White Lies (Sweet Valley High Book 52) Page 3

  Besides, he looks so gorgeous right now, she thought, looking up at A.J.'s strong face. I don't want to get into an argument.

  "Ready to go?" A.J. asked.

  Jessica hesitated for a moment. Then she gave him one of her brightest smiles. "Definitely. Let's get out of here."

  Elizabeth was silent and moody as Jeffrey drove her home after soccer practice. She sat hunched against the door, frowning out the window at the quiet streets and houses of Sweet Valley. She couldn't stop thinking about John Pfeifer. It was clear he wasn't the type who could turn his back on someone in trouble, and Jennifer Mitchell was in trouble. The problem was, Elizabeth was afraid he could do even more damage by trying to straighten things out. She let out a troubled sigh and rubbed her temples.

  "You're being pretty quiet," Jeffrey spoke up, raising his eyebrows in a question. "What's the problem?"

  "I don't know." She sighed. "Sometimes I just don't know what to say to people when they have a problem."

  He smiled and reached for her hand. "Everyone ends up pouring out their problems to you," he said in a sympathetic voice. Then his tone changed as he went on. "By the way, I have this deep, dark secret that's been bugging me for—"

  "Cut it out!" Elizabeth couldn't help laughing when she realized he was teasing her. She gave him a stern, reproving look that dissolved into a smile. "I'm definitely ready for the weekend, I can tell you that."

  "Oh—that reminds me." Jeffrey grimaced and pulled the car over to the curb in front of her house. "I can't make it to Dana's party tomorrow night. My aunt and uncle are coming down from Oregon. Sorry."

  Elizabeth tried not to let her disappointment show. One thing she had been looking forward to all week was spending Friday night with Jeffrey. "That's OK," she said. "I understand."

  "There's no reason why you shouldn't go without me, though," he added quickly. His green eyes were earnest.

  But Elizabeth shrugged. "Oh, I don't know if I really feel like partying anyway. Maybe I'll just stay home and write or something. Really, I could use a quiet night," she continued, seeing the guilty look on Jeffrey's face.

  "You're sure?"

  "Positive." She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly. Then she opened her door and hopped out. "See you in school tomorrow," she called.

  She stood on the curb to watch him drive off, and she was still smiling while she waved. But her thoughts had already returned to John Pfeifer and Jennifer Mitchell. The way things were, she doubted whether the problem could be resolved without someone getting hurt.

  Four

  On Friday evening Elizabeth drove the red Fiat convertible she and her twin shared out to the Valley Mall. Her favorite bookstore was having a half-price sale, and she knew she could get some real bargains. If she couldn't spend the evening with Jeffrey, at least she could find something really good to read. After a blissful half hour of browsing and buying, she headed back home, a heavy bag of books sitting on the passenger seat next to her. She could hardly wait to curl up with a cup of cocoa and the short stories of Ernest Hemingway.

  On the drive back, however, the neon sign of the Dairi Burger caught her attention. Suddenly thirsty, she shifted into low gear and pulled into the crowded parking lot. A cold root beer was just what she needed. She walked through the falling dusk toward the brightly lit hamburger hangout and stepped inside. She took her place at the end of the long line to order. The restaurant was noisy with activity and voices.

  "Hey, Liz! Over here!"

  Elizabeth turned and saw Ken Matthews waving to her frantically. He was sitting at a booth with John Pfeifer, Sandra Bacon, Manuel Lopez, and Neil Freemount. Sandra, one of the cheerleaders, started waving, too, when she saw Elizabeth, and then Neil and Manuel beckoned as well.

  Nodding, Elizabeth paid for her root beer and maneuvered around the crowded tables. It was like fighting against the surf to get through the crowd. "Hi," she said as she sank down into the booth. "This place is mobbed."

  "No kidding—we practically had to start a war over this table," Sandra said, laughing.

  Neil took a bite of his hamburger and gave Elizabeth an inquisitive look. "Heading to Dana's?"

  She grinned and shook her head. "No, I'm not in a real party mood. How about you guys?" Elizabeth darted a searching look at John, but he didn't seem to be following the conversation.

  "That's the plan," Sandra replied. She gave her boyfriend, Manuel, a teasing look as she added, "As soon as these guys finish feeding their faces."

