Lost & Found

by Raquel De Leon

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  © 2018 Raquel De Leon. All rights reserved.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  The two-story cottage was dark as Piper Tate approached it, its cheerful yellow exterior and white trimmings almost indiscernible in the faint moonlight. She was quiet as she opened the door, unsure if her foster brother and sister were up or not. The last thing she wanted to do was accidentally wake them.

  She carefully kicked off her boots and hung her blue leather jacket up, pausing to think about what she'd have for a late night snack.

  Long fingers combed through wild blonde locks as she considered her options, only for the low sound of the television to finally register. Curious, she meandered toward the source.

  Mark was curled up on the overstuffed sofa, snug in a quilt their foster mom had made last winter. His dark hair was tousled and his baby-faced features were captivated by whatever he was watching.

  “Hey kid, what you doing up so late?” Piper was more than a little concerned; Mark had been known to suffer from the occasional nightmare.

  Drooping brown eyes looked up at her. “I couldn't sleep. I thought I'd catch up on my favorite show.”

  Piper internally grimaced. The nine-year-old had a fascination with The Unforgotten that none of the family considered particularly healthy.

  Shelly, their foster sister, thought that he secretly hoped one day he'd find out his parents hadn't abandoned him.

  The thought made Piper a little sad, even if she could understand the hope. She'd had similar dreams for a long time… up until about the third family that sent her back to the group home.

  “Aw, come on, Mark. You know you shouldn't be watching that stuff at,” she glanced at the clock, “eleven-thirty at night. You have school tomorrow.”

  Mark squinted up at her, a small frown marring his youthful features. “No I don't, it's an extra weather day.”

  Piper blinked. “Oh, I didn't know the school hadn't used them all up.”

  He grinned at her. “Yeah, well you're not very good with stuff like that I guess.”

  Her denim-clad legs made swift work of the short distance to the couch. She ruffled his hair as she flopped down next to him.

  His grin widened. “How was work, Piper?”

  “Eh, the usual. Dottie thought since it was a little slow she'd send me home early.” She smiled to herself; despite her tough exterior, Dorothy Tate was a sweetheart.

  Mark paused his episode of The Unforgotten and gave Piper a serious look. “Dottie really loves us, doesn't she?”

  His eyes were too wary for someone still in elementary school, something that killed Piper a little inside. “You bet she does, kiddo. No matter what happens, you better believe you've got Dot in your corner.”

  Mark was a fairly recent addition to their family. The first few months had been rough for him but, after a year with the Tates, he seemed to be genuinely happy.

  She glanced at the TV. “How many episodes of this do you have stored on the DVR anyway?”

  Mark blushed. “I still have four or five left. Do you think Dottie will mind?”

  Piper chuckled. “Nah, the only thing that would make her grumpy is the fact that you're up so late.” She gave him a pointed look.

  His attempt at a smile looked more like a grimace, his lips unnaturally stiff. “I promise I'll go to bed after this episode. It's a special edition!” His eyes were wide and hopeful as he looked at her.

  Piper sighed and tilted her head. “How can I resist that look? But you better hit the hay right after this ep, you got it bud?”

  Mark nodded eagerly.

  She pressed her hands against the couch cushion. “Alright, I'm gonna go make a sandwich, you want anything?”

  His face scrunched up a little as he thought. “Will you make me a cup of cocoa?”

  “Eh, I don't think it's a good idea to have that much sugar this late. You're off school tomorrow anyway though—I guess once in a while doesn't hurt, right?” She wanted to spoil him a little, knowing he hadn't had much of that before he'd come to the Tate household.

  His natural grin returned.

  She smiled back and left for the kitchen to get her snack and his drink.

  Ten minutes later Piper was walking back into the room, cocoa in one hand and a sandwich in the other. She stepped over to the couch carefully, not wanting to spill the cocoa. Mark eyed her eagerly, TV temporarily forgotten.

  “Thanks a lot, Piper!” He glanced at the cup. “Oh cool, you gave me whipped cream and cinnamon!”

  His enthusiasm made Piper chuckle. She’d probably regret giving him sugar before bed—well, if Dottie figured out it had been her, anyway.

  She groaned as she settled in next to him and started eating the sandwich, only half paying attention to the show as she thought about her day.

  “—the considerable assets at their disposal, the Berings could never get Timms to reveal what had happened to their daughter. With no body ever recovered, her parents have remained hopeful that some day, some way they’ll be reunited with their precious daughter again. ”

  A picture of a small blonde-haired toddler appeared on the screen, snug in winter clothes and an oversized hat. Piper didn't notice as she was still in the process of inhaling her snack.

