The trapeze artist knew she was cornered and would have to say something. It was too late to come up with a white lie; she’d always been an awful liar. ‘It’s… It’s Jenny. I’m concerned with her. She -’ Oh, no. The truth could NOT come out! ‘She spends most of her time alone, indoors. I tried talking her into coming along, that some fresh air would even improve her writing, but it was obviously to no use.’

Alice picked up her cellphone from an opaque blue purse she carried, held a hand in the universal sign of "wait". She searched for a number on her contact list, hit call and put the phone to her ear.

‘Hello… hi, Jenny, what’s up? We were just talking about how lonely you must be feeling, what with the empty mansion all to yourself. Are you scared?…

‘Oh, you’re not alone? Who’s keeping you company, Casper?’ Pieszecky bit on her lower lip, then smiled at Robin as Ms. Schecter said something. ‘Ah, ok. Have fun, the two of you. Please don’t destroy the furniture, Manfredi would kill you. And I don’t want to sleep in a blood-soaked house. Ok? Bye.’

Alice packed the cellphone, faced Robin, didn’t realize that her friends silently stood behind her, some holding plastic bags. ‘No need to fret over your girlfriend. She’s chasing Alba through the house.’

That piece of information was more shocking than appeasing. It was very hard for Ms. Allenwood to keep her face neutral, almost amused. ‘Oh, really? And why in the blue blazes is she, uh, chasing Alba?’  

‘Basically it’s because the kid stole Jenny’s notebook and won’t give it back. These two.’ Al. beamed, rolled er eyes heavenward. ‘They remind me of fifteen-year-olds falling in love. With each other.’

Marina’s and Robin’s hearts fluttered uneasily at the same time, for different motives. The others chuckled and nodded, slightly pleased with the idea.

‘Maybe they will hit it off.’ Shane said, then remembered something and added. ‘Sorry, Robin, no offense.’

‘None taken.’ Ms. Allenwood replied absentmindedly, although that was exactly her biggest fear, worst nightmare.

‘Strange, I thought Alba was running around the city with Dana.’ Mrs. Ferrer put in. She’d seen a predatory glitter in Jenny’s eyes, had heard the author’s silent threats. What would Marina do if Ms. Schecter did try to seduce the teen?