Her Surprise Sister

by Marta Perry

  She nodded toward the boy, her gaze meeting Landon’s. “It looks to me as if Tommy Fisher wants to talk to you,” she said quietly. “He’s bound to be shy about being involved in anything, but if he knows something, he might tell you.”

  Landon hesitated, as if getting information from a reluctant thirteen-year-old was not something he felt capable of. Then he moved casually toward the boy.

  Praying silently, Violet watched them, trying not to let the boy catch her.

  Please, Father, if he knows anything that will help us find Tracey, let him open up. Help him to see that her safety is more important than any teenage code of silence.

  Landon put his hand on the boy’s shoulder, bending over to talk quietly to him. After a moment, the two of them walked toward Violet, Landon’s hand still on Tommy’s shoulder.

  “Tommy says he might be able to help.” He patted the boy’s shoulder. “You can tell us, whatever it is. You want to help us keep Tracey safe, don’t you?”

  Tommy nodded, staring down at his frayed sneakers. “I don’t want to get nobody in trouble,” he mumbled.

  Bob Benton seemed to think that was directed at him. “I’m not looking to punish Tracey,” he said. “I just want to find her and get her home to her mama.”

  “Come on, Tommy.” Landon urged gently. “You heard. You’re not getting her in trouble. You’re helping her.”

  Tommy sniffed, and Violet suddenly realized he was on the verge of tears and didn’t want anyone to know. “I heard them talking before Tracey came in.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Out in the alley.”

  “Heard who?” Landon urged. “Who was Tracey with?”

  Tommy sniffed again. “Sam. Sam Donner.”

  Violet heard the sudden intake of Landon’s breath and saw him stiffen. He was undoubtedly thinking what she was. What if Sam had been drinking?

  “What were they going to do?” she asked. “How did Tracey get out of the building?”

  A tear slid down one cheek, out of Tommy’s control. “I heard him tell her to go out that back door that goes into the church. He done somethin’ to the bell so it wouldn’t ring. Said it’d be a good joke. He’d be waiting in his car, and they’d go for a ride.”

  “Had he been drinking?” Landon’s voice was incredibly harsh, and Tommy recoiled.

  “It’s okay, Tommy,” she said quickly. “You can tell us.”

  “I dunno. Maybe.” He shrugged, studying his sneakers again.

  “Do you have any idea where they were going on this ride?” Her thoughts ran rapidly over the places where teens were known to congregate.

  “That’s all I know, honest, Ms. Vi. Can I go? My mom’s gonna skin me if I’m not home on time.”

  “That’s okay, Tommy. You can go home now.” She touched his shoulder lightly, wanting to ruffle his hair but knowing he’d think himself too old for that gesture. “You were a big help. If your mom gives you grief about being late, I’ll tell her what happened, okay?”

  Tommy nodded and then bolted away from them. But he stopped at the door. “I hope Tracey’s okay,” he said, and darted out into the dark.

  “We’ll have to start looking for them,” Pastor Jeb said. “If that boy’s been drinking, Tracey shouldn’t be in a car with him.”

  “If I catch up with him, he’s not gonna be going with any girls in cars for a while.” Bob Benton’s big hands curled into fists.

  “We need to get moving,” Landon said abruptly. “Go in pairs, so one person can drive while the other one looks for any sign of them.”

  Pastor Jeb nodded. “Right. Harriet, you’d best call Sheriff Cole and get his people out. You can send the rest of these kids home. Now pair up, everyone.”

  “Violet, can you come with me?” Landon’s voice was as impersonal as if she were a stranger. “I don’t know the area, and you do.”

  A thousand reasons why that wasn’t a good idea crowded Violet’s mind, but Tracey’s safety was more important than her feelings. She nodded and followed him out to his car.

  By the time they were pulling out of the lot, other duos had started getting into cars. She glimpsed Harriet at the gym door, talking to a group of concerned parents. If she knew her town, there would soon be a number of people out looking.

  Tracey would undoubtedly find it embarrassing that half the town knew what she’d done, but that was part of living in a place like this—you didn’t get any anonymity. But you did get a lot of people who cared what happened to you.

