Gingerbread Man: A Marlow and Sage Mystery (A Nursery Rhyme Suspense Book 1)

by Lee Strauss

  “Like digital DNA.”

  “Like that.”

  “I think I know what to do.” Sage kept typing code over code. I couldn’t help fidgeting while I waited. Sage cut a look to my bouncing knees and I forced myself to go still.

  “Here,” she said. “This thread embedded here. I think that’s him.”

  I smiled. “Gotcha.”

  “What should we do?” she asked.

  “Message him back. Tell him that we know who he is.”

  She glanced at me with alarm. “But we don’t.”

  “He doesn’t know that. Maybe it’ll flush him out. Just make sure you cover your trail. Piggy back your message to IP addresses all over the globe.”

  Sage nodded like she knew what I meant. It took her awhile, but she finally sat back with a satisfied sigh. “It’s sent.”

  39

  

  Sage

  Now that we had done what we set out to do, sitting so close to each other felt uncomfortable. I excused myself and used the bathroom. When I returned I stretched out on my bed. Marlow never moved from his spot on the chair. He was spaced out again. He did that a lot. I guess that was to be expected in someone who suddenly found himself in another universe.

  I still couldn’t believe his story, but I couldn’t not believe it either. I scratched at my arms. My nerves were shattered with Teagan’s disappearance. My mind seemed determined to go to the darkest place. Some evil guy had her and was doing something awful to her. Or worse, she was dead in a ditch somewhere.

  I was aware of the statistics. The more time that elapsed after she went missing the more likely the outcome would be terrible. I pressed my palms into my eyes. I felt like a horrible friend. I had virtually ignored her these last few weeks, running off with Nora, partying, and all the while Teagan was being stalked.

  “Should I leave?”

  Marlow’s voice brought me back. I’d almost forgotten he was there.

  “Where would you go?”

  “I don’t know. Is there a shelter somewhere?”

  “A shelter? Like for dogs?”

  “No, for homeless people.”

  “We don’t have a lot of homeless.” I checked the time. It was past midnight. “It’s probably too late to start looking anyway.”

  “Can I sleep in the lounge?”

  “No. That’s strictly forbidden. Security will kick you out.” I stared at Teagan’s empty bed. “You could stay here.”

  Marlow’s head jerked my way and his eyes popped open. “With you?”

  It came out in kind of a squeak. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “I promise I don’t bite. Besides, I’d rather not be alone.”

  Marlow’s gaze moved from my face to Teagan’s bed and back again. “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely. It’s settled.” I scampered out of my bed to my dresser and removed a pair of pajamas. “I’m going to use the shower.”

  The shower felt luxurious and a wave of guilt washed over me with the warm water as I thought about Teagan. Did she have a place to sleep? To shower? How badly was the Gingerbread Man treating her?

  Because as much as I hated the guy for taking her, the idea that he had her somewhere, out of the elements and alive, was a better option than the alternative.

  I dried off and dressed and brushed my teeth. I combed out my hair and blow-dried it until it was almost dry.

  I stepped out of the bathroom and motioned to the door. “It’s all yours.”

  Marlow’s jaw dropped and his cheeks flushed red. That was when I remembered I was wearing nothing but a pair of pajama shorts and a skimpy camisole with no bra. I wrapped my arms across my chest and skipped to my bed, slipping under the covers. I could feel Marlow’s eyes follow me.

  “What?” I snapped.

  He pulled his gaze away sharply and ran for the bathroom. I heard the shower go, his second one of the day, but I expected this one was cold.

  I felt bad. Ben had told me how easy it was for a guy to get turned on, but I just forgot. It’s not that way for girls. I mean I get turned on, but it doesn’t happen with one look. Rooming with Marlow could be more complicated than I first thought.

  I turned the light off on my side of the room and pretended to be asleep when Marlow finally emerged. He wore only boxers since his pajama pants remained in my hamper. Note to self, do laundry tomorrow.

