Chapter 21: Alibi in Motion

When they woke in the morning, JJ prepared a story just in case he and Debbie were asked about where they were and when they had last seen Stacey. Debbie's stomach was in knots all night thinking about what JJ did and how she fixed the situation. She pleaded with him to go back there after he initially told her what had happened; maybe she was still breathing. JJ was convinced that Stacey was gone. Debbie wanted to be sure.

"Look Deb, there isn't anything we can do for her now. Don't you think if I had any doubt, I would have done something?"

"But JJ, maybe you were wrong. Maybe she was only knocked out or in a coma or something. I really think we should go back and check."

"No. We can't risk it. If someone spots us sneaking around back there they will know something is up. If we are seen, we're screwed."

JJ brushed the hair from Debbie's forehead and gave her a kiss.

"I checked Deb. I promise. Don't you trust me?"

Debbie managed to return a weak smile.

"I trust you. But she was my friend. I am sick thinking about her laying there alone in the cold suffering." Tears were streaming down Debbie's face.

JJ used his thumb to wipe away her tears. Then he kissed her again softly.

"She isn't cold. After I was sure she was gone, I covered her with her coat."

Debbie threw her arms around JJ's neck and started bawling. He held her and let her cry. When she settled down, he pulled her back and looked her directly in the eyes.

"We have to stick together on this. If you love me, then you will follow the plan. If not, I could get into big trouble. Seriously, I could go to jail for the rest of my life. Please Deb, I don't want to lose what we have."

Debbie nodded her head in agreement. She understood what he was asking, she had to help him, and this was the only way she could. As far as he knew, Stacey was gone when he left the woods and Debbie slept by his side all night.

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The detective waiting outside the school looked out of place. McCree could have been mistaken for a student, except for the gun he carried at his hip and the tie he was wearing. He looked young to Debbie, in his 20's, she wasn't sure. Either way, she could not let him intimidate her.

He held out his badge and identified himself as Detective Thomas McCree from the Mohegan Lake PD. Debbie's heart was beating quickly. She felt the sting of nervous sweat under her armpits and her mouth had gone dry.

"Hello Detective, I am Deborah LaCata. How can I help you?" She sounded mature and collected, even if she wasn't feeling that way.

"Yes, I have some questions for you about your friend Stacey Orlando. I'd like to wait until I gather the rest of the group before I start. You are the first one I found. Help me by pointing out the others as they exit, won't you?" Detective McCree showed Debbie his list.

"Sure," Debbie responded with reservation. She knew the detective wasn't actually giving her a choice.

Dozens of students exited the main doors of the school and Debbie scanned their faces looking for her friends.

"There's Laurel coming out now, the one with the red hair tied back."

Detective McCree walked over to Laurel, showed her his badge, and pointed over to his car where Debbie was standing.

Laurel came over to Debbie with a puzzled look on her face.

"What's going on?" Laurel asked.

"It's about Stacey." Debbie assured her.

"Not again. She's probably just disappeared with some guy." Laurel stated, clearly annoyed.

Debbie shrugged her shoulders.

"He's asking me to point out everyone on this list." Debbie showed the list to Laurel. She shook her head and leaned against the detective's car.

McCree located Petey and Josh on his own. He pointed at the car, and they walked over.

"What's up? Petey asked.

"Questions about Stacey," Laurel answered.

Franey and Greg came out of the school holding hands and saw Deb, Laurel, Petey, and Josh standing together. They came over on their own to ask the same pressing question.

"That's a detective over there. He wants to ask us all about Stacey," Debbie clarified.

Franey explained that Mrs. Orlando had called her house Saturday morning, and she told her that she hadn't seen Stacey since Friday.

"Yeah, she called all of our houses," Laurel said.

"I got the impression she didn't believe us," Franey added.

JJ was the last one to join the group. The detective pointed at JJ and mouthed Jonathan Williams when he thought he found JJ. Debbie nodded her head slowly to confirm McCree found the correct person.

"What gives?" JJ said and put his arm around Debbie's shoulders.

Before anyone could respond, a second car pulled up.

"Okay everyone, this is Detective Darleen Tremount. She's going to ask the ladies a few questions. You fellas come with me."

Detective Tremount motioned for Debbie, Laurel, and Franey to follow her away from the guys. Debbie couldn't hear what they were talking about, obviously that was the idea.

"Okay ladies, I am going to ask you a few questions and I am expecting truthful responses. Understand?" Tremount said plainly.

