[Alex Mercer 01.0] Girl in Trouble

by Stacy Claflin

  “Some. There’s no time to worry about it now.”

  She rubbed his shoulders. “I know the feeling. I’m not getting enough myself. It feels like we’re reliving Macy’s disappearance all over again.”

  “I don’t know how you did it.” He blew out a series of short breaths to calm himself. “Especially for so long.”

  “You know, sometimes when I think back to it, I wonder how we did it, too.” She paused. “It drove me to do some things I never thought I’d do.”

  Alex turned around. “What do you mean?”

  Mom frowned. “The stress really gets to you. It affects the way you see everything. Just make sure you’re taking care of yourself—sleeping enough, eating enough. It keeps your mind clear.”

  “Easier said than done.”

  “Don’t I know it.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, I didn’t come in to talk about that. I wanted to let you know that people are gathering down at the park again to hand out fliers.”

  “Again?”

  “Sorry. I can’t stop thinking back to Macy. I’m just as scared.” Tears filled her eyes.

  Pain gripped Alex. He jumped up and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head against his shoulder and sobbed. Alex rubbed her back, fighting his own tears. Mom’s cries were too much for him. He thought of Ariana, and the floodgates opened. Together, he and his mom cried until she finally stepped back and wiped her eyes.

  “W-we should get to the park.” She wiped mascara from under her eyes.

  Alex cleared his throat and nodded. “I’ll be down there in a few minutes. I’m going to take a quick shower.” He looked like crap.

  Mom nodded. “Sure, hon. I’m going to have to wash my face. I don’t know what I was thinking, wearing makeup.”

  “You’re pretty without it.”

  She kissed his cheek and headed out the door.

  Alex grabbed some clothes from the dresser—Mom had never gotten rid of his high school clothes. Luckily, they all fit. He’d put on some weight, but not much, apparently.

  Just as he stepped out of the room, his phone buzzed on the desk. He almost ignored it—but what if it was news about Ariana?

  He went over and dropped his clothes next to the phone. There was a text from his boss.

  Get over here now.

  Anger surged through Alex. How dare he? Not only was it Sunday—his one day off—but Darren knew Alex was dealing with Ariana’s abduction.

  Alex replied to the text.

  Go to hell.

  His thumb hovered over the send button before deleting it.

  I’m about to go to a rally for my missing kid.

  No, you’re on your way here.

  Why?!

  Because of what we just found in your locker.

  There was nothing in his locker besides extra clothes.

  What are you talking about?

  The thing you didn’t want us to find.

  Stop being vague.

  The drugs, stupid!

  He stared at the last text, trying to make sense of it.

  Get down here now before I call the cops.

  Alex swore. Had one of his idiot coworkers stuck something in his locker since he never locked it? There was nothing worth stealing, so he never bothered. He needed to get to the rally.

  Are you coming? I don’t *want* to call the cops.

  But he couldn’t help find Ariana if he was behind bars. He needed to sort this out right away, and then come back to the rally.

  On my way now.

  Good.

  How could this be happening? Why now? Alex stormed around the room, looking for his keys. They’d fallen between his desk and dresser. He stuffed them in his pocket and stomped downstairs.

  Mom and Dad were putting their shoes and coats on.

  “What’s wrong?” Dad asked.

  “I have to go talk to my boss.”

  “Now?” he exclaimed. “Doesn’t he know—?”

  “He knows, but I could get fired if I don’t go.” Actually, Alex didn’t care about getting canned. He would deal with the jerk later, but he didn’t want to tell his parents Darren had all but threatened him with jail time. “I’ll be back to hand out fliers, I swear.” He might not be able to get back, but he would do his best.

  “You want me to call him?” Mom asked.

  “No,” Alex said too quickly. “That would only make things worse. I’m an adult. I’ll handle this.”

  “Well, if you need anything, you have our numbers.”

  Alex gave a quick nod and slid on his boots. “Thanks.” He rushed out the door, got into his beater, and floored it.