  Marlow removed his glasses and placed them on Teagan’s night table. He leaned against two pillows propped against the wall and clasped his hands together on his chest. He was skinny but not without muscle. I was actually surprised by how toned he was.

  “You could get your eyes fixed while you’re here,” I said.

  His eyes darted my way. “I thought you were sleeping.”

  “Not quite. What about it?”

  “About what?” he asked.

  “Get your eyes fixed.”

  “Just walk into a clinic, no ID?”

  I leaned up on my elbow. “You have ID, just not on you.”

  He glanced at me again, then shook his head in frustration.

  “You can’t see me, can you?” I asked.

  “I don’t need to see you. I’m going to sleep.”

  “Mars, when else will you get the chance to get it done at no cost to you?”

  He frowned, and I couldn’t help but think he was kind of cute.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked.

  “We borrow the ID of Marlow Henry who lives here, who’s in the system. You go in as him.” I relaxed onto my back. “No harm, no foul.”

  “And how do we get our hands on his ID?”

  I wiggled my fingers at him and waved to my laptop. “Just leave it to me.”

  When he didn’t respond, I pressed my point. “I had the procedure done when I was twelve. It’s not a big deal, I mean, if you’re afraid of pain or something.”

  “I’m not afraid of pain.” He sighed, tiredly. “I’ll consider it.”

  I left him alone after that and promptly fell asleep. When I awoke in the morning Marlow was already awake and dressed and sitting at Teagan’s desk with my laptop.

  “I hope you don’t mind my borrowing it,” he said.

  “Sure. Any news?” I asked hopefully.

  My heart dropped when Marlow shook his head. “No. I’m afraid not.”

  “I guess I better get up and get those posters made.” I whipped my covers off and Marlow held out a flat palm. He stared off to the side, refusing to look at me. “If you don’t mind lending me the money, I’ll go make a coffee run. No offense, but the coffee in the lounge sucks.”

  I pulled my covers back over my body and reached for my purse. There was something refreshing about seeing a guy being so modest. I pulled out a couple bills.

  “I’m covered up, Mars. You can look at me.”

  He glanced down with an embarrassed blush and took the money. “I hope I can pay you back somehow,” he said.

  “Just helping me to find Teagan is help enough.”

  “Okay, good.” He pulled up his hood and tucked it down over his brow before leaving. The guy was a geek, but a cute geek.

  No time to entertain such frivolous thoughts. Teagan was still out there. I hurried to the bathroom. I wanted to make sure I was fully dressed and ready before Marlow returned.

  40

  

  Marlow

  I welcomed the cold snap of wind to my face when I headed outdoors. Java Junkie was nearby and I moved in that direction. I fingered the money in my pocket, glad to get out of that dorm. It smelled too much like girl.

  What was the matter with me? The whole reason I was here was because I’d grown attached to Teagan. She was the girl I wanted to see, not her roommate. It frustrated me that Sage’s mere presence affected me the way it did. I wished there was a switch I could turn off. Sage was attractive and sexy in a way I didn’t think she realized.

  I slapped my face and picked up my pace. I needed a coffee, bad. I had to clear my head and stay focused. F
irst priority: find Teagan. Second priority: find a way home.

  I kept my head down. The cool fall weather was a helpful ruse. Everyone wore thick coats or sweaters with chins buried into scarves. Except for my oversized jeans, I sort of fit in.

  I spotted a small convenience store and ducked in to buy a toothbrush. I didn’t want to kill Sage with my breath, and I almost knocked myself out when I woke up this morning.

  The line at Java Junkie was long, so I didn’t notice who was at the front of it until it was almost too late. My roommate and best bud, Zed Zabinski, turned from the counter with a green breakfast smoothie in hand. I fought back a chuckle. So he liked those disgusting drinks in both realms?

