Suspicions (2 page)

Setting the camellia down next to the
answering machine, she reached for the recent portrait of her
family. She was in the center of the picture, sitting on a bench,
with Nikki on her lap, Robby standing on her left, and her husband,
Jason, straddling the bench on her right, his arm draped around her
shoulders. Hope in the future flooded her heart as she looked at
her family. Even though they sometimes drove her crazy, she
wouldn't trade them for anything.

Her eyes settled on her own image and she
smiled. She thought she looked younger than her twenty-nine years.
Her large brown eyes sparkled with intelligence and she remembered
what had prompted the broad smile she wore in the picture: Jason
had given her a beautiful bouquet of long-stemmed yellow roses that
day, with a note telling her how much he loved her.

Gazing at the family photo, Stacey thought
about her marriage to Jason and felt a twinge of sadness mix with
the optimism she had felt moments before. Their ninth anniversary
was the next week but their relationship had seemed strained lately
and she didn’t know why.

Sudden pounding on her front door jarred
Stacey out of her reverie. She set the photo down and pushed back
from the desk as the knocking became louder and more insistent.

“I'm coming, I'm coming,” she yelled at the
door.

Standing on her front porch was her friend
and neighbor, Amanda Stone. Although her blond hair was in a
perfect French braid, her blue eyes showed sharp worry. “Have you
seen Kyle?” she blurted.

Stacey was surprised by the question. Very
protective of her only child, Amanda usually knew exactly where
Kyle was.

Stacey shook her head, feeling sudden unease
herself. “No. Why? What's wrong?”

Concern creased Amanda's brow. “He should
have been home twenty minutes ago. Mrs. Hershfield said she sent
him home at three forty-five.” Amanda paused. “Is Robby here?
Didn't he stay after and help Mrs. Hershfield too?”

“He’s here. He was grounded today so I didn’t
let him stay after.”

“I wish I'd known that,” Amanda said. “I
would've walked Kyle home from school myself.”

“I’m sorry. I . . . I didn’t think to tell
you.” Stacey suddenly felt somehow responsible for what was going
on. She invited Amanda in and had to shove aside a pile of laundry
to make room for them to sit on the couch. “Have you called his
other friends?”

“Yes, of course. In fact, I tried calling you
but your line was busy.” Tears filled her eyes. “No one's seen him
since he left the school.”

Stacey handed her a tissue. “I had to make
some calls for . . .” She let her words trail off, realizing Amanda
didn't care why she had been on the phone. “What about the boys'
treehouse? Have you checked there?”

Amanda wiped her eyes, then carefully folded
the used tissue as she spoke. “He wasn't there.” She bit her lip as
a new thought seemed to occur to her, and fresh hope filled her
eyes. “I didn't look around the orchard though. Do you think he
could be playing in the orchard?”

“Well, there's only one way to find out. Come
on.” Stacey stood. “I'll help you look.”

“Thank you. I'd really appreciate that.”

“Do you want to go ahead? I need to get Nikki
and Robby ready.”

Amanda agreed to meet Stacey there.

Watching Amanda hurry down the street, Stacey
felt anxiety wash over her. She turned from the window to gather
her own children.

She found Nikki coloring a picture at the
kitchen table. She held it up for her mother to see. “Look, Mommy.
I drawed a picture of our family.”

“Drew a picture, Nikki,” Stacey automatically
corrected. “And it’s beautiful. But right now I need you to get
your shoes on. We’re going on a walk.”

“Okay!” Nikki dashed out of the kitchen and
down the hall to her room.

Stacey followed her out and went to Robby's
bedroom where he was driving his toy cars on a road he'd
constructed. Apparently he didn't hear Stacey come in because when
she spoke his name he jumped.

“Mom, you scared me!”

Stacey squatted down beside him. “Sorry,
buddy. I didn't mean to. Please put your shoes on. We, uh, we're
going on a walk.”

To Stacey's surprise, Robby obeyed without
comment.

“Kyle's mom needs our help,” she added.

Robby glanced at his mother, then looked back
at his feet and continued pulling on his socks.

“Have you seen Kyle, Robby?”

He stopped mid-pull and stared at his feet,
but then softly answered, “No.”

“Are you sure? His mother is really worried.
He, uh, he hasn't come home from school yet.”

Robby's hands froze for the briefest of
seconds, so briefly that Stacey thought she had imagined the
hesitation. Then he shook his head so imperceptibly it almost
seemed as if he hadn't heard the question.

“Robby, if you know something about where
Kyle is, it's very important you tell me.”

He looked up at her, unshed tears glistening
in his eyes. “I told you, Mom. I don't know where he is.”

As she looked at her young son's face she
wondered why he seemed so upset. “Okay, Robby. Come on out into the
living room when you're ready.”

When she got no response she went into the
living room where Nikki was arranging her dolls in a baby stroller.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart, but you need to leave the stroller here
this time.”

