Judging Joey (13 page)

Speaking of the old apple tree, Madeline’s eyes narrowed as she spotted Vanessa skulking near the back entrance of the auditorium.
Now
what was Vanessa up to? Madeline clenched her jaw, determined that she had to go and find out.

Madeline called into the bathroom again. “Harold, are you okay?” She heard the sink running. “You’re not playing with the water, are you? Hurry up, please.” Unfortunately she couldn’t go in and check.

She looked up and down the hallway, hoping a male teacher would pass by who could go in and check on Harold. No such luck. She had to find out what Vanessa was doing. She had no business being back there.

Harold came out of the bathroom, his hands dripping wet, his sleeves soaked. She frowned and put her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “Stay here,” she ordered and knowing there were no other boys in the boys’ room, she went inside to grab some paper towels. She wiped off Harold’s hands and dried his arms as best she could then tossed the paper towels into the bathroom’s waste can.

“Come on,” she said in her
I’m very disappointed in your behavior
tone. Madeline took Harold’s hand and delivered him back to his seat in the auditorium. She heard Joey’s very deep and masculine voice say to one of the older children who was helping to act out a scenario on stage, “Hey, little girl, I have some cool candy for you. Why don’t you come with me? It’s right over there in my car.”

The fourth grader yelled, “No, I don’t know you!” and pretended to run away.

Madeline felt a rush of heat when she looked up at Joey and saw that he was staring right at her. A slow grin appeared on his face. Madeline blushed at the attention.

She leaned over to Sabrina. “I’ll be right back. I have to check something out.”

Sabrina gave her a confused look, but thankfully just nodded.

Madeline didn’t want to have to explain that she was on her way to investigate Vanessa’s sneaking about.

Madeline raced back down the hallway as quietly as possible, afraid that she would lose sight of Vanessa. Of course, Madeline didn’t want Vanessa to notice her either so she tiptoed and peeked around the corner before pressing on toward the stage door.

The old heavy door creaked as she opened it. Madeline let out a small gasp, hoping no one heard her. She hesitated before stepping into the darkness and allowed her eyes to grow accustomed to the faint light coming from stage.

She squinted and surveyed the back of the stage, following the aged gray curtains the length of the hardwood floors. The second set of curtains, which hid her and probably Vanessa from the audience, swayed. Nothing else moved. She shifted forward and stumbled over some equipment left on the ground. She grabbed on to the only thing in front of her that could save her from falling. Her hand wrapped around a rough rope-like cord, which she instantly realized to be the mechanism used to open the back curtains.

Too late. She cringed as her body catapulted ahead yanking the cord with her weight. Her hair flew into her face and mouth, her shoulder twisted unnaturally. Pain shot through her arm and into her neck.

Grateful that she hadn’t done a belly flop, she steadied herself before releasing the cord. She rubbed her shoulder and blew the hair out of her mouth. It was then that she realized she wasn’t alone. Joey and the entire center stage stared at her.

Amusement registered in his expression. “Look, boys and girls, one of your favorite teachers has volunteered to assist me.”

As the audience broke into a loud applause, Joey gestured for her to come forward. She shook her head, getting the distinct impression she looked like a deer in headlights. She flushed and feared if he commanded her out on stage, she’d bear an uncanny resemblance to Rudolph himself. She shook her head again like one of her first graders who didn’t want to do something.

Joey held out his hand, his eyes bright and inviting, his voice warm and caressing. “Come on, Miss White. Don’t be shy.”

To avoid being further humiliated, she stepped forward, but refused to hold his hand. He covered the mike, and whispered, “Couldn’t stand to be away from me I see. I missed you, too.”

“When are you going to grow up?” she hissed, more from pain and embarrassment than actually being mad at him. But the words continued to fly out. “Not everything’s about you. I have good reason to be here. And now I have a bruised toe and a shooting pain in my arm for my efforts.”

Madeline regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth, but it was too late. She didn’t intend to be so hurtful. He was just trying to be nice to her, and she was being awful to him. And after what he had said to her in her living room. This whole situation with Vanessa was too stressful for her to handle. And now she was taking it out on Joey.

