then I’ll decide if you’re crazy or not.”
He
starts off down the hall, and I watch after him, wondering if I’m ready,
wondering if I can really trust him.
***
Thankfully,
I’m able to spend study hall in the library and sign up for some computer time.
Once online, I use news media sites to research articles on Dad. I skim old articles
about his trial and sentencing, looking for information on where his sentence
is being carried out.
My
eyes skim over the words as I steel my heart the best I can, but phrases about
his love for his daughter grip me. He protested his guilt, begged the courts to
realize he was framed. Even to me his words sound like the insane ramblings of
a desperate man. I can only conclude that someone did frame him. It’s the only
notion that makes any sense. But who it was, I don't have a clue. I come to
another article.
John Crane
Injured in Jailhouse Fight .
It's
dated less than three days ago. My mind is frantic as I wait for the page to
load. I lick my lips and take a sip of my bottled soda, but it's flat and
barely sweet.
John Crane,
serving twenty-five to life for the attempted murder of his wife, Miranda Crane
Montgomery, was shanked during a cafeteria prison riot.
Seated by
himself, security officials state that when the fighting started, he tried to
break up the commotion. His defense attorney requested that the courts move him
to a more secure facility. Court papers are sealed, but insiders report that
Mr. Crane suspects someone is trying to kill him to keep the cover on the
attempted murder of his wife over ten years ago.
Pending a
hearing, John Crane is being held in protective custody at the maximum security
prison Cedar Junction .
I
sit back and take a steadying breath, close the article, and look up the phone
number for Dad’s defense attorney, Mr. Grayson. As I type it into my phone, my
hands are shaking so badly I’m afraid I’ll drop the phone as I put it to my
ear.
“I
need to talk to Mr. Grayson.”
“I’m
sorry. He’s in a meeting.”
The
librarian is glowering at me and points to the No Phones sign hanging above her desk. I ignore her. “Tell him it’s
Lara Crane. I want to see my father.”
“One
moment please.”
The
bland hold music plays for an eternity while I wait for him to come on the
line. “Ms. Montgomery? What can I do for you this time?”
This
time? “I want to see my father.”
“Well,
this is a first.” His tone suggests that I am an annoyance, someone he’s forced
to put up with. “What’s with the change of heart?”
“Can
I come see him or not?”
“Are
your parents aware you’re making this call?”
“Nope,”
I say with as much angst as I can muster. “Is that going to be a problem?”
He
sighs and I hear a tapping noise on the other end.
“I
know he wants to see me, and he was hurt, so let’s get this done and worry
about everything else later.”
“Is
tomorrow morning too soon for you, Ms. Montgomery?”
“Perfect.
I’ll come to your office.” I snap my phone shut, and the librarian slides a
detention slip onto my desk.
Chapter
Seven
Principal
Newman isn’t happy with me, but I promise not to use my phone in the library again,
to appease him. He mentions my recent troubles, which makes me wonder what I
was doing before I jumped timelines.
School
is almost out for the day, so I go back to my locker to switch out my textbooks
for my notebooks. I’m about to leave when I see Donovan walking toward me. My
heart leaps, and my hands are instantly clammy at the sight of him … but part
of me tenses. I smile and wave. I feel bad that I’m planning to meet with Rick,
as if I’m somehow cheating on Donovan.
God,
what is wrong with me? I’m going mental.
He
moves in to kiss me, and I tilt my head back, almost welcoming it. His arm is
around my shoulders, pulling me close. I open my eyes and catch our reflection
in the window from across the hall. There I am in expensive
He
starts off down the hall, and I watch after him, wondering if I’m ready,
wondering if I can really trust him.
***
Thankfully,
I’m able to spend study hall in the library and sign up for some computer time.
Once online, I use news media sites to research articles on Dad. I skim old articles
about his trial and sentencing, looking for information on where his sentence
is being carried out.
My
eyes skim over the words as I steel my heart the best I can, but phrases about
his love for his daughter grip me. He protested his guilt, begged the courts to
realize he was framed. Even to me his words sound like the insane ramblings of
a desperate man. I can only conclude that someone did frame him. It’s the only
notion that makes any sense. But who it was, I don't have a clue. I come to
another article.
John Crane
Injured in Jailhouse Fight .
It's
dated less than three days ago. My mind is frantic as I wait for the page to
load. I lick my lips and take a sip of my bottled soda, but it's flat and
barely sweet.
John Crane,
serving twenty-five to life for the attempted murder of his wife, Miranda Crane
Montgomery, was shanked during a cafeteria prison riot.
Seated by
himself, security officials state that when the fighting started, he tried to
break up the commotion. His defense attorney requested that the courts move him
to a more secure facility. Court papers are sealed, but insiders report that
Mr. Crane suspects someone is trying to kill him to keep the cover on the
attempted murder of his wife over ten years ago.
Pending a
hearing, John Crane is being held in protective custody at the maximum security
prison Cedar Junction .
I
sit back and take a steadying breath, close the article, and look up the phone
number for Dad’s defense attorney, Mr. Grayson. As I type it into my phone, my
hands are shaking so badly I’m afraid I’ll drop the phone as I put it to my
ear.
“I
need to talk to Mr. Grayson.”
“I’m
sorry. He’s in a meeting.”
The
librarian is glowering at me and points to the No Phones sign hanging above her desk. I ignore her. “Tell him it’s
Lara Crane. I want to see my father.”
“One
moment please.”
The
bland hold music plays for an eternity while I wait for him to come on the
line. “Ms. Montgomery? What can I do for you this time?”
This
time? “I want to see my father.”
“Well,
this is a first.” His tone suggests that I am an annoyance, someone he’s forced
to put up with. “What’s with the change of heart?”
“Can
I come see him or not?”
“Are
your parents aware you’re making this call?”
“Nope,”
I say with as much angst as I can muster. “Is that going to be a problem?”
He
sighs and I hear a tapping noise on the other end.
“I
know he wants to see me, and he was hurt, so let’s get this done and worry
about everything else later.”
“Is
tomorrow morning too soon for you, Ms. Montgomery?”
“Perfect.
I’ll come to your office.” I snap my phone shut, and the librarian slides a
detention slip onto my desk.
Chapter
Seven
Principal
Newman isn’t happy with me, but I promise not to use my phone in the library again,
to appease him. He mentions my recent troubles, which makes me wonder what I
was doing before I jumped timelines.
School
is almost out for the day, so I go back to my locker to switch out my textbooks
for my notebooks. I’m about to leave when I see Donovan walking toward me. My
heart leaps, and my hands are instantly clammy at the sight of him … but part
of me tenses. I smile and wave. I feel bad that I’m planning to meet with Rick,
as if I’m somehow cheating on Donovan.
God,
what is wrong with me? I’m going mental.
He
moves in to kiss me, and I tilt my head back, almost welcoming it. His arm is
around my shoulders, pulling me close. I open my eyes and catch our reflection
in the window from across the hall. There I am in expensive
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