Silent Witness by Patricia H. Rushford

wait up.”

7
    Jennie felt a sudden sense of loss and guilt. Had she hurt his feelings by saying she didn’t care whether or not he came? Or was it something else? Something to do with Melissa?
    Jennie climbed the steps and paused at Gram’s bedroom. Should she tell her Scott had gone? No. Scott hadn’t taken his stuff, and that was a good sign. Maybe he just had to get away and think. There was no sense worrying her if that was the case.
    But what if it isn’t, McGrady? What if he doesn’t come back?
Jennie slipped under her covers and closed her eyes and did the only thing she could do. “God,” she whispered, “keep Scott safe. And if you want him to come with us, then bring him back.”
    As it turned out, Jennie needn’t have worried. Scott was up and packed at six a.m. Jennie flashed him a smile to let him know she was glad to see him. He greeted them both with a half-embarrassed, half-guilty grin and took their bags. They’d cleaned the house and set it in order the night before, and after Gram made a final check, they piled into the convertible and headed north. Gram took her turn at driving first and since she wanted to interview Scott, asked Jennie to sit in the back and take notes.
    â€œTell us how it all started, Scott,” Gram said, after they’d settled in for the long drive. “What would cause a high-school boy to become such an avid environmentalist?”
    â€œActually, I’ve been interested in marine life for as long as I can remember. When I was about seven I saw this television special on saving the whales and decided then and there I was going to be a marine biologist when I grew up.”
    â€œYou’ve been protesting since you were seven?” Jennie asked.
    Scott shifted in his seat so he could talk to both Gram and Jennie. “No, I didn’t get really involved until I decided to do a paper on dolphins. When I discovered how intelligent dolphins are and how well they relate to people, I decided I wanted to do something to help. I feel even stronger about it now that I’ve actually been in the water with them. There’s something … it’s hard to explain. It’s like they know things.”
    â€œYou mean like intuition?” Gram asked. “I’ve read some articles about how they’ve rescued people at sea.”
    â€œYeah.” Scott grew more animated as he talked. “But it’s more than that. It’s like they understand us. Anyway, you’ll see what I mean when you get in the water with them.”
    â€œScott,” Gram said, “I can understand why you’d protest and lobby against senseless killing of the dolphins by fishermen, but why protest places like Dolphin Playland?”
    â€œThat place is the worst. Dolphins shouldn’t be captured so they can entertain people at fancy resorts or perform circus acts. They need to be free.”
    â€œReally? When Jennie and I toured the facilities, we found it clean, and the animals looked happy and well cared for.”
    â€œDolphins always look like they’re smiling … that’s what makes them appealing to people. But when they’re in captivity they tend to get depressed and are prone to illnesses. Places like the Playland claim to be educational and say they’re doing important research, but they’re really exploiting the animals. The owners are making big bucks, and I think it’s wrong.”
    â€œBut what about the children that have been helped by dolphin therapy?” Gram asked.
    â€œYeah, well. That’s the tough part, and I’m still struggling with that. Melissa makes it all seem so clear. I guess that’s why I accepted your offer, Mrs. McGrady. I’d like a chance to get a feel for what the research center on Dolphin Island is really like.”
    They talked about ecology and the environment until Gram stopped in Key Largo for breakfast. From there,