Searching For Jenna novel Chapter 29

Chase grunted and nodded. "Steven says you're from some farm in the southwestern part of Kentucky and that you're a queer."

Elliot sat up straighter. "Just because I'm not trying to screw everything not nailed down doesn't mean I'm gay. I was raised to always respect women, so I don't let my tongue wag out of my head at the sight of every pretty girl as Steven does."

"What about you?" Chase turned his attention to Jason.

Elliot could feel the heat of Jason's fear, who he knew was, in fact, gay. Before Elliot could stand up for him, Sarah said, "Jason and I are talking." She turned to Sandy. "We didn't want you to know because we knew you aren't a fan of anyone dating while working together for you."

Sandy nodded. "I'm not a fan, but as long as you two don't let it interfere with your jobs, that's fine. But the first lover's quarrel at the restaurant; you're both fired."

"Yes ma'am," Jason and Sarah said in unison.

Now, Chase turned his attention to Cara. "Yes, I'm gay," Cara said, answering Chase's question before he could ask. "And quite frankly, it's none of anyone's business."

Chase laughed. "Steven said you were a little spitfire."

Elliot stood. "The fireworks are over, and I don't know about the rest of you all, but starting to cook at eight o'clock this morning has caught up with me." He held his hand out to Cara. "I promised I'd give you a ride whenever you were ready, but I'm kind of ready now."

"Me, too," Cara said, standing and wiping the dirt off her butt.

"Oh come on," Chase said. "I didn't mean to offend you all."

Sandy and Jason stood too. Sandy said, "I'm with Elliot. We started this day pretty early."

Sarah stood. Jason folded her chair and took her hand. "We'll meet you at your Jeep, Sandy."

Tom and Megan stood too. "We appreciate you letting us hang out with you all for the fireworks," Tom said holding out his hand to Chase.

Chase stood and took Tom's hand. "I hate that you all are leaving so soon. The party's just getting started."

"We have all been working our asses off today," Megan said. She folded her chair, and Tom took it from her. "I didn't start as early as everyone else did, but it was the busiest day we've ever had. I'm whooped."

"That's cool. Maybe another time," Chase said. "My uncle owns several acres out here, and we have a party just about every weekend."

"She's not dead. I know it," Cara said. "I just can't figure out what her father has done with her."

Elliot glanced at Cara briefly, noting the determined look on her face. "You think her father did something with her? Are you sure he didn't kill her?"

Cara turned and looked at him, and Elliot was glad it was dark in the cab of his truck. She was studying him intently like she was deciding if she could trust him. "If she were dead I would feel it here," Cara said putting her hand on her heart. "I'm certain her father has her hidden away somewhere. She knows the truth about what he did to her, and if she can ever get to the police, he will go to jail."

"What did he do to her?" Elliot asked.

"He almost beat her to death over catching us kissing," Cara said.

"And she went missing after that?" Elliot asked, trying to sound interested, but not too interested.

"Yes. I called the police and went to get my mom. By the time we got back to Jenna's house, she was gone. Her father claims he was knocked out by me and that I hid her somewhere, but I didn't knock him out. He threw me across the room when I tried to get him off Jenna." Cara started to tear up. "I think he hid her thinking he'd bring her back out when her face healed from his beating, but now the Indiana State Police are looking into the case. If Jenna turns up now, especially with scars, he'll get arrested for child abuse and kidnapping."

"So why wouldn't he just kill her?" Elliot asked. Cara's head snapped in his direction with a look of fury. Elliot shrugged. "I'm just saying. If they can't find her, or her body, and he sticks with his story that someone knocked him out, there's probably not much the police can do."