  As he drove, his mind raced with theories. He knew of more than a handful of coworkers who did various illegal drugs. Any one of them could’ve put them in accidentally if they were high. He couldn’t think of one who had it out for him, though.

  Then just as he turned off the freeway, it hit him.

  What if Flynn had been behind it?

  The mysterious message had promised Alex he would pay for interfering.

  Fired

  Alex stormed into Darren’s office. “If you’re going to accuse me of something, do it to my face.”

  Darren glanced up and narrowed his squinty eyes. “There’s marijuana in your locker, Mercer.”

  “You suggesting I put it there? And by the way, it’s legal, so calling the cops wouldn’t do you a lot of good.” Alex wanted to punch Darren for making him drive all the way to work for nothing.

  “Do you have a medical condition I don’t know about?” Darren asked. He fidgeted with a pen.

  “Nope, because it’s not mine.”

  “Who does it belong to?” Darren slid off his dress jacket and rose from his expensive, plush chair.

  “Uh, how about anyone? Half the crew is into a lot worse than weed.”

  “Everyone who works here has your locker combo?” He arched a manicured brow that earned him countless jokes behind his back, and stared Alex down.

  “I leave it unlocked!”

  “It was locked when I checked it today.” Darren looked away and frowned.

  “Clearly, whoever planted it locked it.” Alex clenched his jaw.

  “Are you saying you’re being set up?” Darren’s voice was so low Alex almost couldn’t hear him.

  Alex studied him. His confident boss was uncharacteristically unsure. Alex took a deep breath. “It sure looks that way. How’d you find out about this, anyway?”

  Darren licked his lips and kept his gaze low. “Doesn’t matter.”

  Alex slammed his fists on the desk. “It matters!”

  Darren jumped and finally looked at Alex. “A threat.”

  Fury tore through Alex. Probably the same person harassing him. “From who?”

  “It was anonymous.”

  “They threatened you?”

  “My family. Consider this a layoff. I don’t want to do this, but…” His voice trailed off. He reached under his desk, pulled out a cardboard box, and handed it to Alex. “Let’s clear out your things.”

  “Why’d you have me waste my time to come down here? You could’ve fired me over the phone!”

  “It’s part of the deal. You have to take your things home. I’m not going to turn you in. Just clear out your locker. I’ll give you a good referral if you need one.”

  Alex stared at him, unable to find words. He shook his head, stormed to the lockers, and crammed his clothes and spare boots into the box. He stormed out of the building and threw the box in the back of his car. He couldn’t think straight and didn’t want to face the long drive back to his parents’ place in the mood he was in. He peeled away, sending rocks spraying through the employee parking lot.

  He went home to check on the apartment. The paint was still peeling and the floor still stained from previous renters. Everything was just as he’d left it. He grabbed a few clothes and took them out to his car, throwing them into the box.

  Alex turned on the music and took a deep breath
. He needed—wanted—to get to the park and hand out fliers, but in the mood he was in, he’d only reinforce everyone’s preconceived notions of him. He’d likely punch someone. He should’ve hit Darren. The dill weed deserved it.

  He went to the bar—he’d only have one drink to calm his nerves. Then he’d be able to drive, and he would at least feel a little better.

  Inside, Cole greeted him with a surprised expression. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Me, neither,” Alex grumbled and sat on a stool. “Get me a beer, would you?”

  “Sure thing.” He grabbed one, removed the cap, and slid it over.

  Alex drank most of it in one swig.

  “Any news on your daughter?” Cole asked.

  “Nope.” Alex finished it off.

  “Want another?”

  Alex shook his head, dug out a bill from his pocket, and set it on the counter. “I just need to think.”

  “So you came all the way here?” Cole leaned on the counter.

  “I was in the neighborhood. Boss made me come in to fire me in person.”

  “Fire you? For what?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Alex played with the empty bottle. “I didn’t do it, but I’m still fired.”