  "Hey! No fair!" Manuel tried to look indignant, but since he had just taken a huge bite of hamburger, it didn't work. He shrugged and washed it down with soda while the others laughed. "Anyway, I need fuel for Dana's party," he explained.

  As the conversation turned to the party, Elizabeth sat back and sipped her root beer. Part of her wished Jeffrey could have been there and that they were all heading over to the party together. But she didn't really regret missing it that much. There would be other parties to go to, she reflected. Skipping this one wouldn't be such a loss. She turned her gaze on John. So far he hadn't said a word.

  "What's up, John?" she asked quietly.

  He looked up, startled. "Oh. Nothing."

  She cocked her head to one side, giving him a sympathetic look. She knew he was probably brooding about Jennifer, and she searched her imagination for some safe topic of conversation, something that might take his mind off the problem. Between them, Neil and Manuel were teasing Sandra, oblivious of Elizabeth's and John's low voices.

  "So, when are you doing a story for the paper about our new tennis star?" Elizabeth asked.

  He looked blank. "Huh?"

  Grinning over the rim of her paper cup, she taunted, "Oh, so you didn't know, yet, huh? Some ace sports editor you are."

  John managed a smile, but he still seemed to be far away. "Who are you talking about?" he asked absently, picking at the french fries in front of him.

  "Kristin Thompson. She's always off at tennis competitions, and I think she works with a coach every day after school. I bet you'd recognize her if you saw her. I don't think she has many friends, though," Elizabeth added. "Probably because she's always practicing and never has time to hang out."

  John didn't respond. Elizabeth was concerned about how preoccupied and anxious he looked. Drawing a deep breath, she continued, "I heard someone say she's been winning junior championships for years."

  "Oh, yeah? Thompson?" John asked. His effort to sound attentive wasn't succeeding.

  Elizabeth pursued the topic. "Does that name mean something?"

  John shrugged. "Well, it's just there was a famous tennis player, Elise Thompson, who died in an accident ten or eleven years ago. And Mr. Thompson owns the tennis club in town."

  Elizabeth propped her elbow on the table, hoping she could keep distracting him. "Then maybe there's a connection?" she went on eagerly. "It sure would make sense."

  "Yeah," John said in a disinterested tone. He slumped back and scanned the Dairi Burger with anxious eyes.

  Her attempt to cheer him up had failed completely, Elizabeth thought. He was so distant, so caught up in worrying about Jennifer, that he was practically a different person. Sighing ruefully, she followed his gaze. Then she sensed him stiffen suddenly. Rick Andover had just walked in.

  "John," Elizabeth said in a warning tone. She looked at him to gauge his reaction. He was staring intently at Rick. Elizabeth cleared her throat. "John."

  "They're leaving tonight," he said in an undertone. His eyes were still fixed on Rick Andover. "This is it."

  She gave him a startled glance. "Did Jennifer actually tell you that?"

  "No, but I can tell," he muttered, his eyes on Rick. "I'm going to follow him."

  "John! Come on, you can't—"

  He turned to her quickly. "Liz, I have to. I know he's going to end up hurting her," John insisted. "Can you come with me?"

  Elizabeth flinched at the thought. It didn't seem right that John was getting so fanatical about Rick Ando
ver.

  "John, I—"

  For a long moment they looked at each other, and John pleaded silently with his eyes. Elizabeth could see the depth of his feelings and, in spite of her uneasiness, felt herself giving way. Finally she gave him a reluctant nod.

  "OK." She sighed, darting a nervous glance across the Dairi Burger. Rick Andover was talking to some people near the door and looked as if he was getting ready to leave. She glanced at John again and shook her head. "Are you really sure you want to do this?"

  He nodded fervently and started to rise. "Yes."

  "Hey, you leaving?" Neil spoke up. The others were looking at them curiously.

  Elizabeth and John exchanged a look, and Elizabeth explained. "There's something we have to do for the paper. We'll see you later." When she turned to John again, he was already crossing the floor. She gave her friends a shrug and a weak smile and turned to catch up with him.

  "He just went to the parking lot," John informed her, walking quickly. "Let's go. Leave your car here. I'll drop you off later."