  “Which way?” Landon said, his voice clipped.

  “Turn right, then right again. We’ll head out to Blue Lake. That’s a popular place for kids to go and park.”

  He followed her directions without comment, but by the time he was on the road out of town, he couldn’t seem to keep quiet any longer. “What would possess her to go off with a boy like Sam? You’d think she could see him for what he is.”

  At least he was accepting the fact that Tracey bore some responsibility for her actions, which was more than he’d done in regard to his sister. Did he realize the dichotomy in his attitude?

  “Tracey’s been vulnerable lately. She probably liked the attention from an older boy. Girls do stupid things sometimes, even though they know it’s wrong.”

  “Vulnerable how?”

  “Tracey hasn’t told me the whole story, but I do know her parents have been fighting. She asked me if she’d have to go back to Mexico if her mother wanted to go.”

  Landon shot a look at her. “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “There wasn’t anything you could do, and she only told me on my promise to keep quiet. Which I’m breaking.” She shook her head. “But this situation is too serious for keeping secrets now.”

  Landon nodded, his profile stern in the dim light. “How much farther is it?”

  “There’s a turnoff to the right about a mile down the road. It’s just a lane, so you’d better slow down.”

  Landon’s hands were tight on the wheel, but he slowed down as she’d said. Soon she spotted the end of a fence that marked the lane.

  “There—right where that white post is.” She gripped the door handle as he turned down the narrow, rutted lane. “If they are there, what are we going to do? We can’t force Tracey to go with us.”

  “She’ll come.” Landon’s tone was faintly threatening.

  They bounced in a rut, Violet’s head nearly hitting the roof of the car. Just as she thought her bones were going to shake apart, they emerged onto the roughly cleared space that overlooked the small, man-made lake.

  As she might have imagined, there were three vehicles parked there, spaced apart. She eyed them quickly. “I don’t think they’re here. Sam drives a beat-up, old black pickup.”

  “He could have borrowed a car.” Landon slid out, taking a flashlight. “Are you coming?”

  Obviously she was. They approached the first car, Violet feeling a bit of trepidation.

  At least the kids in the car didn’t react violently when Landon tapped on the window with his flashlight. The driver rolled the window down.

  “We’re not—” he began, and then stopped. “What’s going on, man? You’re not the cops.”

  “I’m looking for Sam Donner. Have you seen him?”

  The boy’s gaze slid away from Landon’s. “Can’t say as I have.”

  Violet stepped forward into the light. “Jesse Halstrom. I’m surprised to see you here.” She waited a second, letting him register the fact that not only did she know him, she had been his Sunday School teacher last year. “What were you saying about Sam Donner?”

  Jesse cleared his throat. “Hey, Ms. Vi. I…I was just going to say that I spotted that rattletrap he calls a truck headed down Goose Hollow Road maybe an hour or so ago. Going way too fast.”

  Landon headed for his car. “Come on.”

  “Thank you, Jesse.” Violet hurried after him.

  * * *

  Landon took the road Violet indicated, trying not to let his anxiety affect
the pressure of his foot on the gas pedal. They wouldn’t do anyone any good if they had an accident.

  Violet was on her cell phone talking to the reverend, who was coordinating the search. “All right. Thanks, Pastor Jeb. We’ll be in touch.” She cut the connection.

  “Any news from the search party?”

  “Nothing yet. So far we seem to be the only ones with a lead.”

  He nodded. “How far ahead is this road?”

  “About another mile.”

  Something about Violet’s voice made him glance at her. “Aren’t you sure?”

  “I’m sure about where the road is,” she said. “I’m just wondering if we’re scaring ourselves unnecessarily. After all, we don’t have any proof that Sam’s been drinking.”

  “Are you willing to take that chance?” he demanded.

  “No, of course not. I guess I’m just trying to find some hope to cling to. Even if Sam was drinking, that doesn’t mean he’ll have an accident.”

  So she knew that was his fear. He gritted his teeth, never wanting to live through that particular pain again. Tracey wasn’t his sister, but he’d still feel he’d failed her if the worst happened.

