange how she seemed to be getting closer to him while at the same time her friends were deserting her. If anyone had a right to act that way, he did.
    She slid her glasses on and picked up her cell, then scooted back to lean against the pillows. Rachel hadn’t texted or called since the warning about the Net. Would she get the same reaction from Rachel’s mother? She needed to know, one way or another.
    I can’t talk to Val anymore. How about u?
    Shelby’s hand jerked as the cell rang. It wasn’t a number that she recognized. It might be one of those nuts from the net.
    â€œHello?”
    â€œHi, is everything okay over there? I mean with your folks? Are you okay?”
    Matt. Shelby felt a surge of emotion. He actually cared, just when she needed to talk to someone so much.
    â€œYes, they’re fine,” she said.
    â€œWhat about you?”
    â€œI’m okay. I just wish I had more than a learner’s permit so I could get out and find the van myself. I know I’d recognize it if I saw it.”
    â€œIt would take forever for one person to search, Shelby. The police are doing all they can. Besides, they’re probably miles from here by now.”
    She swung her legs over to sit on the side of the bed. “I know, but I’d still like to try. I can’t sit here and do nothing while Josh is missing.”
    â€œI could keep my eyes open driving around and if I spotted anything, I could tell you.”
    â€œWhat if we drove around together? I’m the one who can recognize it. I’ll even pay for the gas.”
    â€œI don’t think your folks would let you.”
    Shelby stifled an exasperated sigh and pushed harder. “Matt, it’s so hard waiting and not doing anything! Knowing the police aren’t doing anything either. Detective Rutherford is such a lousy cop.”
    â€œI don’t think so.