by Dorie Graham
“Shit. Excuse me, I’m sorry. Yes, of course I’ll bring her by. I’m sure she’ll be completely cooperative.” Chase jotted down the officer’s name, where the precinct was located and the case number before ending the call.
Cursing under his breath, he texted Kara. She was probably still in class and unable to receive phone calls, but hopefully she’d get back to him at her next break.
* * *
THE DIGITAL DISPLAY on the stove clicked over to six twenty-five as Chase paced the kitchen and tried to call Kara one more time. His concern growing, he left her another voice mail.
“Kara, you have got to call me. I called the ice cream shop, but they said you weren’t working tonight. I’m heading to the school to look for you. I doubt you’re there this late, but I’m not sure where else to look. I’m really concerned and need to talk to you.”
With a shake of his head, he grabbed his keys and headed out the door. Atlanta traffic was still heavy as he navigated I-75 onto the connector. Seeing an opening, he swung into a clear lane and managed to make it to Kara’s high school within twenty minutes. He rolled through the parking lot, not sure where to start, so he parked in a section that still had cars. As he approached the building strains of music floated in the air. He pushed through the glass side door and followed the sound down a hall to an auditorium.
He peeked his head inside. Numerous kids dotted the tiered seats, while an orchestra rehearsed onstage. He scanned both the seats and the stage, but Kara was nowhere to be found. A tall dark-skinned boy passed Chase on his way out of the auditorium.
Chase exited and hurried after the boy. “Excuse me.”
The boy turned and gave him a questioning look.
“Do you happen to know Kara Anders?”
“Kara?” The boy’s eyebrows knitted. “I don’t think so. Sorry.”
“It’s cool, thanks. Are there kids anywhere else here?”
The boy’s expression brightened. “I think there’s track practice out in the high field.”
He directed Chase to where the practice was, and then wished him luck. Chase thanked him, but his stomach had a bad feeling as he surveyed the field. Kara wouldn’t have had any interest in any of these events.
Where could she be? He checked his phone display again, but no new message alerts had appeared in the past five minutes since he’d last checked it. Inhaling a deep breath he called his father. Could she have gone back there for more cleaning and Roy time, as she liked to call it?
He counted four rings and then it rolled into his father’s voice mail. “Hey, Dad, I’m...looking for Kara. She’s late getting home and hasn’t checked in. I’m a little worried about her, so if by some chance she happens to show up there, could you please have her call me? It’s very important. Thanks and hope you’re doing okay.”
He hung up and frowned. If he didn’t hear back from his father soon, maybe he should stop by there. He tried to ignore the little voice in his head that reminded him his father never answered the phone when he was drinking. At least the man was staying out of trouble with the law these days. And hopefully, he was sober and attending his meetings.
The mall. He blew out a breath and headed to his car. Kara was a teenage girl and teenage girls liked to hang out at the mall. That she was grounded and not supposed to be hanging out at the mall sent a dose of doubt coursing through him, but he continued there anyway.
Half an hour later he strode into the food court, scanning the tables and food kiosks as he moved through the area. By the time he’d circled halfway through the top floor, passing not only teens in packs, teens in couples and teens in small clusters, but also families with small children, and older couples who spread out along the walkway, moving at a slow shuffle, panic had set in. How would he ever find her?
Gritting his teeth, he headed again for his car. He had as much of a chance of finding her here as he had of finding a needle in a haystack. The quiet of the parking garage was a welcome relief after the chaos of the mall. He drew a calming breath. Where next?
This wasn’t the first time Kara had gone missing, but the sick feeling in his gut told him something wasn’t right with the girl this time. He swung by his father’s house on his way home.
The house was quiet when he pulled into the driveway. The door was open, as usual. The scent of pine filled the air. Was that from Kara’s cleaning yesterday or had she returned after school?
“Dad?”
A chair scraped the floor in the kitchen. “In here.”
“Hey,” Chase said. “Did you get my voice mail? I’m looking for Kara.”
“No, I’m sorry, I haven’t seen her today.” His father sat at the kitchen table, a pen and pad of paper before him.
“I’m really worried about her. Did she say anything yesterday about plans she might have today?”
His father frowned and shook his head. “Not that I remember. She likes to talk, though.”
“What did she talk about? Did she mention anyone?” Chase grabbed the back of a chair. “I should know who she’s hanging out with.”
“It isn’t easy being responsible for someone, is it? And that one has a wild streak, always did, even when she was a wee bit of nothing.”
“I don’t know if wild is the right word. She’s more of a free spirit, and I need to find her.” He gestured to the spiral notebook where his father had written almost a complete page. “What are you writing?”
“Oh.” His father closed the notebook and tucked his pen in the spiral binding. “It’s homework...twelve step stuff.”
“That’s great, Dad. I’m glad to see you’re sticking to it.” Guilt from doubting his father earlier when the police had called filled him. “You can do it.”
A small smile curved his father’s lips. “Thank you, son. I appreciate that.” His eyebrows arched. “You should call Alexandra. Kara talked about her nonstop. She really likes her. Maybe she knows where she is.”