His eyes darkened and his jaw tightened. “Okay, Miss White. For whatever reason, you’re on stage in the middle of my assembly. So for the kids’ sake, can
you
be a grown up and play along nicely?”

So now he was throwing her own words back at her? She grabbed the mike from him with an icy glare. “Sorry, boys and girls. I got lost. Should I ask this officer in his policeman uniform for help?” She shielded her eyes with her hand pretending to look into the distance. Then pointed to a plain-clothed officer sitting in a car prop to the left of the stage. “Or should I ask that man over there sitting in his car?”

The whole audience pointed to Joey and shouted, “Officer O’Neill!” She peered over at him, the hurt expression gone, and it appeared, for now, they had made a truce.

The assembly soon ended and she led her students back to the classroom. Vanessa stood braced against the locked door, wearing a sour expression. Madeline reached for the key that dangled on her neck, glad she’d had the sense to lock it before she had left earlier.

“Mrs. Booth, what can I do for you?”

Vanessa’s eyes turned into slits. “I came to help you and the kids paint pumpkins. I spoke to Caitlin a day or so ago and figured it must have slipped your mind to ask me for my assistance. After all, I’m a class mother, too.”

Oh brother
, Madeline thought as she escorted her students inside. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched them take their seats, but turned to Vanessa.

“Yes, of course. It’s so nice of you to come and help. Actually I’m glad you’re here. I was going to call you later on during my prep.” Madeline dug her nails into her palms. “There’s been an incident.”

“What kind of incident?”

“One of the students brought in a handheld video game and said that Derrick took it from him.”

Vanessa crossed her arms. “Caitlin said as much. It’s not true, of course. My Derrick would
never
steal.”

“No one is accusing Derrick of stealing, but maybe he thought he could borrow it, or perhaps he took it by accident? Would you mind asking Derrick about it and checking his backpack?”

Leaning over her, her tone like a snow cone, sweet, yet ice cold, Vanessa said, “Derrick does not have Christopher’s game. Period. Now let’s not keep the children waiting another minute. They’ve been more than patient. So have I.”

Vanessa swooped into the classroom and began to hand out the pumpkins waiting to be painted on the back table. Caitlin rushed up behind Madeline, causing an unexpected whirlwind.

“Sorry I’m late. Kylie’s teeth were really bothering her this morning. I had to stop at the pharmacy to get more baby teething medicine so my mom would get some peace while watching her.” Caitlin narrowed her eyes. “What’s she doing here?” she demanded.

“She just showed up. Said she talked to you about it.” Madeline tried not to look sheepish, although she doubted she was successful. She made a mental note to ask Sabrina for some more pointers. Sabrina had the teacher look down pat. Despite her young age, Sabrina could get her authoritative point across to both students and parents without saying a word. And no one thought her unpleasant. Everyone respected and genuinely liked Sabrina.

Caitlin crooked her pointer finger and signaled for Madeline to step outside. “I called her about the video game. I must have mentioned I’d be here today helping you and she must have taken that as an invitation. Of course she denies that Derrick has the game.”

Madeline nodded. “I asked her about it, too. I got the same response.”

Vanessa was nearly finished handing out the pumpkins.

“I have newspaper to put down on the desks,” Madeline said.

“I’ll get it.
Cruella
there will have them making a mess and then she’ll leave the clean up for me,” Caitlin whispered for Madeline’s ears only, and then flew to the back table to gather the paper before Vanessa could do more damage.

Madeline was about to get the paints when she saw a mass of dark-blue storm down the hall. Alex gave a curt wave, then turned the corner, and Joey headed straight for Madeline. He drew closer in a determined stride, fists clenched at his side.

“The Halloween Safety Bags we were giving the kids are gone. Disappeared. Did you see anybody take them?” Joey growled out the accusation and directed it at her. He glanced sharply around, then with eyes blazing, he peered into her as if trying to get a glimpse into her soul.

Madeline stood motionless, shocked at his harsh words. She ran her tongue across her dry lips allowing only that thin hint of her nervousness. She had never seen this side of him. His whole demeanor had shifted from golden boy jokester to the severe seriousness of a determined police officer on duty. She found his tone both intrigued and infuriated her.

