Page 58 of Little Girl Vanished
“Does she know where they go?”
She shook her head. “No, but she asked to be included and they told her she wouldn’t understand.”
“Understand what?”
She shrugged. “Understand what they were doing? I don’t know.”
“Did she report them to the teacher?”
A fierceness filled her eyes. “She ain’t no snitch.”
“Aren’t you worried the girls could be up to something dangerous?”
“What could be dangerous at the school?” She shook her head in disgust. “Damn helicopter parenting is gonna be the end of us.” She pointed a finger at me. “Now if it was Ainsley hiding during recess, I know for a fact Millie or Vanessa would be running off to the principal, talking about how children need to be monitored every step of the way.” Her brow lifted. “But girls that age like their secrets.”
“Even when they keep them from their friends?”
“Those two ain’t really Ainsley’s friends, and I told her so. They’ll always be lookin’ down on her on account of we ain’t got a fancy house and cars like they do, but we got something better. We’ve got heritage. So I told her let ’em hang themselves, although knowing that TJ Peterman, they’ll get out of it.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I gotta get back to my kitchen. It’s Becca’s birthday, and I’m makin’ her favorite Oreo cake.”
My heart sank. I was pretty sure that was the reason Vanessa thought Casey had more in common with her daughter.
Lori started to close the door, but I held up a hand and pulled the piece of paper out of my pocket and approached her, my hand extended. “This is my number. If you think of anything else that might help Vanessa find Ava, could you give me a call?”
Defiance filled her eyes. “Why wouldn’t I just call Vanessa?”
She had a good point, but to my surprise, she descended the two steps to her porch and snatched it out of my hand. Without saying a word, she hurried up the steps and started to walk through the door.
“Just one more question,” I said before she shut the door. “What is your impression of Ava?”
She turned, surprise in her eyes.
“She’s a spoiled brat, if you ask me. She gets anything and everything she wants. The lead role in the dance recital. The spelling bee title, you name it.”
I shook my head. “I thought the spelling bee was won by knowing how to spell the most words correctly. How could the school have just given that to her?”
“They gave her easy words,” she said in disgust, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know where Ava Peterman is, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s hiding just to get even more attention.” Then she slammed the door shut.
I headed back to my car and wrote down notes while the conversation was still fresh in my mind. Lori Sumpter painted a very different picture of Ava than I’d expected, but then again, I suspected Lori’s perspective was colored by jealousy. Both of the examples she’d given of Ava’s privilege were things the girl had likely earned based on merit. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t matter if Ava was a stone-cold bitch. She was too young to take care of herself on her own if she’d run away, and no one deserved to be kidnapped.
Chapter 19
I had nearly two hours before I was scheduled to meet with Millie LaRue. I needed to make use of it, so I decided to look into Vanessa’s allegation that Ricky Morris had set fire to the businesses and houses of people he had issues with.
But first I had to ask Louise about going back to Scooter’s tonight. I sent her a text telling her about Nate’s invitation and explained that I wouldn’t be able to be there until closer to eight because of my parents’ dinner.
She responded a few minutes later saying she’d be there.
I released a sigh of relief and sent Nate a text letting him know. Then, because I’d already asked Louise for several favors, I decided to risk asking for another, even though it made me feel like pond scum.
One more thing. Do you know anything about Ricky Morris burning the businesses and homes of people he doesn’t get along with?
She sent a text back right away.
I haven’t heard anything about it, but I’m still new, so that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. I’ll ask around when I get a chance.
No sense in sitting around and waiting, so I decided to do an internet search of my own. I didn’t want to do it on my phone, so I considered my options—heading up to Wolford and using the computers at the public library or heading back to my apartment and using my laptop on my parents’ wifi. I quickly nixed my apartment. I found the place utterly depressing. Besides, Wolford was the county seat, so if I came across any useful information, I might have time to go to the courthouse and request records.
And it happened to be near my liquor store.