excerpt
“N…no, I don’t think so. No, that’s right, she’s not in bed. I guess
she hasn’t come home yet.”
“Well, does Rachael happen to be there? Did she stay at home
with you?”
There was a short pause while the girl obviously stifled a yawn.
“No, Auntie Tyne, Rachael was here earlier, but she left with Lyssa.”
“Left for where, Lark? When did they leave? Was Lyssa driving
Rachael home?”
Aware that her voice had risen an octave, Tyne took a deep breath
and willed herself to stay calm.
“They went to the dance at Spirit Lake, I think.”
“The dance? Rachael went to the dance? Are you sure that’s where
they went?”
“Well, I heard them talking … that is, I heard Lyssa on the phone
talking to some guys, and then she told Rachael they were going to
Spirit Lake. I told Rachael she shouldn’t go, but … but Lyssa called
me a baby and told me to mind my own business.”
There was an audible sob in Lark’s voice, and Tyne said quickly,
“It’s all right, honey; it’s not your fault. I’m sorry to be bothering you.
Is your mom not home from work yet?”
“No, she doesn’t get home until after midnight. The cafe doesn’t
close until … oh, what time is it?”
“It’s okay, it’s not quite twelve, she’ll be there soon. But Lark, have
you been out since the girls left? Could they have come home and gone
out again and you missed them?” Tyne knew she was grasping at straws.
“No,” Lark said, “I haven’t been out. I had to stay with Freddie and
Maybelle.”
“Of course. All right, Lark. You go back to bed now, but please, if
you hear Lyssa come in have her call me right away.”
“I will, Auntie Tyne. Goodnight.”
Tyne hung up the phone, covered her face with both hands and
whispered, “Please, God, oh please.” Then she ran through the house
and up the stairs to wake Morley.
Libros Libertad 