The knot in Chase’s stomach tightened. He closed his eyes briefly. “I’m not so sure Alex wants to hear from me right now.”
“Uh-oh, did you two have a fight? I thought you were getting along. From what Kara said Alex is still sweet on you. I’m sorry I was asleep when you came for Kara last night. How did the trip go?”
Chase hesitated. “It was...complicated. We found Aunt Rena and she was great, but we didn’t find a donor. Alex was pretty upset and then we had to hurry back, because Robert was in the hospital. He’s got pneumonia and to top everything off the tumors have spread.”
“That’s a tough break.”
“I really need to find Kara. The police want to question her in relation to some gang-related crimes.”
“My God, I knew that girl was trouble and she comes here sweet-talking me and trying to get in good with me. What is up with her?” His father’s eyes went wide behind his glasses.
“Now, let’s not judge until we know what’s going on,” Chase said.
“You need to find that girl. I’d call Alex if I were you.”
Slowly, Chase nodded. He hated to admit it, but he did need Alex. “You’re right,” he said as he pulled out his phone. “I’ll call her.”
* * *
IT WAS EARLY EVENING before Alex left the house. She’d spent the day cleaning and left knowing that whenever her father arrived home he’d at least have a clean home to return to. She parked in the far parking lot at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
A dragonfly hovered for a few seconds in front of her before zipping away. She stepped onto the gravel path at the end of the parking lot, beginning the familiar journey she’d taken so many times, usually on her own, but also often with Chase. Robert had first brought her here ages ago, back in their early years, when bicycles had been their main form of transportation. But then she’d continued to come, and Robert had moved on to other pursuits.
For Alex, the long hike through the woods was a calming experience. She inhaled deeply. With luck, the fresh air would wipe away th
e pounding in her head. She continued on the gravel path for another fifteen minutes before coming to the old footpath. The woods had grown all around it and the path itself hadn’t been as well maintained as the rest of the trails. She nearly missed it, passing it by and then circling back only when the graveled trail had taken an unfamiliar turn.
Sweeping aside a spiderweb, she moved forward on the pine-straw-covered path. The last time she’d been here had been when she’d learned about her parents’ divorce. She shook her head. The events of those times took on new meaning now.
How had her mother been so angry with her father when she’d done the same thing to him? Alex spent the rest of her journey to the river lost in thought, imagining her mother in the alternate life she’d lived without her family. Why would her father allow it? A part of her was absolutely angry over her mother’s actions. She felt betrayed, as if her happy family life had been a lie.
In spite of the shaded path, sweat dripped down her nose by the time she reached the river. Without hesitation, she pulled off her shoes and stepped into the water and her feet went numb with cold on entry. The river swirled around her shins.
She stepped along the rocks, carefully placing each foot, one in front of the other, feeling her way along the uneven river bottom, the soft moss squishing between her toes. She tied her sneakers together and draped them around her neck before making her way to where the water broke over an outcropping of rocks in the middle of the river. Geese drifted by near the far shore, passed by an occasional duck. A light breeze ruffled her hair as she slipped up onto the rocks, dangling her feet in the river. The water that had been painfully cold now felt amazingly refreshing. She inhaled deeply and let the peace and tranquility flow over her.
She’d come here so many times in the past, just for the sheer enjoyment of it. She and Chase had spent many summer days drifting in inner tubes, swimming and swinging from the rope swing tied to a branch overhanging the far shore.
She searched the bank, but found no sign of not only the rope swing, but the branch that had supported it. Melancholy filled her. Her days of fun and laughter had ended fifteen years ago when her family had fallen to pieces. Then this place had become a refuge for her, as it was now.
She stared into the water swirling around her ankles. Too bad she couldn’t stay here forever. Unfortunately, she had to decide what to do with herself. Should she pack up and head back to Baltimore?
Sighing, she swung her feet in circles, stirring ripples in the water. A crow cawed overhead as a bee buzzed by. She couldn’t leave. As much as she hated to admit it, Chase had been right. Yesterday had been full of turbulence. With all her family was going through with her brother they were living in a pressure cooker of emotions. She needed to cut everyone a little slack and then maybe they’d do the same for her.
She didn’t want to leave. And though she might be tempted to walk away from her family at this point, would she be able to live with herself if she did? What if things got even worse for Robert? What if he lost this battle? Then how would she feel?
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She checked the display and her pulse quickened. It was Chase.
She stared at her phone a long moment, before pressing Accept right before his call rolled to voice mail. “Hey.”
“Hey,” he said, his tone hesitant.
She closed her eyes. Why was he calling? Hadn’t he said it all last night?
“Have you had any more news on Robert?”
“I haven’t talked to anyone since I left the hospital,” she said. “But Steven called me this morning. Becky told him Robert is now a stage four and that the tumors may be encroaching on his lungs. I think they’re increasing the radiation until they find a donor.”
“I scheduled an appointment to have the typing done.”
