Lost and Found

by Colleen Coble

  She couldn’t help but notice Caycie in the front row, but Trevor and Josh weren’t beside her.

  Bree put her hand on Emily’s shoulder. “One of your own, Emily O’Reilly, is my star pupil. Even though she’s young, she has a real heart for helping other people. She listens well to directions and doesn’t rush ahead of what I tell her. She’s going to demonstrate how far young Sherlock has come. He’s only been in training a few weeks, but he’s going to be an outstanding search dog in a few years.”

  Emily dared a peek up at Bree, who was smiling proudly. “Now?”

  Bree nodded. “Go ahead.”

  In front of the tunnel, Emily unclipped Sherlock’s leash. “Tunnel, boy!”

  The puppy nosed at something in the grass. “Leave it,” Emily hissed. “Tunnel!” She pointed at the opening.

  Sherlock yipped, then dashed into the tunnel. She breathed a sigh of relief. For a second, she thought she’d be the laughingstock of the school. Again.

  The tunnel moved as Sherlock raced through it. She moved around to the other side and clapped her hands. Sherlock barked when he exited the tunnel.

  “Good boy!” She slipped him a treat from her pocket, then led him to the ladder that went to the balance beam.

  His tail held high, he sniffed the base of the ladder, then looked up at her. “Climb,” she said. He put his front paws on the first rung, then whined. “You can do it. Climb!” Slowly, he began to scramble up the ladder. He paused at the top and looked back at her. She moved to the other end of the balance beam. “Come, Sherlock. Walk.”

  He delicately began to step along the beam. Two feet from the end, one foot slipped. He yelped and scrambled for his balance. Emily leaped forward to help, but it was too late. With a final yelp, he pitched to the ground.

  Her heart pounding, she dropped to her knees beside him. “Sherlock!” He licked her face and whined, then got up, tail wagging.

  Kids were laughing and pointing, and her cheeks burned. But Rachel smiled at her and gave Emily a thumbs-up.

  “You can do it, boy,” Emily whispered when they reached the wall with the window. “Jump!”

  But the puppy put his tail between his legs and refused to even try to leap to the windowsill. Biting her lip, Emily glanced at Bree, who didn’t seem embarrassed. But then it wasn’t her dog that had messed up.

  Bree walked over, then squatted down beside Sherlock. “Up.” Her voice was firm as she tugged on his collar.

  He put his head on his paws and stared at them with soulful eyes. Emily felt terrible. “What should I do?”

  “Go hide in the woods. We’ll do the search next. He does a good job.”

  “What if he refuses to come look for me?”

  Bree gave her a little shove. “It will be all right.” She turned to the crowd and raised her voice. “Remember, Sherlock here is just a pup, and he’s a little shy in the crowd. We’re going to demonstrate an actual search now. Emily is going to go just into the edge of the woods and hide. While she’s doing that, Samson will demonstrate the training we put the dogs through.”

  Only too glad to be away from all the stares, Emily jogged toward the tree line. The scent of pine and fallen leaves greeted her when she stepped into the shadows of the forest. Where should she hide? At the edge of a clearing where students could gather to watch would be ideal. She thought there was one right along this path.

  “Emily.”

  Her lungs squeezed, and she didn’t want to turn around, but she couldn’t help herself. She slowly turned to face her mother.

  “Marika.” Her voice was a strangled whisper. “Have you been following me? You need to stop. Dad said you aren’t supposed to contact me.”

  Her mother was as slim and beautiful as ever. Her eyes flashed, and her full lips covered in red lipstick tipped in a smile. “I’ve missed you, Emily. And look how much you’ve grown. You’re starting to fill out early too, just like me. The boys will start flocking around, if they haven’t already. I could give you some tips.”

  Tips from Marika were the last thing Emily wanted. She grimaced at the observation and wrapped her arms across her chest. “What do you want?”

  Marika shrugged, and she took a step closer. “To see you, of course. You can talk your father into letting me see you and Timmy. He listens to you.”