His dark brows drew together in an angry line. “Well, Miss White? I’m waiting.”

Chapter 12

Madeline’s jaw tightened. She peeked over her shoulder into her classroom and then back at him.

She knows something.

Joey was as sure of that as the fact that his ex-girlfriend, Amber, couldn’t ski.

He pressed her for more information. “The bags were on the back of the stage where you were creeping around.”

“I wasn’t creeping.” She folded her arms against her chest.

He cocked his head at her evasiveness. “What were you doing then? You were supposed to be with your class, but the whole school saw you stumble onto the stage.”

Again she peered over her shoulder. What was so damn important in there that drew her attention? All he saw were a bunch of kids wearing smocks and painting pumpkins. His sister and Vanessa were assisting them.

He grimaced at the sight of Vanessa, pretending to be Mother of the Year. He had always had his doubts about her and they were growing into serious suspicions. In his line of work he saw plenty of mothers who made excuses for their children’s bad behavior. He wondered what Vanessa had said when confronted with the hard truth that her boy had stolen Christopher’s game. He’d have to ask Maddie about that later. For now, things seemed to be going smoothly in the classroom. So why couldn’t Maddie take a minute to look him in the eye and tell him the truth?

It was a rhetorical question. He knew the answer. She was keeping something from him. What he wanted to know was what and why.

“They’re fine. Now answer my question.” His words tore her away from the door and the distractions in her class. What do you know about the Safety Bags? There were about four hundred of them filled with coloring books, crayons, and reflective stickers. They didn’t walk off by themselves. They had help. Now who helped them?”

She shuddered and ran her hands down her arms as if she were cold. “What makes you think I know?”

“Joey! Officer O’Neill!”

Joey turned around to see Roger scurrying down the hall. He wore a satisfied look on his face, as if his day was going well. Joey wished he could say the same.

“How many classes have you spoken to?” Roger asked with a bright smile.

“None. We have a problem. The Safety Bags we promised the kids at the assembly have disappeared. They were in boxes on the stage and now they’re missing. I thought Miss White might have seen them since she was on the stage.”

Roger studied Maddie. “Miss White?”

She stood frozen, her mouth slightly parted as if she wanted to say something, but couldn’t, and suddenly all Joey could think of at that moment was kissing her. A jolt of shock ran through him. Although he had already had the pleasure of those thoughts, he always prided himself on separating business from personal issues. And he never mixed the two. That is until right now. His mind shifted back to his job in an instant when her already pale skin drained of all color, and he felt as if a bucket of cold water was thrown on him. She was guilty of something.

“Miss White, if you know about the bags or saw someone take them, you must speak up. The children will be so disappointed if they don’t get the gifts promised to them.”

When she didn’t respond, Roger grew visibly irritated. “What were you doing on the stage and why weren’t you supervising your class?”

Joey could see her gulp and he sensed her anxiety. Part of him wanted to protect Maddie from Roger’s badgering, part of him wanted to shake out of her what she knew, and part of him still wanted to kiss her full lips, swollen red from her biting down on them.

She sighed and looked close to tears. “Harold needed to go to the bathroom and since he can’t be trusted to go with another student I had to take him. I asked Sabrina to watch my class.”

Roger nodded. “Makes sense. Go on.”

She hesitated. “Well . . . I saw someone lurking by the stage door. Someone who didn’t need to be there. So I took Harold back to the assembly and went to investigate.”

“Who was it?” Roger demanded. “Everyone should have been at the assembly. Except the office, kitchen, and custodial staff, of course.”

Maddie hesitated again and at first Joey thought she was about to defy her boss’s orders and refuse to tell him. Then a hoarse voice he hardly recognized emerged from her lips.

“Could we speak in private? I don’t feel comfortable speaking about this here.”

“Miss White, I’m sure you can speak freely in front of Officer O’Neill.”

“No, it’s not that. I’d rather not speak
here
.” She shot a worried glance into her classroom.

Roger nodded. “We’ll speak in my office. I’ll have someone cover your class.”