  “That sucks. What are you gonna do?”

  Alex shrugged. “Not much I can do. Not now. I have to get back to the search party.”

  “Here, have one on me.” Cole slid him another beer.

  “Thanks.” Alex studied the bottle, trying to decide if he should or not. Why not? It wasn’t like a second beer would get him plastered. He was still pissed off and wanted to punch a hole in something. He took a long, slow sip, hoping this one would help him feel better. Maybe it would help him figure out what to do about the threats. It was probably time to mention them to Nick—Flynn wasn’t playing around, and he needed to be stopped.

  Attempt

  Ariana gasped for air as the deadbolt locked. She couldn’t believe she’d managed to get the butter knife into the room. It was a miracle the thing hadn’t slid out of her sleeve or showed much of a bulge while she ate. Lloyd had been distracted, though. In fact, he had to get back to something right after they ate.

  At least that would give her some time to see what she could do with the lock now that she had the butter knife. He was now banging things around in the kitchen, so she’d have to wait. If she was lucky, he’d leave again.

  She slid the knife out from her sleeve and stared at it, eager to test it out.

  Knock, knock.

  Ariana jumped, nearly dropping it. She shoved it behind some creepy dolls. “Y-yeah?”

  He came inside. “Sorry to have to leave you in here again, Jan. I’m going to make it up to you. We’ll have ice cream and watch a movie tonight, okay? Then tomorrow we’ll get ready for Halloween.”

  “Okay.”

  “Do you need anything?”

  Other than to go home? To her real home. “No.”

  “I’ll be back soon. Sorry again.”

  “It’s okay.” What did he expect her to say?

  The floor creaked under Lloyd’s feet as he walked out and then locked the door.

  She breathed a sigh of relief and went over to the window to make sure he was really leaving. A few minutes later, he appeared out by the car. He got in and drove away.

  Ariana waited, holding her breath, just to make sure he didn’t come back. Once she was sure he was really gone, she took the knife and stuck it in the keyhole. It didn’t go very far, but she could wiggle it around. She tried several angles, waiting to hear the familiar click.

  Nothing.

  She pressed her shoulder against the wall, jiggling it and trying different angles.

  Had stealing the knife been for nothing? No, it couldn’t be. She wouldn’t let it be.

  Ariana kept trying and trying, until sweat dripped into her eyes. She wasn’t ready to admit defeat, but she had to try something new.

  Gravel crunched under tires outside.

  He was back already?

  She ran over to the window, and sure enough, the car was returning. Ariana looked around the room, desperate to find a hiding spot for the knife.

  Where would Lloyd never think to look?

  A car door slammed shut outside.

  She jumped and breathed heavily, heart pounding. The knife shook in her hand. No, her hands were shaking.

  The car alarm beeped outside.

  Ariana ran over to the large, heavy dollhouse and lifted one side. Everything shifted down to the left in all the tiny rooms. She grimaced but shoved the knife underneath and set the house down, trying to keep it silent. Her middle finger got stuck underneath. She held back a cry as the pain shot through her finger.

  She managed to lift the house again and pull her hand away. As she shook it out, she noticed an indent in her skin. The finger grew hot and throbbed. She stuck it in her mouth, hoping that would somehow help.

  The deadbolt clicked.

  Ariana sat down and grabbed a couple dolls, careful to hold them so Lloyd wouldn’t see her finger.

  The door opened slowly. Lloyd appeared. “Are you all right? I thought I heard a thud.” He walked over and looked at the messed up rooms in the dollhouse. “What happened?”

  She swallowed. Time to think fast. “They had an earthquake—the dolls did. That’s what you heard. Why the rooms are like that.”

  Lloyd nodded. “You had me worried, but I should’ve known better. You’ve always been so creative like that, Jan.”

  Ariana tried to smile.

  “You ready for ice cream and a movie?” he asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Wanna skip dinner and go straight to dessert? Mom and Dad never let us do that, but I say we do what we want since they’re not here.”

