Page 97 of Grown

“He was at Teen Conference too. I saw him before the dance.”

“What? Why didn’t you tell Mom?”

“I... I thought I could handle him. Thought I could keep him in check...”

“How’d you think you were going to handle someone like him? He’s Korey Fields! A superstar! You’re just... you. We need to tell Mom.”

Shea’s right. Korey has all the money. All the power. I’m... just me.

Chapter 66

Beet Juice 4

NOW

“Chanty? Baby? Are you OK?”

“Daddy?” I whisper. What’s he doing here?

More voices. I look to my right, down the hall, something sticking out of the wall. A hidden door cracked open like a book. I peer inside at the short metal staircase leading to a glass door. That must be the studio, one floor below. I’ve never seen this door before.

Did we work on music last night? Maybe.

Think.

Think.

Beside my feet is a steak knife. The kind you find in a set,sitting in a block of wood on the kitchen counter. Except now it’s on the floor, covered in beet juice.

Don’t even know where the kitchen is, but I should clean up, before anyone comes in here. He’ll be so mad.

As I bend, the front door lock clicks and swings open.

“FREEZE!”

Chapter 67

Interrogation #1

THEN

Transcript–May 13

Detective Fletcher:Hello, Mrs. Jones, Enchanted. I’m Detective Fletcher. You’ve already met with my associate Detective Silverman. Nice to meet you both!

Enchanted Jones:Hi.

LaToya Jones:Yes, hello.

Fletcher:Detective Silverman asked me to join, but before we start, I just wanted to say, I was actually at that showcase you recently did. At the Apollo.

E. Jones:Really?

Fletcher:Yeah, my daughter is an aspiring singer too. You have an amazing voice!

E. Jones:Thank you.

Detective Silverman:So to confirm, you want to report Korey Fields for assault, battery, rape, and... stalking? Am I right?