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than she looks.” Then she remembered the purpose of Allison’s dinner and grew serious. “I can’t cancel on her. Next week is the eighth of October.”
    Casey put her small hand on Jenna’s arm and squeezed gently. “I know what month it is,” she said softly. “That’s why I don’t want you staying home by yourself. It’s been two years since . . .”
    Jenna pulled her arm free, suddenly irritable. “Since Adam died. You can say the word. D-i-e-d. As you’ve pointed out, it’s been two years.
I’m
over it. I wish everyone else would be, too.”
    “I don’t think you are, but there’s nothing I can do about your being stuck in denial.”
    Jenna shoved her desk drawer closed with far more force than was necessary. “I’m not in denial,” she hissed. “Adam’s dead. I was there holding his hand when he breathed his last, two years ago October eighth. I am not in denial.”
    Casey set her lips in a firm line. “You’re only thirty. You need to start living your life again.”
    Jenna drew a careful breath. Counted to ten. Casey meant well. In fact, every one of her friends and family that told her to start living her life again meant well. “I have a very full life, Casey,” she said evenly. “I don’t need a steady stream of men on my arm to fill it any further.”
    “No, you don’t need a stream of men,” Casey agreed quietly. “One would be enough.”
    Jenna laughed, a hollow sound. “And I suppose you’re going to find him for me?”
    Casey just looked at her in that way that cut through every defensive layer Jenna possessed. “So how about dinner on Sunday night? Or Monday or Tuesday?”
    Jenna sighed. “You’re not going to give up, are you?” Casey’s smile was triumphant. “Nope.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “Italian. New place off Capitol. Be there at seven on Sunday?”
    Jenna didn’t need to check her calendar to know she was free. Sunday nights normally found her in bed by nine with a good suspense novel, her two dogs curled up beside her. Who knew? Maybe this friend of Ned’s would provide a pleasant evening of company. “Okay. But I’ll drive myself so I can leave when I want to.” Jenna glanced at her watch and grimaced. “Shit. Now I’m late. You go ahead and if you see anyone remotely resembling a parent in the lobby, pass by without a smile or a nod. Understand?”
    “Yeah. Spoilsport.” Casey started out the door, then turned around, an uncertain expression on her pixie face. “Hey, Jen? Did you say Brad’s dad is a cop?”
    Something in Casey’s face made Jenna’s hands still. “Yeah? Why?”
    “Ask him if he knows anything about the missing girls.” A feeling of dread settled in the pit of Jenna’s stomach. “What missing girls? Last I heard there was only one missing girl—the one from High Point High that they found dead on Tuesday.”
    “There’s another,” Casey murmured. “This one from DuVal High. It’s been all over the news since last night.”
    Jenna bit her lip. “I had karate last night and went right to bed when I came home. I didn’t see the news. God, Casey, two girls? We need to warn our kids.”
    “Lucas says he’ll make an announcement on Monday telling all the girls to be careful,” Casey said. “So ask Brad’s dad if he knows anything more, okay? Anything we can do to keep our girls safe.”
    “I will.” Jenna glanced at her watch again. “But I can’t if I don’t meet him in three minutes. Go on now. I’ll call you if I learn anything new.”
    Now subdued, Jenna checked the lock on the chemical closet, locked the door of her classroom, adjusted the straps of both her purse and her packed-full briefcase, and set out for the front lobby at the fastest pace her high heels would allow.
    “Dr. Marshall, can I talk to you?”
    Jenna looked over as eleventh-grader Kelly Templeton fell in step beside her as she hurried down the stairs. “If you can run with me, you can.”
    Kelly hastened her step. “It’s about