  Time to get into character. Ariana widened her eyes and forced a smile. “Really?”

  He waved her toward the door. “Help me scoop the ice cream.”

  Ariana glanced at the dollhouse and back to Lloyd, but he didn’t seem to know anything was wrong. She sighed in relief.

  “Are you okay?”

  Fear drummed through her. “Yeah, great.”

  Lloyd put an arm around her shoulders. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to have you back. I hate that I keep having to leave, but some things came up that…” His voice trailed off. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. We’re together now, and that’s all that I care about.”

  “It’s amazing.”

  They went to the kitchen, where three boxes of ice cream sat on the table next to five or six bottles of toppings.

  Ariana’s eyes widened, momentarily forgetting where she really was until Lloyd rubbed his hands together, his eyes equally lit up.

  “I just knew you’d love it. You fill the bowls while I pop the popcorn.” He went over to an old-fashioned popcorn maker and poured in a bunch of kernels. They made a lot of noise as they slid down. Popping filled the air, and soon the entire room smelled of popcorn. He turned on the stove and put a stick of butter in a pan. “You going to make the sundaes?”

  “Right.” Ariana turned around and scooped vanilla into each bowl, then chocolate, and finally almond fudge. There was still room for more, so she put extra chocolate into each before drizzling on toppings.

  Lloyd drizzled the melted butter on top of the huge bowl of popcorn and then added salt. He picked it up with one hand and then grabbed a six pack of root beer with the other. “Are you ready to take all this into the rec room?”

  She nodded and took the two bowls of ice cream, following him through a hallway she hadn’t yet seen. He opened a door and nodded for her to go in first.

  The room had two green flowered couches, a matching recliner, a huge brick fireplace, a pool table, and some brightly colored posters on each wall. Lloyd set the pop and popcorn on an intricately carved wooden table and turned on the TV. “Eat your ice cream before it melts.”

  Ariana sat on the nearest couch and dug in while he set up the movie.
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br />   He sat next to her and took the other sundae. “Mmm. You always make the best ones.”

  The movie started, and it was one she’d wanted to see for a long time, but her parents wouldn’t let her. They said it would be too scary.

  Lloyd turned to her and gave a friendly smile. “You’re going to love this movie. I just know it.” He put the bowl of popcorn between them.

  She nodded and took a handful. Guilt stung at her for enjoying herself, but really, who could blame her? Ice cream sundaes, root beer, popcorn, and a scary movie.

  Note

  By the time Alex made it back, the flier-handing party had ended. A few kids played on the playground as their moms talked.

  His heart sank. He’d really wanted to do something to help find Ariana. He popped a couple breath mints. Having beer breath wouldn’t help anything. He sighed and parked in his parents’ driveway.

  He dragged his feet to the front door. Would he tell them their college dropout son who’d managed to let his daughter get kidnapped was now unemployed? It would take serious effort to sink lower than he already had.

  Alex balanced the box while he dug out his keys and unlocked the door. Upstairs in the kitchen, he could hear conversation. It sounded like his parents, Macy, Luke, Zoey, and her parents. The whole gang.

  No way was he going to talk about getting canned in front of all of them.

  He slid off his coat and boots and walked upstairs, trying to be quiet enough to walk by unnoticed.

  “Nice of you to stop by,” Zoey said.

  His stomach tightened into knots. “I had to talk to my boss. My job was on the line.”

  “Are you okay?” his mom asked.

  “I’m fine. How did it go? I wanted to get back in time.”

  Macy smiled at him. “It went really well. So many people showed up that we ran out of fliers. But they’re online so anyone can print them off. Sit down, you look tired.”

  Alex glanced at the full table and shook his head. “I’ll head up to my room and print some off. I was serious about wanting to hand them out.” He hurried up to his room before anyone could argue. Truth was, he didn’t want to see Zoey right then. Not at his absolute lowest. He probably would end up hitting something.