Chapter 42
Brynn’s trembling fingers picked at the numbers on the phone. She needed to get her phone back—or get another smartphone. And why was she so nervous? Chelsea was a teenager. She was no danger to her. And yet Brynn was certain she’d taken Jewel’s collar and brought it back, which meant she knew something about these computer chips, or whatever they were. Also, she didn’t like the idea of harassing a teenager. She hung up the phone. Maybe she should talk with Chelsea’s parents first.
Her thoughts rolled over and over in her brain as she recalled everything the family had been through with the accidental murder and the crazed tractor.
Perhaps it was best to directly ask Chelsea and then, depending on her reaction, Brynn would go to her parents.
“Are you going to make that call or what?” Becky walked into the room.
“Yes, I was mulling over how best to approach it.”
“Directly is best,” Becky said. “I’m running to the market. Are you okay to be alone for about an hour?”
Brynn nodded, staring at the phone as if it would move at any minute. Who knows. With all of the strange technology goings-on, tractors controlled remotely, ransom ware running through the community’s computers, chips in a cow’s collar, perhaps the phone would start to dance at any moment. Brynn smiled.
“Are you okay?” Becky said. “You’ve got a weird smile on your face.”
“I’m fine. Go to the market and I’ll call Chelsea. I’ll have an answer by the time you get back.”
Becky left the room muttering to herself.
Which made Brynn smile even wider.
She picked up the phone and dialed Chelsea.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Chelsea, it’s Brynn. How are you doing?” She tapped her fingers on her knee. Still shaking slightly.
“I’m doing well. I’m going shopping for school clothes later. That’s one of my favorite things to do.”
Brynn’s stomach wavered. Chelsea was so young. She took a deep breath.
“Hey, I’ve got a strange question for you.”
A pause. “Okay.”
“Did you take Jewel’s collar?”
Another pause. “Come again?”
“Someone took Jewel’s collar and I think it was you.”
“Her collar is missing?” She sounded flustered.
“No. You brought it back last night. Your boyfriend was looking for you at the fair and couldn’t find you. You were here, replacing the collar.”
“Look, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she stammered. “I didn’t take anything and I don’t have a boyfriend. I told you that.” She paused. “Is this some kind of joke?”
“No. I wish it were.” Brynn didn’t believe a word Chelsea said. It had to be Chelsea. She wouldn’t admit it. But why? “Are you in some sort of trouble?” She recalled how oddly Tillie behaved when she was in a perceived trouble. Chelsea knew something about all this and felt like she couldn’t say anything.
“I’m sorry, Brynn. I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. Why would I do any of that? I need to go. My mom is waiting for me.” She clicked off.
That was that. Did she really imagine Chelsea would spill her guts? Well, she had harbored a tiny sliver of hope.
Here she was dealing with the odd creature known as a teenage girl again. She and Tillie had gotten close. But Chelsea was a different creature altogether. Tillie was solid, knew what she wanted, even though God knows she had family problems. She had the weight of the world on her shoulders at one point and she ran away.
Chelsea was slippery. Brynn couldn’t say if she even liked the girl. On the face of it, Chelsea was the all-American teen queen, right? Beautiful cheerleader, prom queen, and so on. When she walked into a room, all eyes glanced her way.
Well, none of this mattered. Chelsea wasn’t going to confess. Brynn understood she’d done it. She was perplexed as to why. Maybe that’s the question she needed to focus on. They needed to find out what information was on those chips.
Wes walked into the house. Brynn recognized his footsteps. Max was with him.
“Brynn?”
“In here!”
He entered the room, looking flushed. “Did you just talk with Chelsea by any chance?”
A tingle traveled up her spine. How did he know? “Yes, why?”
He handed her the phone. “She Snapchatted about it.”
“She what?” The phone screen had a picture of Chelsea with words going across the screen. “Some old lady just called me and accused me of stealing a cow collar. Really, lady? Get a life. Lol.”
A pang of hurt tore through her. She’d get a life all right. One that started with a visit to Chelsea’s parents.
“She’s such a bitch,” Max said. “I’m telling you something isn’t right with her.”
“Yes, but she’s a minor. I need to be careful. I’m going to talk with her parents,” Brynn said. “In the meantime, we need to find out what’s on those computer chips.”
Max nodded. “Agreed.”
“We should take them to the cops,” Wes said,
Brynn thought about it. They were so busy working on the murder case. Would they care about computer chips and her cow’s stolen collar?
“Let’s find out what’s on it first, then go to the police,” Brynn said.
“Sounds like a plan,” Wes said.