A few minutes later, after finding a teacher on her prep period able to cover Maddie’s class, Joey found himself sitting in a chair across from the principal’s desk, the door closed behind them. The uniform, badge, and gun in his holster did little to shield him from remembering the time back in high school when he and some of his football friends got caught sneaking prohibited beverages into the locker rooms for an ‘after the big win’ celebration.

He, being the captain, and Scott, the one who actually brought in the beverages, had sat and faced an angry principal just like now. He should have known better back then, but didn’t. After that, he sort of dissed Scott. Recognized him for being trouble. Maybe that was why Scott had pulled that prank on Maddie and her friend. Maybe to get back at
him
, and Maddie just happened to be convenient.

Things were different now. He wasn’t the one in trouble. In fact, now he was the one who wanted answers. Still, he couldn’t help feeling guilty. He could see how upsetting this was for Maddie. So he sat in the brown leather chair that matched hers and waited.

“Miss White, you have our undivided attention. Please tell us who it was you saw by the stage door.” Roger wore a compassionate expression.

“Vanessa Booth,” she said.

Joey frowned and worked his jaw, but said nothing at the interesting development. He took the information and let it twist and turn creating several possible paths for it to take. Roger must have been doing exactly the same because he remained silent. A moment later, Joey chose two probable roads and discarded the rest. Either Maddie or Vanessa was a liar.

Roger sat upright. Then he wrinkled his forehead. “I don’t understand. You must be mistaken.”

Maddie shook her head. “No, sir. I’m not mistaken. I saw her.”

“Okay, let’s say you did. She’s a member of the board. Perhaps she was checking on something. It’s not unusual for Board of Education members to walk in the building.”

Joey’s patience began to wane. Whatever he felt for Maddie didn’t take precedence over disappointing nearly four hundred kids. He couldn’t let them down. “I believe Miss White said Mrs. Booth was lurking. Not walking. If someone stole those bags, maybe I can apprehend them. If they got misplaced, maybe we can find them before the end of the day. We can’t replace them.” He directed his next words to Maddie. “There’s more to the story. Out with it already.”

She glared at him, but softened when she spoke to Roger. “It’s true. There’s more, and I don’t know how to explain. First, Mr. Denby, please let me say how much I love working here. And I’m terrified that what I know is going to jeopardize my chances of being rehired. But I respect you and I’m sure that you’ll take the information and know what to do.”

Roger leaned his wrists on his desk. “I appreciate your candor. Please . . .” He made a gesture for her to continue.

Joey leaned in, curious. She told Roger about her picture frame and date book disappearing and then reappearing in another location. Roger shook it off as a prank. “Some of the sixth graders, I suspect. We caught a trio of them writing graffiti on the back of the building at the Fall Carnival. They also sprayed that Silly String stuff in their teacher’s room.

Maddie’s eyes widened, so much so she looked like one of those dolls Kylie had. “I hadn’t heard that.”

“We kept it hush-hush. Spoke with the parents first and instead of pressing charges, we all agreed they would come in and clean up the mess they made. Which they did that Saturday. Lesson learned, I hope. Sorry to hear about your items, but at least they turned up. No harm, no foul.”

Joey could see Maddie biting her lip again. He knew she didn’t want to argue with her principal, but obviously she didn’t believe the pranksters had taken her things. “There’s more, isn’t there, Maddie?” he asked quietly.

She nodded, no longer giving him the evil eye. “There were some supplies missing. Glue sticks, pencils.”

“Yes, they all turned up. Misplaced.” Roger slipped back in his chair.

“No, I think they were taken and put back elsewhere. Deliberately.”

“By whom?”

“Mrs. Booth.”

Roger sat back up. “Why would you say such a thing? She’s a pillar of our community. A board member.”

“I know. And she’s a close friend of yours.”

“She’s the wife of a close friend, but that’s neither here nor there. Do you have some sort of proof?”

“I saw her.”

“You saw Vanessa Booth go into the supply closet and walk out with glue sticks and pencils?” Roger asked incredulously.

“Not exactly. I knew they were missing and saw her with a shopping bag of pencils. She knows I saw. That’s why I think she put them back or maybe she would have anyway.”

“Why on earth would she, a board member, a class mother, who has more money than she knows what to do with, need to steal glue and pencils?”