All three girls nodded their heads. Then Detective Tremount took out a notepad and pen from her jacket.

"I'll start with you." Tremount gestured at Laurel. "What's your full name?"

"Laurel Rachel Cuffzinger," she replied.

"And when was the last time you saw Stacey Orlando?"

"At school Friday. Last period actually. We have French class together."

"You didn't see her after the bell? You didn't walk home with her or meet up that night?"

"No Mam. It was my mom's birthday Friday. Me and my family went out to dinner."

The detective nodded and wrote in her notepad.

"You, your next. What's your full name?" The detective pointed at Franey.

"Francis Mary O'Hara. But everyone calls me Franey," she replied with a little too much excitement.

"Same questions Francis. What can you tell me?"

"I last saw Stacey on the bus after school."

"You ride the same bus home then?"

"Yeah. She sat across from me."

"And what did you talk about?"

"I don't really remember. School, I think. Nothing special."

The detective continued, "Did you see her get off the bus?"

"No, because my stop is before hers."

"I see. And where were you Friday night?"

"Babysitting my sister. My parents went out to dinner and a movie. My mom ordered us pizza and we watched The Wizard of Oz. My parents just bought a VCR and..."

"Okay, I got it," Detective Tremount said, cutting Franey off.

"Last one, what's your full name?"

"Deborah Marie LaCata. And the last time I saw Stacey was in the bathroom before eighth period."

The detective listened, wrote down notes, and then looked up at Debbie.

"And where were you Friday night?"

Debbie swallowed and shifted her feet. She had to stick to the story she and JJ agreed on.

"I was home with my boyfriend."

Laurel and Franey both turned their heads to each other and then at Debbie. When Detective Tremount's attention was on her notebook, Laurel mouthed the words boyfriend to Franey in which she responded with shrugged shoulders.

"And who's your boyfriend?" the detective asked.

"JJ, I mean Jonathan Williams," Debbie nodded in the direction of the boys being questioned by McCree. Detective Tremount turned to look at the group.

Laurel and Franey's eyes became as big as saucers.

"And how long were you with him? What time did he come over and what time did he leave?"

Laurel and Franey were at full attention. They wanted to know the details too.

"He came over just after dinner, about 7:00 and stayed all night."

Tremount seemed genuinely surprised by her answer. "What do you mean all night? What time did he leave?"

Debbie kept telling herself to breathe and remain calm. Afterall, most of what she was saying was true.

"He left about 6:00 in the morning," Debbie answered.

"Your parents allow you to have a boy in your room all night?" Tremount pressed.

"They didn't know. I snuck him upstairs. We have a back porch door that opens a few feet from the stairs that lead to my room."

"Hmm. I see," she commented.

Detective Tremount cleared her throat and asked with a serious tone, "Now ladies, have I gotten the full truth from the three of you?"

All three girls nodded their heads.

Tremount pulled out a small stack of business cards from her jacket and handed one to each girl.

"If you think of anything that could help, please call my number listed on the card. You can leave a message as well. Me or Detective McCree will get back with you."

Detective Tremount walked away from the girls and joined McCree.

Laurel and Franey waited until she was out of ear shot before talking.

"What in the world Deb?' Franey asked.

"Seriously, do tell? Laurel whispered.

"It's been going on for a while. We just didn't want to make a big deal about it yet."

"Wooooow," Laurel said.

"And when were you planning on telling us?" Franey said with concern.

"Soon. But now it's out and I am glad," Debbie assured them.

"Well, we are happy for you guys. Aren't we Franey?" Laurel said demonstrating her approval.

Franey paused to respond and then nodded her head. Debbie knew how Franey felt about JJ. It was no surprise that she wasn't thrilled about the news.

Detective McCree and Detective Tremount drove off, one car followed behind the other. The boys came over and joined the girls.

"What a tool," Josh commented and gave the finger to the two cars.

"Stacey is probably held up with some college guy again. All of these questions and she is likely getting busy," Greg added.

Debbie and JJ exchanged glances.

"Well, I can eat. Pizza anyone?" JJ asked, rubbing his stomach.

"Definitely," Petey chimed.

Debbie stood frozen in place watching her friends walk away chatting and laughing naively.

Look at them. They have no idea what I have to hide. Not even JJ knows the complete truth.

JJ stopped, turned, and looked over his shoulder at Debbie. He tilted his head and extended his arm reaching for her.

It's for JJ remember. You are doing this for him, she assured herself.

Debbie hurried to catch up and took firm hold of JJ 's hand.