  I swiveled my back toward him as he passed by and watched as he pushed through the glass door. It felt weird to not call out to him. He looked just like my Zed. It made me wonder for the millionth time how I was going to get back to my world.

  I was beginning to think that running outside into the storm was a mistake. What was I thinking? That I’d be some kind of big hero, swoop in, rescue Teagan and save the day? So far I’d done nothing much to help. Sage’s hacking skills were beyond mine, so she didn’t need me for that. I had no clue how to go about finding a lost girl and every time I opened my mouth, I just got stern looks from Sage.

  Why was I here?

  I pushed back at the heaviness that settled on my chest and focused on the menu. When I reached the front of the line I ordered two coffees and two breakfast sandwiches.

  Carrying the small bag and Sage’s coffee in one hand, I sipped at mine as I made the trek back. Sage was heading up a flyer blitz across the campus and into neighboring communities.

  I wasn’t going to go. It could get ugly if someone recognized me. Plus, I had something else I wanted to do.

  Thankfully, Sage was fully dressed when I got back. She had black-framed glasses on and I did a double take when I saw her.

  “Those make you look different,” I said as I handed over her coffee.

  “I know,” she said. “That’s why I like them. People take me more seriously when I wear them.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, especially guys. For some reason, glasses work as a barrier. I get far fewer unwanted advances with them on.”

  I pushed my glasses up. “So that explains things.” I grinned. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer for eye surgery after all.”

  “Ha, ha.” She unwrapped her sandwich. I was already halfway through mine.

  “That’s not why I suggested it,” she said after chewing. “It’s for your convenience. And ultimately it’ll save you money since you don’t have to keep buying eyewear.”

  “You keep buying them.”

  “Just frames with clear lenses. They’re cheap.”

  I finished my breakfast and produced the toothbrush I’d purchased. “I hope you don’t mind that I bought one of these?”

  Sage feigned relief. “Thank God!”

  “Do you mind if I use your toothpaste?” I was just being polite. I’d borrowed some the night before and finger brushed.

  “Go ahead.”

  Sage’s small printer was going strong when I returned. Page after page of Teagan’s face spit out. Sage carefully placed them into a tall pile.

  “Ben organized a team. We’re meeting her parents at the dining hall in twenty minutes.”

  “I’m going to hang back, if you don’t mind. It’s best if I don’t show my face to too many people around here.”

  Her dark eyes cut to mine. “What are you going to do?”

  “Visit the physics lab.”

  “Oh? What do you hope to find there?”

  “I don’t know.” I shrugged, knowing it was a long shot. “Help getting home?”

  She nodded like she understood. Sadness shrouded her, and I wished there was something I could do to lift it. I knew the only thing that would really help was finding Teagan alive.

  “Any word from the Gingerbread Man?” I asked.

  “I was so busy making flyers, I completely forgot.”

  Sage typed into her laptop and brought up her encrypted message board.

  I sucked in a breath. I honestly didn’t think that Sage could do it, but the evidence was there in black and white on her screen.

  @gingerbreadman to @Ifoundyou: Nice handle if a little misguided. You see, I know you didn’t find me. But I’ve found you.

  41

  

  Teagan

  Teagan’s breath came out in short puffs, producing small smoke-like ghosts in the cold room. Her body shivered violently. Sweat dried to her temples. She itched with no way to scratch it out. She’d wrestled against her bonds, but no amount of fighting would set her free. Teagan’s wrists burned behind her back, and her shoulders ached. Her feet had gone to sleep. Every part of her body hurt.

  She peed her pants.

  What did he think she was, a machine? Just leave her tied up for hours on end, alone in a dark room, tied to a chair, with nothing to do but watch the fire go out?

  Teagan gagged at her own smell. Urine, nervous sweat, dry breath. Good. She hoped she stank to high heaven. She hoped she was a real turn off.

  She screamed until her voice was gone, but no one came to her rescue. She had no idea where she was, but wherever it was, she was alone.