  “I don’t want to see you! And neither does Timmy. You withheld his medicine so he’d get sick and Naomi would be blamed. What kind of mother is willing to hurt her own little boy like that?”

  Hurt flashed across Marika’s face. “Teenagers are so melodramatic. Timmy was fine. I knew it wouldn’t hurt him. Not really.”

  Emily backed away. “He could have died!” Tears burned her eyes. “And what about the school?”

  “What about it?”

  “Did you set the fire?”

  Marika straightened. “Oh, so now I’m an arsonist as well? You’re my daughter, Emily. I expected at least a small show of affection from you. I’ve changed. I have something important to share with you. Some news.”

  Marika’s words made Emily close her mouth. The Bible said to honor your parents, but what if they were dishonorable? What if they were criminals? What if your parent was willing to hurt you or your brother? What did God expect her to do then?

  Leaves crunching behind her made Emily turn. “Others are coming. I have to hide before the dogs get here. And you need to leave me alone.”

  But Marika was gone, leaving only shuddering branches from a nearby hawthorn bush in her wake.

  ELEVEN

  Emily laughed as Sherlock scrambled on the floor of the entry as she locked the front door behind her. “You silly puppy.”

  The house was silent. Dad and Naomi had already taken Matthew over to Grandma Heinonen’s to spend the night. Bree and Kade’s twins, Hannah and Hunter, were already safely at Anu Nicholls’s. Timmy would spend tonight with Dave after the homecoming celebration. She’d only returned home to bring Sherlock back and to change clothes.

  Sherlock raced to the living room, then to the kitchen, then to the back door with his nose in the air. He paused at each location, sniffed, then ran to the next. Then he started it all over again: living room, kitchen, back door.

  Emily glanced into the backyard . . . Charley wasn’t there yet. She’d hoped to see that Dr. Meeks had already dropped him off so she could love on him a little.

  She knelt and called Sherlock to her. She rubbed his chin. “Looking for Charley, buddy? Don’t worry. He should be home today.” God, thank you for letting him be okay. We all miss him, but especially Naomi and Timmy.

  She filled the dog bowl with fresh water, then headed to her room. Since she was alone and had a minute, she’d do some checking. Not research, because she could still hear Inetta’s warning in her head, but just checking. It wouldn’t hurt anything to just do some Internet surfing. She wasn’t going to do any searching on Charlotte Tarver.

  Emily’s laptop key made a little clicking noise as she hit the Enter button. She was thankful that last month Dad had given her his old laptop to do homework in her room, but it was slower than slow. Right now, she didn’t have all day. All she needed was to look for—

  Sherlock barked from the hallway, as ferociously as he could.

  Emily jumped, then laughed at herself. Sherlock probably saw his own shadow, silly puppy. She whistled for him.

  But Sherlock didn’t come and continued barking.

  Her mouth went dry, so she couldn’t whistle again. “Sherlock! Come!” She waited for a moment, but he still kept barking. She raised her voice and put more firmness in her tone. “Sherlock, come!”

  He came into the room but whined as he stared at the door, in the direction of Timmy’s bedroom. The fur on the back of his neck between his shoulder blades was raised.

  Emily knelt beside him and rubbed his head. “What is it, boy?” she whispered.

  He growled, low in his throat, his eyes never leaving the doorway as if he could see something in Timmy’s room. Se
e something that had his full attention.

  Now her mouth was really dry. He’d never acted like this before, not even when playing tug-of-war with Charley.

  Could someone be in the house?

  She stood, glancing around the room. She spied her cell phone on the desk. Should she call 911? Or maybe just Dad? Emily remained perfectly still, listening.

  Nothing.

  Sherlock still stood at alert, his gaze trained on the door to the hall.

  Emily’s heart pounded like it would jump right out of her chest. She didn’t hear anyone in the house, but she couldn’t explain Sherlock’s behavior. Obviously he saw or heard something she didn’t. What should she do?

  Sherlock raced from her room, barking like crazy, running straight for Timmy’s bedroom. His nails scraped against the floor.