  Mark, however, couldn't take his eyes off of the picture as he gulped down his hot chocolate.

  “Hey Piper, don't you have a hat like that from before you went into the foster system?” His brown eyes were wide and his voiced hushed.

  Piper flecked crumbs from her mouth and shirt to avoid laughing at his chocolate mustache. “What?” She glanced at the screen and snorted. “Oh, yeah, but there's probably thousands of kids with the same hat, Mark.”

  He eyed her carefully. “Yeah, but how many of them are blonde and named Piper?”

  Piper snorted again. “Probably at least a few hundred, kid.”

  The credits began rolling on the screen. She poked his shoulder. “And now it's time for you to brush your teeth and get in bed.”

  He groaned but moved to do as she suggested. As comfortable as he was with his new family, he still didn't want to upset any of them too much.

  “Alright, Piper. You shouldn't stay up too late either.” He graced her with a gentle smile.

  “Don't worry, Mark, I won't,” she said as she returned his smile.

  Mark yawned and turned to make his way toward his room on the second floor.

  That night as Piper got ready for bed, she couldn't help but pull out the old fuzzy red hat she'd had since before she could remember. There was no way she believed she was the kid of some family like the Berings... but the show had made her think of the hat all the same. She sighed as she turned the hat inside out, looking at the faded writing on the tag that still faintly read ‘PIPER’.

  *****

  Selma rubbed at her eyes as she got off the phone. What an insufferable man.

  Her leather chair softly creaked as she leaned back and smoothed her hands over her desk. The coolness of the dark oak soothed her on most days. She stared blindly at her computer monitor.

  Having to deal with the assistant producer was a
small price to pay for the spot her client had gotten on his show, though Selma hadn't realized how arduous the weeks leading up to and after the airing of the episode would be.

  She'd briefly met him for The Unforgotten to go over the first wave of leads on Piper, none of which had borne fruit.

  Their most recent conversation had been interesting, though Selma doubted that lead would pan out either. It didn’t matter. She'd made a promise to Karen when she'd taken the older woman on as a client. No matter what, Selma would look into every scrap of information that could genuinely be about Piper.

  She sighed. She really hated to get Karen's hopes up but she dutifully decided to have a courier collect the package from the studio.

  From there, she'd hire some experts to evaluate the photo and test the provided hair. She circled the name Tate on her notepad; she would assess that particular aspect herself.

  She smiled a little at the thought of the young boy who had written and sent the letter in. At least this had the potential to be different from all the greedy people who'd been looking to cash in on the Bering family's grief and hope.

  She pursed her lips in thought as her fingertips traced the screen of her smartphone. She should at least tell Karen she was investigating another claim. Mind made up, she engaged the first number in her speed dial. It only took a few rings for the call to be answered.

  “Karen Bering.” The introduction was clipped, and Selma thought Karen must have answered without looking again.

  “Karen, how are you doing today?” Selma kindly inquired.

  “Oh Selma, it's you.” Karen's tone had warmed considerably. “I'm doing alright, although you'd think by now the paparazzi’s sudden fascination with Piper would have faded.”

  Selma sighed and fought against her natural rancor on the subject. “It must be a slow week. Those vultures have no respect.”

  Karen chuckled and opted to scold her younger friend. “Now, Selma, they're just trying to do their jobs the best they know how. In this economy everyone's having a tough time.”

  Selma narrowed her eyes and scowled. “You're far too soft on them, Karen.”

  “Yes, well. You and Derek are hard enough on them for all of us.”

  Selma grinned at the thought of Derek's overprotective nature, only for her mirth to fade. He had concrete reasons to be so protective of his family. The reminder filled Selma with sorrow.

  She gently cleared her throat. “Actually, I'm calling to let you know I'm looking into another lead. Don't get too hopeful, we're still in the earliest stages of investigating. I just wanted to let you know in case it somehow leaks.”

  The line was quiet. “Oh.”

  Selma’s lips pressed into a line. Karen was probably awash in many emotions, and sadly hope was probably next to nonexistent.

  “Try not to think too much about it, Karen, that's what I'm for. I'll do the worrying for you.” She hesitated. “Perhaps I could bring Ben by later? He misses his Auntie.”

  “That sounds absolutely lovely, Selma. What time will the two of you be stopping by?” There was a smile in her voice.

  Selma flicked her wrist to eye her thin silver watch. “How about five-thirty? Perhaps we could have dinner as well?”