  She was going to freeze to death.

  Which was preferable to what she knew was coming. Either way, she was going to die.

  She’d seen his face. She knew who he was.

  42

  

  Sage

  Marlow spoke with an edge of deep dread to his voice. “Don’t write him back.”

  “But…”

  “Don’t! It’s bad enough he has Teagan. This guy is a psychopath. And now he wants you.”

  I gave into a voluntary tremble at his words.

  Marlow straightened and pushed his glasses up on his nose. I was beginning to see this was a nervous habit rather than a case of slippery specs.

  “You should call the cops,” he said.

  “I can’t. I hacked him. It’s illegal. Besides, he’s bluffing.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Because I know how this works. I’ve covered my tracks. There’s no way he knows who I am, or where this message came from. Just like we don’t know who or where he is.”

  I typed quickly before I lost courage.

  @Ifoundyou: Who are you?

  He must have been sitting at his computer waiting for me to respond because his response was lightning quick.

  @gingerbreadman: ha ha. I thought you knew.

  @Ifoundyou: Where is Teagan?

  @gingerbreadman: She’s safe and sound. Well safe anyway.

  @Ifoundyou: Why did you take her?

  @gingerbreadman: You ask a lot of questions. She’s a means to an end.

  @Ifoundyou: What end is that?

  @gingerbreadman: REVENGE

  I gasped and glanced up at Marlow who stood close behind me, reading over my shoulder.

  “I’m hoping to get him to reveal a clue.” My voice came out in a dry whisper.

  Marlow nodded. “Keep him talking.”

  @Ifoundyou: What does Teagan have to do with it?

  @gingerbreadman: Ask her mother.

  I sucked in a breath.

  @Ifoundyou: What does Mrs. Lake have to do with anything?

  I tapped my desk with my fingertips, waiting nervously for his reply. Marlow rubbed the stubble on his face.

  Nothing. I cracked my knuckles. Marlow removed his glasses and cleaned them with the edge of his shirt.

  I felt deflated. “He’s not answering back.”

  “He gave us the clue we wanted.”

  “Mrs. Lake?”

  Marlow nodded. “I’m not surprised, somehow. When I asked her if she had any enemies, she looked…”

  “Scared?”

  He nodded. “Scared.”

  I checked the time and jumped to my feet. “I gotta go.”


  “Right,” Marlow said. “So, we should talk to Mrs. Lake again soon.”

  “I’ll talk to her at the blitz. I’ll find a way to get her alone.”

  Marlow stared down at me with a softness that made me feel warm inside. “Sage?”

  “Yes?”

  “Be careful.”

  43

  

  Marlow

  A large crowd gathered outside the dining hall. Good. I’d admonished Sage to stay with a group of people at all times, preferably her hulky, football-playing brother. I hiked up my pants and walked on by.

  I’d made the trek to the physics lab so many times I could do it in my sleep, but once I got to the front door, I paused. I had no idea what I thought I would find there. Professor Garvin, likely. Would he be able to tell I’m not the Marlow Henry from this world?

  I hiked up my jeans again.

  Probably. The Marlow Henry from this realm wouldn’t be caught dead wearing these clothes.

  I slipped inside the building and padded quietly down the hall until I got to the lab. I tested the door. It was unlocked, and I peeked inside. There was one person, a guy, wearing a lab coat. His back was turned to me.

  Emboldened, I stepped inside.

  “Hey,” I said.

  The guy turned around and I blinked. Blaine Tucker?

  He looked at me incredulously. “Marlow?”

  I lifted my chin. “Blaine.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Just, I don’t know, checking things out.”

  He smirked. “Regret dropping the class?”

  I dropped out of physics?

  “Um, yeah, you could say that.”

  “There’s always next semester,” he said.

  He turned back to his project and I decided to probe a little. “What are you working on?”

  He jerked his head like he didn’t have time for me and my questions, but then answered anyway.