  She didn’t even stop to think, just ran behind him. “Sherlock!” If something happened to him . . . Emily turned into Timmy’s room, fear converted into protectiveness.

  Woof! Woof! Woof!

  Sherlock growled at Timmy’s Batman costume lying across his desk chair, the mask hanging upside down just at the puppy’s eye level.

  Emily let out a breath of relief and laughed. She had thought maybe it was Marika. “Oh, Sherlock, that’s just Timmy’s costume. It’s nothing to be scared of.” She reached out and touched it.

  Sherlock jumped backward, then slipped as he lost traction on the slick floor.

  She laughed harder. “Come on, boy, it’s okay. Nothing’s going to get you.” But if she didn’t hurry back to the community center, Dad or Naomi were going to come looking for her.

  After a quick change of clothes, Emily shut her laptop and secured Sherlock in the backyard before locking the front door behind her. The sun was beginning to disappear on the horizon, so she jogged along Cottage Avenue at a pretty quick speed until she hit Houghton Street. Within seconds, she could make out the lights twinkling from the community center.

  The community center was the most beautiful building in all of Rock Harbor, with really cool high ceilings and fun corners to explore. Emily loved it. Ginormous chandeliers greeted her as she entered. The decorations they’d set out earlier in the week actually looked really nice with the dim lighting. The low light also made it easier to avoid the kids who’d been giving her a hard time at school.

  Emily moved among the crowd, looking for Dad and Naomi. She bumped into Rachel and her dad. “Hello, Emily. Bang-up job today at the History Smackdown exhibition.” Mr. Zinn’s fishing lodge was the corporate sponsor for the Smackdown team, and he never missed an opportunity to let the team members know he was always paying attention to their successes. No wonder Rachel felt like she could never live up to her dad’s expectations. He was really tough to impress.

  “Thank you. Have you seen my dad?” Maybe she could get away quicker, before he grilled her about the team’s upcoming meet.

  “I thought I saw him over by the refreshment table.”

  “Thanks. I need to find him.”

  Rachel stepped close beside her and whispered to her, “I’ve talked to a couple of people, and they understand why you told the principal about Drake’s jacket. I know some people are being really mean, but the rest of us get it. I’ve been telling anyone being mean to leave you alone—it’s Drake’s own fault he’s in trouble, not yours. Besides, the sheriff would have figured it out eventually with or without your help.”

  Emily smiled. “Thanks, Rachel. I really appreciate it.” And she did. Rachel didn’t have to do that.

  Rachel grinned back and shrugged. “It’s the right thing to do.”

  “Well, thanks.”

  “No problem. Now, go find your dad.”

  She made her way across the room.

  “Emily.”

  She looked over her shoulder to see who’d called her name and ran smack into someone. “I’m so sorry.” Emily looked at the man she’d clobbered. “Oh, Geoff. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

  Geoff Makinen worked cleanup at the SAR school while he worked his way through college at night. At least, that’s what Emily had heard Bree say about him.

  “Ought to watch where you’re going.” He frowned at her.

  “I’m so sorry.” What was his problem? He’d always been nice to her before. “Um, have you seen Naomi around?”

  His face scrunched up. “No, and I don’t care to.”

  What was up with him? Confusion held her tongue.

  “Oh, she didn’t tell you that she fired me this week, huh?” His tone was downright mean, matching his expression.

  “No.” Neither Naomi nor Bree had said anything. Then again, it wasn’t really her business, but still . . . it seemed odd that they hadn’t said something, even just a mention.

  “Yeah, she fired me. Without cause too, I might add.” He jerked his gaze over Emily’s head, then turned and disappeared into the crowd without further comment. Very odd.

  “There you are. We were about to get worried about you.” Naomi gave her a quick hug.

  So that’s why Geoff had rushed off.

  “Was Charley at home yet?” Naomi’s eyes twinkled with excitement.

  Emily shook her head.

  “Well, he should be there by the time we get home.” She smiled and grabbed Emily’s hand. “Come on, your dad’s grabbed us all some pullas and cider.” Naomi wove through the crowd, leading her to a table where Dad and Timmy sat.