“And don’t forget, Maddie’s datebook and picture frame,” Joey couldn’t help but point out.

“You’re accusing her of that, too? It’s ridiculous!” Roger sliced his hands through the air.

“She was the last one in my room. I told her to close the door behind her when she left. Then my things were missing.” Maddie wrung her hands in her lap. “I know what I saw.”

Roger rubbed a hand over his balding head. “Miss White . . .” His voice grew sympathetic. “Madeline, surely you think you saw something. But it can all be explained. You didn’t actually see her taking anything. Maybe she found the pencils and was putting them back.”

“Then why didn’t she put them back where they belonged or give them to the office?” Joey wondered aloud. He wasn’t going to let Vanessa off the hook as easily as Roger seemed to want to.

“There’s a logical explanation. There has to be. And for Vanessa being near the back stage as well. I’m sure if I just asked her—”

“No!
Please
.” Maddie’s voice was panic-stricken. “If she knows I said anything to you, she’ll make sure I don’t get rehired next year. She’s already mad at me for practically accusing her son of being a thief.”

“Madeline, you’re not making sense. I’ve known Vanessa for years. I’ve known her husband since grade school. They are very well off. She has no reason to steal. Especially things like picture frames and pencils. And what’s this about Derrick?”

“My nephew brought in his brand-new video game to school and said that Derrick took it from him and wouldn’t give it back,” Joey cut in. “Caitlin spoke to Vanessa. Vanessa denied her son had anything to do with it. From what Maddie just said, I’m assuming she got the same treatment. Roger, maybe there’s something to what Maddie claims.”

“Let’s say for a moment I entertain this idea. Why would she do such a thing? Risk her reputation? Her position on the board?”

“Not to mention being arrested?” Joey said.

“We think she is a kleptomaniac,” Madeline chimed in.

“Kleptomaniac? Preposterous! And who’s
we
?”

“Well, Sabrina and me. And my Uncle Mark’s friend Laura. And kleptomania is rare, but possible. Or she could have an obsessive-compulsive disorder. She’s overly thin. Maybe she obsessively counts every calorie. Everyone knows she redecorates her house constantly. Sometimes, something triggers it. Has she had a traumatic event recently?” Madeline sat up straighter, her eyes brighter.

“You told this silly story to other people? I believe you’ve committed slander, Miss White.” He looked at Joey for confirmation.

“Only if it’s done with malicious intentions, Roger. And I think Maddie believes what she’s saying. I’m guessing she needed to tell someone, so she turned to her best friend and family.”

Madeline nodded, her eyes wide, as if she couldn’t accept that he understood her. And why wouldn’t he? Family and friends were his foundation, who he’d confide in. Besides, he knew enough about women to know they need to talk out their feelings. Maddie would be no different.

“Sabrina’s not only my BFF, she’s my mentor. Whatever I say to her, she’s supposed to keep confidential. At least from a moral stand point. And Laura’s been our next-door neighbor for forever and she was a family therapist before she retired. I tried to hide it from them, but they could see how upset I’ve been.”

“What do you think? Your family has known her for years, too. Is she capable of such things?” Roger asked Joey.

“I think it’s fair to say my family does not hold Vanessa in the highest regard,” Joey said, choosing his words carefully thanks to years of hearing lawyer-speak.

Madeline was regarding him warily. “And why is that?”

“After that whole party incident, they didn’t trust her anymore,” Joey said, thinking it an obvious reason as to why his parents had cut off ties with their old friends. “My dad was beside himself and was really hurt by the betrayal. They were mainly his friends, not the rest of ours.”

“What are you talking about? How was Vanessa involved with the party?” Madeline’s eyes widened and she sat up taller.

Joey took in her surprised expression. Either she was a good actress or she truly had no idea. The cop in him had to test her. He had to know if she knew Vanessa’s history. If she didn’t, then she was an innocent bystander like the rest of them. But if she did, then maybe she was involved with the missing supplies and she was playing them all. Something twisted in his gut. Maybe Scott was telling the truth all those years ago and Maddie did steal his mother’s brooch. If that were the case, no matter how attracted he was to her, he would not let her get away with it this time. “What’s the name of Vanessa’s son?”