The B Girls - By Cari Cole Page 0,46

and I will handle our own business. You concentrate on school."

She patted his hand and sat back. "Let's have some lunch and then I need to get going."

Ryan blew out a frustrated breath. "I don't understand any of this."

"I'm afraid I'm not having much luck with that myself. I know you've been surprised by this--so was I--but in practical terms it won't effect you much. I promise to be polite to your father on all special occasions."

"How can you joke about this?"

"Because it's better than crying and besides, crying won't do any good. I have to deal with this in my own way."

"By running away to Belle's?"

"I haven't run anywhere. Belle asked me to help her with something." And wasn't she just being a big ol' hypocrite, lying by omission after calling Gary on his lies.

"You're not going on one of her 'adventure' trips are you?"

"Not this time. But why wouldn't you want me to go?"

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Mom, the last time she went on a trip there was a coup. She had to negotiate with some rebel chief to get back to the airport."

"Well I'm not leaving Georgia in the next few days. After that, who knows? I think it's past time for me to start remembering who I am. Not your mom. Not a wife. Just me."

"What if Dad's just going through a phase? What if he changes his mind?"

"I don't think that's going to happen. He's already filed for divorce. He had someone serve me with the papers on Sunday."

Ryan's expression hardened. "He really did lie to me."

"I'm sorry this has upset you," Lucy said. "But I really want you to concentrate on school and let your father and I worry about ourselves." She looked at her watch and found it was nearly one. "I really have to get going."

"You never said what you were up to," Ryan pointed out.

"No, I didn't. Maybe I'll tell you in a few days."

After promising to keep in touch and getting a final hug and kiss, Lucy gave him lunch money just like old times and left him to his greasy food.

She had one more stop to make while she was here.

She'd done a quick internet search and gotten Perry's address this morning. She figured she could at least do a drive-by and see if it was even possible he could be holding Belle at his home.

The address was an old Victorian that had been divided into apartments catering to students.

There was virtually no way Perry was holding Belle in his apartment.

Should she park? Go in and see if he was home?

She pulled to the curb in front of the house, put the car in park and stared at the front door.

Her curiosity got the better of her and she went in.

The mailboxes in the foyer indicated Perry was upstairs in number four.

She went up and knocked. He probably wouldn't answer the door anyway.

The door swung open and Perry was blinking down at her as if he'd just emerged from a dark theater into the sunlight.

"Mrs. Deen. What are you doing here?"

"I came to do a little research. I thought I should stop by. See if you've heard from Belle or come across anything new that might help find the Declaration."

"What kind of research?"

Figures he'd home in on the one thing she didn't want to talk about. She tried on a wry smile. "I lied. I came to check up on my son. He's a freshman."

"Oh," I see. "I hope he's okay."

"Fine. Now, how about it? Anything new?"

"No. I'm afraid unless you come up with something I'm going to have to rethink my entire dissertation. Has Belle said anything?"

Was he for real? Lucy shook her head. "She's not back yet."

He looked surprised. "Have you called the police?"

"No. They won't get involved unless there's some sort of evidence of foul play."

Perry didn't respond but Lucy thought she might be detecting a little bit of relief on his face. Or imagining it.

"If you think of anything or stumble on something new, call me."

Perry nodded. "Sure. You'll do the same?"

"Absolutely."

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Jane and Mae pounced on Lucy the second she walked in the door, anxious to show off the supplies they'd purchased for their trek into the cave.

"We tried to do some research on the internet before we left but it seems serious cavers aren't interested in helping amateurs strike out on their own," Mae said.

Jane made a rude noise. "Imagine people who know what they're doing not wanting to