  Emily dropped into the seat beside her brother. She nudged him. “Hey, twerp. Sherlock wanted to attack your Halloween costume.” She shared the episode as she sipped the warm apple cider.

  Timmy found the situation quite funny, but Dad obviously didn’t. His eyes darkened for a long moment. “Honey, you should have called me. If you’re ever in a situation that frightens you, call me.”

  “I know, Dad.” She needed to tell them about seeing Marika at the SAR demonstration. Emily opened her mouth to tell them, but Timmy laughed at that exact moment over a text he’d gotten. She couldn’t say anything about Marika in front of him. Not when he still had such nightmares about her. She’d tell Dad and Naomi tonight after the celebration, when Timmy was over at Dave’s.

  Her cell went off. She checked the text message . . . from Inetta.

  are you at the center?

  She texted back: yes. r u?

  The band took the stage and began to play. Dad and Naomi got those goofy looks. Great. They were going to dance and embarrass her.

  Inetta’s reply came through: meet me at the copper room

  Emily’s fingers flew over her cell: on the way

  She stood and smiled at her brother. “I’m going to look around. Let Dad and Naomi know when they get back, okay?”

  “Can I have the rest of your pulla?” He didn’t wait for an answer before pulling her plate toward him and grabbing the bread.

  She laughed as she headed out of the main room and down the hallway. And ran into her. Dressed in a red dress and looking glamorously beautiful. “Hi, honey. You did really well at the Smackdown. I am so proud of you.”

  Emily couldn’t meet her gaze. “Thanks.”

  “This is a boring event. Want to slip out and get a mocha? I know how you love them, and no one will miss you.”

  How did Marika know Emily loved mochas? “No thanks. I—I need to meet someone.”

  Her mother’s eyes swam with tears. “Aren’t you ever going to forgive me, Emily? I’ve changed. Spend a little time with me, and you’ll see. We can do so many fun things together if you’ll let go of your grudge.”

  Emily gulped. Maybe it was time she just decided to forgive Marika and get over it. Hard as it might be. That’s what everyone told her to do. Wasn’t that what the Bible said to do? She cleared her throat and stared at her mother. “I have to go. I’ve got a SAR school demonstration.”

  Marika thrust a slip of paper into Emily’s hand. “Here’s my cell number. Call me later.”

  “There’s a restraining order against you. You’re not s
upposed to contact me or Timmy.”

  “You don’t have to say anything to your dad about this. No one has to know.”

  Emily went hot, then cold. “You want me to lie to Dad?”

  “It’s not a lie. It’s just not telling him something that might upset him.”

  Emily backed away. “You haven’t changed at all.” She rushed off to find Inetta.

  All of the rooms in the community center were named, and each name had something to do with Rock Harbor, and each was decorated with a theme. There was the Snow King room done in all whites, even white carpet, with pictures of landscapes covered in snow. The Kitchigami room was decorated in various shades of green, and the photos on its walls were of forest scenes. The Ottawa room, which was Emily’s favorite, was done up in Native American decor. The Big Sea Water room had varying shades of blue and pictures of Lake Superior. And the last room on the right was the Copper room, decorated with memorabilia from Rock Harbor’s early settlement.

  “Hey,” Inetta said as soon as Emily stepped into the Copper room.

  No lights were on in the room, and the streetlights shot beams through the window, casting shadows on the walls.

  Inetta looked her over. “Are you all right? You saw your mother, didn’t you?”

  “You saw her too?”

  Inetta nodded. “She seems determined to make amends.”

  Emily hunched her shoulders. Inetta just didn’t understand. “I don’t want to talk about her right now. What’s up?”

  Inetta pressed her lips together. “You haven’t looked into Charlotte Tarver anymore, have you?”

  Emily shook her head. She’d looked a few things up, but nothing about Charlotte.

  “Good. I got confirmation that Charlotte Tarver did hire the investigator to look into me.” Her face lost her usual smile. “Emily, the investigator she hired isn’t exactly a good character. I’ve done a little background checking myself, and this guy doesn’t play.”