  Elizabeth nodded, nearly running to keep up. What am I doing? she asked herself. She knew she should try to discourage John, keep him from jumping to conclusions, but something held her back. Knowing Rick Andover as she did, she couldn't help wondering herself if he was heading for some real trouble. So she kept silent and climbed into John's car.

  Without a word, John started the engine and backed up, keeping Rick Andover's Camaro in sight. They pulled out onto the street and headed for town. Up ahead, Rick signaled for a turn, and John followed behind.

  In the glare of the streetlights, Elizabeth studied John's face. His jaw was set, and lines of fierce determination were etched into his forehead. Elizabeth ached to say something, but she didn't know what. Feeling disturbed, she stared through the windshield at Rick Andover's taillights. She couldn't help wishing she and John weren't doing this.

  "He's pulling over," she spoke up moments later.

  John nodded and slowed. Then he carefully pulled up to the curb behind another car. He and Elizabeth watched as Rick casually looked left and right, then sauntered across the street. His dark hair cast a shadow on his face and made him look sinister and furtive.

  With a jolt, Elizabeth realized Rick was heading for the Mello Music Shop, where he worked. A streetlight illuminated the front window of the shop, spotlighting a drum set, an amplifier, and a gleaming electric guitar. Rick disappeared into the alley beside the shop. John and Elizabeth waited in tense silence.

  "What's he doing?" John whispered. He gripped the steering wheel anxiously, his eyes locked on the darkened store. "What's he up to?"

  "I don't know. Maybe he left something at work."

  "I doubt it," John said. "Something's going on."

  "There could be a perfectly good reason," Elizabeth pointed out. She didn't sound very convincing, even to herself. Biting her lip, she glanced back at the empty music store. A fleeting, stealthy movement in the darkness caught her eye.

  "John!" Elizabeth grabbed his arm. While they watched, the electric guitar rose up and disappeared into the black emptiness of the shop. A patch of light outlined a hand gripping the neck of the guitar before it vanished.

  "He's stealing it," she breathed, her heart pounding. She turned to John. "He's robbing the store!"

  John nodded silently.

  Elizabeth could feel her heart beating rapidly. Witnessing Rick Andover commit a crime suddenly put a whole new light on things. It wasn't a matter of jealousy between John and Rick anymore. If Rick had robbed the music store, he could get Jennifer in serious trouble. And Elizabeth saw from John's expression that he had already figured that much out.

  "There he is."

  Rick emerged from the alley again and looked cautiously around. In one hand he held a guitar case. Apparently satisfied that no one was watching, he stepped out onto the sidewalk and began strolling casually along. Elizabeth and John watched him stop at a phone booth and make a call.

  "He's calling Jennifer. I know it," John muttered. "He robbed the music store, so they've got to be leaving tonight."

  "I think you're right," Elizabeth replied. She twisted her hands together in her lap. "They're probably arranging where to meet."

  John nodded, his expression grim. "I knew he'd pull something like this. I knew it. I'm stopping him right now. And then I'm calling the cops."

  "Wait." Elizabeth halted John before he reached for the door. Running off and confronting Rick Andover wasn't the best solution, she knew. John looked at her impatiently. "Listen, the best thing to do is call Luke Lander—he owns the store. It's up to him to decide what he wants to do. He might not want Rick arrested."

  John let his breath out slowly and watched Rick hang up the phone. John was obviously struggling with his emotions, but he finally relaxed and nodded. "OK. I guess you're right."

  "I know I am. If you call the police and it turns out there's a logical explanation, then Jennifer will find out and be furious with you," Elizabeth continued. "Check with Mr. Lander first, and then you'll know."

  The two of them shared a worried look as Rick drove off in his car.

  Then, hurrying to the same pay phone, John dug in his pocket for some change. Elizabeth flipped through the thin pages of the phone book until she found Luke Lander's number.

  "Here it is: 555-1793."

  With a determined nod, John punched in the numbers, and Elizabeth watched him anxiously. As far as she could tell, notifying the store owner of what they had seen was all they could do. After that, it was out of their hands.