  “You couldn’t have known this was going to happen,” Violet said, as if she knew what he was thinking. “You don’t know these kids anywhere near as well as I do, and I had no idea Tracey was interested in Sam Donner.”

  He glanced at her, hearing the guilt in her voice. “You couldn’t have known, either, Violet. Don’t beat yourself up over it.” The anger he’d felt toward her earlier was subsiding, drowned in the more immediate emergency.

  “There’s the turn,” she said, leaning forward and pointing.

  He swung into the road. It pitched sharply downward, the trees thick on either side. It was like falling into a well. He couldn’t see anything except the short stretch of road within range of his headlight beams.

  “This is a terrible road.” Violet stated the obvious. “Better slow down—” Her voice choked on the word.

  And then he saw what she had, and his own throat seemed to close. A vehicle, off the road, half in a gully, hood against a tree, its headlamps slanting upward to stab the sky.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Landon was out of the car almost before he’d brought it to a stop, leaving the door swinging. Violet grabbed her cell phone, calling 911 as she ran toward the pickup. She rattled off the directions, reaching Landon’s side with the dispatcher’s assurances ringing in her ears.

  “They’re on their way,” she said. “Tracey?”

  “I can’t see her.” Landon handed her the flashlight and yanked at the door. It stuck, and he braced his foot against the frame and pulled. The door shrieked and opened.

  Heart pounding, wordless prayers forming, Violet aimed the flashlight beam into the truck.

  Sam Donner blinked against the light, blood trickling from a gash on his head. He groaned. “Wha…wh…”

  Violet could smell the beer from outside the pickup. She flashed the light over the rest of the interior. Tracey wasn’t there.

  “If she was thrown out—” Landon muttered, fear in his voice. He grasped Sam’s shoulder. “Where’s Tracey? Answer me. What happened to Tracey?”

  Violet caught his hand, his pain pummeling her as well. Landon was reliving his sister’s death—how could he help it in circumstances like this?

  “Don’t, Landon.” She pulled his hand away. “We don’t know how badly he’s injured. Let me.”

  For a moment she thought Landon wasn’t even hearing her. Then he stepped back and she edged past him.

  She touched Sam’s cheek, fearful of a head injury. He wasn’t in immediate danger of being hurt worse, so they probably shouldn’t try to move him.

  “Sam,” she said urgently. “Sam…listen to me. Where’s Tracey?”

  “T-Tracey?” he muttered.

  “Tracey Benton. You left the church with her. Where is she? Was she in the truck with you?”

  He didn’t answer. This was useless—they should start searching. Where would Tracey be if she’d been thrown out?

  “Where is she?” Landon demanded. He sounded as if he had control of himself again.

  Sam seemed to rouse. “Tracey.” He frowned, his head moving side to side. “Said I was drunk. I‘m not. Let her out.”

  A wave of relief swept through Violet. “Where, Sam?” She patted his cheek. “You’re hurt, but the ambulance is on its way. Now tell us where Tracey got out so we can find her.” She could already hear the siren, coming ever closer.

  Sam’s eyes closed. If he didn’t answer they’d be left searching the county for Tracey, not knowing…

  “Jenkins’ Mill,” he muttered. “She got out.”

  “Where’s Jenkins’ Mill?” Landon growled. “She’s out there by herself. Anything could happen.”

  Violet wanted to protest that this was Grasslands, not the city, but bad things could happen anywhere. She stepped back as the sheriff’s car, siren wailing, pulled up, closely followed by the EMTs.

  “The mill is on the edge of town. We’ll find her.”

  A few minutes later they were back in Landon’s car headed for town, leaving Sam in the capable hands of the EMTs.

  “At least this might force Sam to get the help he needs,” she said.

  Landon’s hands tightened on the wheel, and she knew he was seeing the boy who’d been responsible for his sister’s death instead of Sam. Fresh pain pierced her heart. What could she say to him?

  “Let’s hope so,” he said finally. “We’re almost at the edge of town. Keep looking along the road.”

