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Thirty-Five

"Quiet!" Miss Emma stood at center stage front. A spotlight lit her face from below and another flickered on, clearing the shadows from the top.

"Since you all want to know what happened to Zena and Percy over last weekend, we'll let her tell us. I think it's time we clear the air as to what is truth and what is speculation. Zena, up here now. I'm tired of the gossip."

Zena climbed the stairs, thinking about her first appearance on the first day of school. What could she tell them and what was private between them and the various law enforcement agencies working on the case?

"I guess you all know my mother was Elise Pettigrew."

By the chorus of what, how and no way she heard, maybe that wasn't common knowledge.

"Okay, then let's go back to before that. Do any of your parents remember when old Mrs. Pettigrew died because she fell from the balcony in the ballroom at the mansion?" She didn't pause before she asked the next question, "Or when her husband died when he was trampled by his stallion?"

Percy came from backstage to stand beside her and hold her hand. He squeezed three times, and her heart steadied. She knew exactly what to say next. There were a few nods in the front seats. Sally stood and whirled to look at the rest of the drama club gathered in the center section of the seats.

"Come on. I'm sure you've heard the whispers. I did when Zee moved into the mansion. My mom and my grandmother speculated about who could possibly move in. I remember them saying there was no one alive to inherit the mansion." Sally turned to face the stage. "Who are you really? I mean you're still one of the best dancers on the cheer team, and I'm still your friend no matter what. But who are you really?"

"I'm Zena Henderson. Adopted daughter of Ben and Stella who were best friends with my birth parents. My mother was Elise Pettigrew, heiress to the Pettigrew estate. My father was Lawrence Grenville an orphaned Boston heir to a minor estate there. Lacey Pemberton is my twin sister." Let them absorb that. It was the truth. She heard gasps from across the audience floor. Then the cell phones came out and she saw their fingers tapping furiously as the first text messages went out.

"I'm oldest. I think this town knows the tradition. I inherit the mansion on the hill. Lacey gets our father's estate in a town just outside of Boston. She has her own mansion there."

"So, why is everyone saying someone tried to kill you because you were in an accident last weekend?" The question came from further back.

"Because they did. I'm not kidding. Someone damaged my brake lines in the Lexus I usually drive. Insurance is replacing it, and I'm picking up my new car on Saturday. I can't tell you anything more because it's all under investigation. Oh, and no matter what, the Halloween party next Saturday? It's still on. My Dad says life goes on and we can't let some crazy psychopath dictate our lives. The quickest way to make them come out of the shadows is to keep on living our lives. I'm not letting them chase me into hiding." She gave them a small bow.

Percy let go of her hand as she made her way to the stairs. She heard the shouts of go Zee as they turned into a loud chant, and she reached behind her for Percy's hand. He grabbed it and she squeezed three times.

"Thank you, Zena. Well done. Now, on to the last order of business. We have chosen to do a musical this year. Which one? West Side Story or Grease?"

Zena sat down with Percy still holding her hand. He felt like he would never let go and that was exactly what she needed. Excited arguments bubbled around her and she finally decided to put her two cents in.

"We don't have any Hispanic kids in the school who are in the drama class. It wouldn't be right to do Westside Story without them. We can do Grease with those who are in the club and in drama class. I'll even audition for it. But I still think Sally would do better in the lead role."

"Great point Zena." Miss Emma said from the stage. "Are we ready to vote?"

Zena noted the nods from across the theater.

"Okay, show of hands then. Those for Grease?"

The entire group stabbed their hands into the air.

"All right, Grease it is."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"Thanks for letting me test drive a couple of different cars." Zena pulled the parking brake on as she prepared to climb out of the second car at the dealership.

"This one is exactly like the one you had," her Dad said as he climbed out of the passenger side.

"Yes, and I like it. It drives the same as my old one. I like it better than the Kia."

"All right then. We'll let the salesman know. We should have all the paperwork done by Monday or Tuesday. You should be driving to school again pretty quick."

"Should I though?" I mean it seems like whoever did the brakes in on the old one will try again."

"Not likely. Ever since you told the drama class what went on, I've had dozens of messages about anyone who snoops around our cars. So do Deanne and James. You managed to turn up the heat on them by accident." Her father sounded so proud of her.

"I was kind of hoping that's what would happen. You know what Dad? I'm really glad we moved here. Even with all the problems, I really love the mansion, and the people are mostly an okay bunch. Except Anya, of course."

"We'll see what happens in appeals court. She might not be a problem for much longer." Her dad smiled as they walked into the salesman's office. "Now, let's get down to bargaining."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Anya was waiting for them as they left school on Tuesday. Molly and Izzy were with her. Zena noticed them at the bottom of the stairs outside the main door and lifted her phone to take a quick picture. Lacey was right beside her.

"I'm hitting record on my phone. I'll leave it in my pocket, so we have a record of what is going down here. She's back on a rampage. Doesn't she ever learn?" Lacey hissed her last words.

"You hear me bitch?" Anya's words sounded clearly through the crisp evening air.

Zena continued down the stairs. Percy had her hand as usual, and Terry stood with his arm around Lacey.

"Move away and I might let you live. Both of you. I'm going to get you if it's the last thing I do." She moved toward her with her enforcers right behind her.

"I'm not going anywhere. You can't intimidate me. You're out on bail Anya. Do you remember the conditions?" Zena spat the words out like little bullets.

"Doesn't matter. My mother will get me out quick enough. No one believes you anyway." Her swagger was infuriating.

The door opened behind them. "Leave now Anya. If I see you with Molly and Izzy again, I'll expel all three of you. I will not have you breaching bail conditions in my school." Mr. Dalton's words rang with finality.

Izzy and Molly scurried away, disappearing around the east wing of the school. Anya flipped them a bird with each hand. "Just see if you can keep me in jail."

"Wait here until she's out of sight. Then go. You four are the bravest kids I've ever come across in over thirty years as a teacher," Mr. Dalton said. "Take your evidence to the cops on the way home. At least we'll have some peace in the school for a few days until her bail is set again."

"Lacey, did you get all of that recorded?" Zee asked.

"Right here." Her twin pulled her phone out and hit the end record button. "I can't wait to show Agent Carmangy. I wonder if bail will be as easy this time around."