  Five

  A few minutes after midnight Jessica and A.J. strolled hand in hand up to the front door of the Wakefield split-level house. She leaned back against the doorframe and looked up into A.J.'s shadowed face. With a slow, sultry smile she said, "Aren't you glad we went to that party instead of your uncle's?"

  "Mmm. I guess so," A.J. replied, leaning down to kiss her.

  Jessica wrapped her arms around his neck. Going to Dana's party had definitely been better than spending the evening with A.J.'s uncle, she decided. They had danced for hours and sat on the couch together, sometimes the center of attention and sometimes off in their own private world. She sighed blissfully and stepped back a pace.

  "Thanks for a wonderful night."

  "Hey. No problem," A.J. said, and gave her a long, lingering kiss.

  Then he touched her cheek softly and turned to head back to his car. "I'll talk to you tomorrow," A.J. said. "Good night."

  Jessica said good night, blew him a kiss, then slipped inside. She ran lightly up the stairs.

  "You still up, Lizzie?" Jessica poked her head into her twin's room. Elizabeth was sitting up in bed, writing in her journal.

  Elizabeth looked up briefly. "Oh, hi, Jess."

  "What a great party," Jessica announced as she invited herself in. She flopped onto the end of the bed and gazed at the ceiling. "You really should've been there."

  "I didn't feel like going," Elizabeth replied in an absent tone.

  "Liz Wakefield, you just don't know how to party. A.J. and I danced for hours. The Droids have a whole bunch of new songs, you know." Rolling over onto her elbow, Jessica eyed her sister. She thought her twin looked a little depressed. "So what did you do instead?"

  Elizabeth hesitated for a moment and folded her journal shut on one finger. "Just went to the mall and then to the Dairi Burger. Nothing interesting."

  "Why couldn't Jeffrey go, anyway?" Jessica watched the slight tightening of her twin's mouth. When Elizabeth didn't say anything, she prompted, "Couldn't you make him go?"

  "He had other plans, Jess," Elizabeth said. "It's not like I'm in charge of his schedule, you know. He had some family obligation."

  Jessica let out a snort and rolled her eyes. "Well, so did A.J., but I got him to switch," she said complacently. She toyed with a strand of her hair and went on in a dreamy voice. "He's such a great guy, Liz. He'll do anything for me. Anything I ask."

  "Hmm.
"

  "I'm totally serious," Jessica insisted. She gave her twin a sidelong glance, wondering if Elizabeth was jealous of the relationship she and A.J. had. Maybe Elizabeth was irritated because she couldn't get Jeffrey to change his mind and be reasonable. "Listen, you want to hear my philosophy about men?"

  Elizabeth gave her a skeptical look. "Not really, but you'll tell me anyway."

  "That's right." Pushing herself up off the bed, Jessica sauntered over to the mirror and critically examined her face. "My theory about men is you have to make them do what you want," she explained. She carefully picked off a clump of mascara and flicked it away. "Otherwise, they'll never think of it themselves."

  Elizabeth remained silent.

  "I mean, for instance, A.J. went and told his uncle we would both have dinner with him tonight, without even realizing I didn't want to," Jessica continued. She hunted for a moment around Elizabeth's bureau and picked up some pearl earrings. As she tried them on in front of the mirror, she added, "So I had to tell him we should go to Dana's instead—obviously."

  Elizabeth let out an impatient sigh. "So you're saying I should've done the same thing to Jeffrey—just order him to go to the party? You're crazy, Jess. Never in a million years."

  "Liz." Through the mirror, Jessica sent her twin a pitying look and shook her head. "If he really cared, he wouldn't have made you stay home all alone on a Friday night."

  "He didn't make—"

  "But A.J. and I really have a unique relationship, Liz. I guess you can't help it if your relationship isn't perfect like ours. I bet you never thought we'd last so long, did you?" She turned on her sister suddenly. "Did you?"

  Elizabeth looked surprised. "I don't know, Jess. I never really—"

  "Anyway, I'm so exhausted, Liz. I can't stay up another second. Sorry."

  Smiling angelically, Jessica drifted through the adjoining bathroom door. Sometimes it was just impossible to communicate to people how special her relationship with A.J. was. And if she could only get A.J. to change his mind about going to his uncle's the next night, when everyone else would be going to Guido's, everything would be perfect.