  Landon slowed the car, and she focused on the area ahead of them, watching for any sign of movement. No one seemed to be out in this area at night—it was mostly businesses, closed at this hour.

  They were nearing the church when she grabbed Landon’s arm. “Look, there. In the doorway of the flower shop.”

  Landon braked, stopping at the curb. Tracey huddled forlornly against the flower shop door, arms wrapped around herself.

  Thank You, Lord. Violet slid out and approached Tracey, struggling to get her voice under control before she spoke.

  “Hey, Tracey.” She put her arm around the girl. “It’s all right. We’re so glad to find you.”

  Landon approached cautiously. “Are you okay, Tracey?”

  Tracey nodded, wiping tears away with her palms. “I…I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do.”

  Violet hugged her. “It sounds to me as if you did just right. You realized Sam had been drinking and you made him let you out.”

  “I’m so ashamed.” A fresh bout of tears flowed. “I sneaked out of Teen Scene and now you’ll never let me back in again. It was too far to walk home, and I couldn’t find any place open to call. I was afraid to go to a house where I didn’t know the people…and I didn’t know what to do!”

  The litany ended on a wail, and Tracey buried her face in Violet’s shoulder and sobbed.

  Violet couldn’t help but smile at Landon even as she tried to comfort the girl. The recital was such a mixture of woes that she didn’t know where to begin dealing with it.

  Landon’s face was unreadable in the dim light. He pulled out his cell phone.

  “Listen, Tracey.” She held the teen by both shoulders. “You made a mistake, okay? And you’re sorry. You handled it well, once you knew you were in too deep. That’s the important thing. Now Mr. Derringer is going to let the people who are searching know you’re okay, and then we’re going to take you home.”

  Tracey’s lips trembled. “Daddy will yell, and Mama will cry, and—”

  “I promise, if they do, it’s only because they were scared to death something bad happened to you.” She kept her tone firm and practical, sensing that was the best way to deal with Tracey’s overflowing emotions. “Come on now.” She piloted the girl to the car.

  Landon slid behind the wheel. “The sheriff is calling off the search party, and Tracey’s father will meet us at their
house.”

  “What about Sam?” she asked.

  Tracey leaned forward in the backseat, distracted from her own misery. “Did something happen to Sam?”

  “He wrecked his truck,” Landon said. “The EMTs took him to the hospital, but they don’t think it’s anything serious.”

  “I told him he shouldn’t be driving. Maybe, if I hadn’t got out, he wouldn’t have crashed.”

  “Don’t think that way.” Landon spoke sharply, probably out of his own memories. “You did the right thing. If you hadn’t gotten out of that pickup, you’d be the one on the way to the hospital. Or maybe the morgue.”

  “Landon…” Violet intervened.

  “It’s true, and Tracey needs to understand that.” He was uncompromising. “Listen to me, Tracey, because I know what I’m talking about. My sister Jessie was just about your age when she got into a car with a boy who was drunk. But she didn’t have your common sense. She didn’t get out, and she died because of that. So don’t ever think it would have made a difference if you’d stayed.”

  He’d actually spoken of his sister. Violet’s emotions tumbled and she fought to stay in control.

  “I…I’m sorry.” Tracey’s voice was very small. “About your sister.”

  Landon nodded, and they rode the rest of the way to the mobile home park where Tracey lived in silence, except for the necessary directions.

  Violet studied Landon’s face as they went up the walk with Tracey, but he had his stoic mask on, not giving anything away. This night had put his deepest grief through the wringer, and she wasn’t sure how he was going to react to that. He must be tempted just to get into his car and hightail it back to Fort Worth, in order to forget she and this place ever existed.

  * * *

  Landon declined the second cup of coffee that Maria Benton tried to force on him. He was never going to sleep tonight as it was. He’d have headed out once they’d delivered Tracey to her parents, but Violet clearly had something on her mind.

  Now Violet sat on the threadbare couch, reaching out to pat Tracey’s hand where she sat with her mother’s arm around her. “I’m sure you’d like for us to get out of here,” she said. “But I think there’s something we should bring out into the open before anything else happens.”