Murder of a Sleeping Beauty by Denise Swanson Page B

the McDonald’s parking lot on one end and Mayor Clapp’s used-car lot on the other. It was also called “shooting the loop,” and it was technically illegal, although that law was not often enforced.
    Skye spoke, earning a glare from Wally. “What did you girls talk about?”
    “Stuff.” Her bony shoulders under a tight-ribbed sweater moved up and down. “You know, whose clothes are so ‘last year,’ who’s a trendoid wannabe, who was slipping who the tongue at the party last night.”
    “Did you pick up anyone else?”
    “Well, no, I drive a Miata.” Zoë looked at the adults, who appeared clueless. “No backseat.”
    “Nice wheels,” Skye murmured. It was pretty pathetic that a teenager owned the car that she could only dream of buying. It was clear that Skye had taken a wrong turn somewhere on life’s highway.
    “Yeah, right.” Wally tried to regain control of the interview. “So you arrived at school at approximately seven-thirty, but classes don’t start until eight.”
    “We had a cheerleader meeting.” Zoë bent down and adjusted the ankle strap on her black sandals.
    “Who was there?” Wally asked, taking out his notebook.
    Skye itched to do the same.
    “Mrs. Frayne, me, Lorelei, Caresse, and Farrah. Tara was on vacation, and we’re down a girl since DiDi moved away. That’s what the meeting was about. Picking a new Black Widow.”
    “What the he—ck is a Black Widow?” Wally asked.
    Zoë rolled her eyes. “The name of the cheerleading squad, of course. The baseball and football teams are the Scorpions, so we’re the Black Widows. Get it?”
    The chief nodded wearily. “What are the other girls’ last names?”
    “Farrah Miles and Caresse Wren.”
    “Next, you went to your first-period class, right?”
    The teen nodded. “We have all our classes together.”
    “Lorelei wasn’t out of your sight all day?” The chief frowned.
    “Well, except for seventh and eighth hour.”
    “What happened during those periods?”
    “Since there was no PE, and Lorelei and Chase had back-to-back study hall, Mr. Walker called a rehearsal for Sleeping Beauty .” Zoë pulled a mirror out of her purse.
    “You aren’t in the play?” Skye’s question earned her another scowl from the chief.
    “Of course I am.” A tiny line appeared between the teen’s perfect eyebrows. “But Lorelei and Chase were the leads.”
    “What is Chase’s last name?” Wally slid back his chair.
    “Wren. He’s Caresse’s twin.” Zoë spread another coat of scarlet gloss on her lips.
    Wally looked at Skye. “Ms. Denison, is Mr. Walker the disappearing teacher you dragged me over to meet yesterday?”
    “Yes.” Skye thought a moment. There was someone missing. “How about Troy Yates? I thought he was her boyfriend. Wasn’t she with him at all yesterday?”
    Zoë shrugged. “Probably. Who knows?”
    The chief nodded thoughtfully as the three sat in silence.
    Finally, Zoë asked, “Is everything Crystal Light-clear now?”
    Wally didn’t look up from his notebook. “Clear as mud.”

CHAPTER 5
    Mind Your Ps and Clues
     
     
     
     
    A fter Zoë left, Wally said to Skye, “She didn’t seem overly grief-stricken, did she?” “One of the first stages of grief is denial. Maybe it hasn’t hit her yet. So many adolescents have no concept of mortality.” Skye felt she had to support the girl, but in her heart she agreed with the chief. Zoë had not come across as sad.
    “That girl’s period of mourning is about as short as her skirt.”
    Skye didn’t want to argue, so instead she changed the subject. “Have you talked to Elvira Doozier yet?”
    “She’s not at school today. I sent someone out to her house.”
    “I hope she’s okay.”
    “The Dooziers just don’t like talking to the police.”
    “Too bad she’s not here today. I’d like to be with her when you question her.”
    Wally slumped in his chair. “I suppose you plan on sitting here for all the interviews?”
    “Until their parents