She nodded, but made no reply. Her throat burned and the tears again threatened. “Thanks. You could probably call my dad directly to get an update.”
“Okay, I can do that. Actually, that wasn’t the only reason I called.” He paused. “Kara didn’t come home after school today and I’m worried about her.”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Chase. She’s a big girl, she’s street-smart and she’s been out on her own for a long time. She’s just not used to having to check in all the time. You need to give her more time to adjust.”
“The police want her for questioning.”
“Oh, my God, what do they want to question her about? Is she in some kind of trouble?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m worried. They want to question her about some break-ins and robberies. They say it’s gang related.”
“I’m so sorry. I’m out on the river. I don’t know where she is.”
He paused another moment and she thought she almost heard him smile. “Are you by the rope swing?”
“There is no more rope swing.”
“Oh,” he said and then cleared his throat. “Well, did she say anything to you, about where she likes to go, what she likes to do? I’ve called her work, looked at the school and the mall, and even checked at my dad’s. He’s actually the one who suggested I call you. He said all she did when she was at his place was talk about you. He thought maybe she might have said something to you that might help us find her.”
Alex frowned. What kind of trouble had the girl gotten involved with? “I don’t know. There’s a boy she likes. She said his name was...Bruce, I think that was it, and he’s blond, like her. She said they matched. I don’t know his last name, but he works at the ice cream parlor. Does that help?”
“I’m not sure, but maybe the police will know who he is and how to find him.”
“Chase...” She bit her lip. She wanted to be with him, to comfort him and help him find Kara, but did he want her there? And, besides, what more could she do, other than to just be a calm presence for him? She almost laughed. After the past twenty-four hours, if she were the calm one, then he was really in trouble.
“Alex, I know this is a lot to ask, especially after all that’s happened between us, but would you mind stopping by? I just think if she shows up, it’ll be easier for her if you’re here.”
Alex’s throat burned. He wanted her there, but for Kara, not for himself. She nodded a few times, before she could manage to speak without her voice betraying her emotions.
“Sure,” she said. “I’ll be right there.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
DUSK HAD FALLEN as Chase paced along the length of his porch. He’d called the police and admitted to them that Kara was missing and he hadn’t heard from her. He hated to do so, but given the circumstances and the knot in his gut that hadn’t let up since he’d first gotten the call from the police, he’d felt it was the only thing he could do. He’d given the officer who answered the phone the information on the mystery blond-headed boy that Alex had told him about.
He shook his head. He’d thought he’d known Kara, understood her in a way no one else had, but here was Alex, sweeping in after a fifteen-year absence, winning over the girl and getting her to confide her secret crush. Chase hadn’t even known Kara had a crush.
For the hundredth time, he checked his phone display. Still no message from Kara. And where was Alex? Under the circumstances, he probably shouldn’t have asked her to come over, but the police thought they knew who the boy was, a suspected gangbanger, and they were checking out all the places he frequented. All Chase could think of was the police descending on wherever the kid was and finding Kara there with him. She’d be completely freaked out and would likely feel betrayed that Chase had sent the police after them.
If that were the case, she was going to be a handful when she arrived home, and Chase felt better about having Alex with him as a show of solidarity. Headlights shone across the yard as a car pulled into his driveway. He squinted into the darkening night and surprise filled him. It was his father.
He exited the vehicle, seeming more nimble than he’d been previously, his usual shuffle replaced with a determined gait.
As he neared, he waved to Chase, asking, “Any news?”
Chase gestured for him to join him inside. “I called Alex, like you suggested. Kara wasn’t with her and she hadn’t seen her, but Kara had told her about a boy she likes. I gave his description to the police and they think they know who he is.”
His father frowned. “He’s in a gang?”
“If he’s who they think he is.” He offered his father a seat in his living room and took a seat at a right angle to him. “They were heading out to look for him the last I heard. I don’t know what would be worse, if they find Kara with him or they don’t.”
“There isn’t a chance she went back to her old foster home? Maybe she left something there?”
Chase shook his head. “The place is deserted, as far as I know, but I suppose it’s possible. She should be answering her phone, though.”
“Unless it died on her again.”
“True.”
“Well, I couldn’t sit by myself and wait to hear from you, so I thought I’d come hold vigil.” His gaze met Chase’s. “I know I’m a proven failure when it comes to being there for you, but I want you to know how much I appreciate how you’ve always been there for me, even when you shouldn’t have been.”
Gratitude clogged Chase’s throat. What was wrong with him that he kept getting emotional over everything? But that his father was there in a show of support for not only Chase, but for Kara, as well, was nearly overwhelming.
“Thanks, Dad,” he said. “I really appreciate that.” And then to lighten things up, he added, “I knew Kara would get to you. She’s a pain in the ass, but she’s a loveable pain in the ass.” He frowned. “I just want her to be okay.”
“I know you’re worried about her, son. I’ve said a prayer for her.”
Chase stared at his father in surprise. Those were words he’d never heard come out of the man’s mouth. “Did I just hear you say prayer?”