  “Oh yes, that sounds perfect. I'll have the cook prepare his favorite mac and cheese.”

  Selma smiled; Karen did love to spoil Ben. “Alright, I'll see you then.”

  Upon hearing Karen’s own soft farewell, Selma hung up the phone and let her mind wander.

  Selma had adopted little Ben two years ago and she couldn't be happier. Karen was also completely enamored with him, and Selma liked to believe he helped soothe an age-old ache, if only a little. Ben was exactly what Karen needed on days like today.

  She considered it a travesty that Karen and Derek hadn't been able to conceive another child, and was aware of their reticence to adopt for fear that they would just be trying to replace the child they'd lost. Nothing or no one could ever replace Piper.

  Selma felt a little uncomfortable at the thought. She considered Karen and Derek to be like a second set of parents herself, but their relationship was fairly complicated.

  She shook her head to clear her thoughts, brushing a few stray strands of her short dark hair smoothly behind an ear. There was still a few hours of work to be done, and tempting as it was to check on her child and nanny down the hall, she should start looking into Piper Tate.

  *****

  The diner was half-full as Mark made his way past congenial regulars and on to the long counter that separated the eating area from the kitchen. He returned friendly greetings only halfheartedly.

  Piper was concerned as she watched him pass. He’d been acting strangely for the last several weeks. Any time she’d tried to talk to him about it she’d only gotten vague responses.

  “Shell?” she called out softly as she partially turned her head, unable to look away from where Mark had just sat down behind the counter.

  “What? I was trying to decide what to order,” came the sarcastic response. Shelly grudgingly pulled her attention away from the menu she didn’t need to look at and raised her arms to adjust her high ponytail. Several dark curls had already escaped and refused to be tamed.

  Shelly hadn’t been scheduled to work today but, as usual, she’d dropped by to keep Piper company around when business started to pick up, just in case. Piper was always silently pleased with the visits, even when Shelly was pretending to be an annoying customer.

  Especially now. “Do you know what’s up with Mark? You think he might be getting bullied again?”

  The menu was summarily dropped as Shelly stood up and moved to stand next to Piper. A frown marred her features as she scrutinized their little brother. “I hope not. Has he said anything to you?”

  “No, that’s why I asked you. I’ve talked to him a few times but he won’t tell me anything.” Piper didn’t bother trying to hide her worry.

  Shelly nudged her arm with a hand. “I’ve got this, no problem.” To emphasize her point, she playfully cracked her knuckles and rolled her head from side to side.

  Piper snorted and managed not to roll her eyes. If she couldn’t get Mark to talk, Shelly could. It didn’t matter as long as they figured out what was wrong.

  She returned to her duties attending tables, half her attention still focused on where Mark and Shelly were hunched over their stools. They seemed to be having an animated conversation, and Piper was finally able to release the tension in her shoulders when Shelly sent her a subtle ‘thumbs up’.

  *****

  Selma frowned as she stared at her inbox. After many delays, the lab was finally getting around to testing the hair sample. She couldn't explain her sudden anxiety or impatience. It had been weeks since she'd become aware of Piper Tate—weeks that had been spent combing through the young woman’s life.

  Piper Tate, formerly Piper Smith, had been found wandering around a gas station when she was five. After parents and relatives had failed to claim her, she’d been put into the foster system.

  From there she’d bounced around foster families and group homes, never quite finding her place until Dorothy Tate had taken her and another girl in at the age of fourteen. Anecdotal information pointed to behavioral and personality issues, but Selma knew what the system could be like.

  She had worked with her fair share of misplaced children and blended families over the years, had seen and heard plenty of difficult stories.

  Selma didn’t like to think about what might have happened if she hadn’t been in the right place at the right time to be there for Ben.

  As she looked down at Piper Tate’s file, she couldn’t help but wonder if that could have been his life. Though, at least this Piper had found a home. She bit her lip. This Piper was around the right age, and did have features in common with both Karen and Derek.

  On the one hand, she hoped this Piper was the right one. On the other… Piper Tate had already been through so much.

  Her phone r
ang and she absently answered it. “Selma Flores.”

  “Miss Flores, I believe we spoke on the phone yesterday. The results have indicated a conclusive match.”

  Selma twisted her chair away from her desk, already on her feet. “You’re sure?”

  “99.99% sure,” came the technician’s dry response. “We’ll have physical copies of the results sent to the addresses you provided.”

  “Yes, of course,” she said before ending the call and exiting her office. This wasn’t news she would tell Karen over the phone.

  *****