“But, Mommy,” she cried.

Stacey felt her nerves stretch with tension.
“Go see if Robby's ready.”

Nikki stomped down the hall.

Stacey's heart softened at the angry look on
Nikki's face as she returned to the living room, followed by Robby.
Nikki was angry, but at least she was home.

As the three of them walked down the
driveway, Stacey noticed Robby's reluctance to leave their
yard.

“Mom? Can I just stay here?” He whined.

Stacey let out a sigh, not wanting to deal
with his petulance when Amanda needed her help.

Five minutes later, after getting another
neighbor to watch the children, Stacey joined Amanda in the nearby
walnut orchard.

“Any luck?” Stacey asked Amanda, who was
walking up and down the rows of trees.

She shook her head. “I'm going to check the
treehouse again.”

The two women approached the structure in
silence. An eerie feeling settled over Stacey as the short ladder
came into view. Maybe it was just the unusual stillness, but Stacey
felt a prickle of fear nonetheless.

Amanda went up first. Almost immediately
Stacey heard her let out a gasp. Climbing up the rungs to get a
look at what Amanda had found, Stacey felt her heart race but was
relieved when she saw what Amanda had discovered.

It was sitting in the corner. Amanda picked
it up and held it out for Stacey to see.

“What's that doing here?” Stacey asked as she
took Robby's jacket from Amanda's hand.

“Maybe Robby was here today, which could mean
Kyle might have been, too.”

Stacey examined the jacket. “He has a couple
of jackets, so it's doubtful this is the one he was wearing today.
I mean, he is grounded. As far as I know, he's been in his room
ever since he got home from school. In fact, after you left I
specifically asked him if he had seen Kyle and he said no.”

Amanda's gaze rested on Stacey. “Kyle
wouldn't come here without Robby.”

“Are you sure?” Stacey asked. “What about
that time we were out of town? I thought you'd told me he had come
here by himself.”

Amanda bit her lip. “That's right. I'd
forgotten about that.”

“Is it possible he met a new friend and went
to his house?”

Seeming less certain, Amanda shook her head
as she moved toward the ladder. “He knows to check in with me
first. Of course, you never know. . .”

The women stood at the base of the short
ladder and glanced around.

“What do you want to do now?” Stacey
asked.

Amanda stared off into the distance. “I guess
we head back.”

As the two women entered Amanda's house she
called out, “Kyle! Kyle, are you home?”

The silence was palpable.

“I'm going to see if there are any messages
on the machine,” Amanda said.

Following her to the kitchen, Stacey saw a
red light flashing on the answering machine. Amanda punched the
button and an unfamiliar voice said, “This is Dr. Peterson's office
calling to remind Mr. Stone of his appointment tomorrow
afternoon.”

Amanda's shoulders sagged in disappointment
as Stacey led her into the breakfast nook and had her sit down.

“Please don't worry, Amanda. I'm sure he's
fine. In fact, maybe Mark picked him up and took him somewhere,”
Stacey said, referring to Amanda's husband.

Amanda seemed to consider the idea. “I hadn't
thought of that. But I'm sure he would've told me so I wouldn't
worry.”

Stacey glanced at her watch. “I hate to do
this to you, but I need to pick up Robby and Nikki. Michael's mom
said she had to go somewhere and couldn't watch them for long.
You're welcome to come back over to my place if you want.”

Amanda hesitated.

“Unless you wanted to wait for Mark?” When
Amanda remained silent Stacey asked, “You have spoken to him,
haven't you?” Stacey's gaze was drawn to the hem of Amanda's blouse
where Amanda's fingers plucked and pulled in an unsuccessful search
for lint.

“No. I . . . I tried calling him at work, but
they said he wasn't there.”

“He's probably on campus somewhere. Can't
they page him on the p.a. system or something?”

“They tried but he didn't respond. And he's
not answering his cell phone either.” Her fingers stopped moving
and she sat up straight. “Why can't I find him when I need
him?”

“He'll probably be home soon. But in the
meantime do you want to come to my place?”

“What if Kyle comes home? He won't know where
I am,” Amanda said, her voice cracking with anxiety.

“Do you mind if I bring Robby and Nikki over
here then?”

“No, that would be fine.”

“Okay, I'll be back in a minute.” Stacey
dashed across the street to her own house to leave a note for her
husband, then went to get Robby and Nikki.

Once the children had gone outside to play in
the Stone's backyard, Stacey returned to the kitchen. Amanda was
pacing back and forth, wringing her hands. Stacey watched her, the
agitation becoming contagious.

Amanda stopped in front of the phone, staring
at it for a few seconds. “That's it. I'm calling the police.”

The seriousness of the situation settled over
Stacey as she looked at Amanda's face and listened to her words.
Yet her mind refused to believe things were so grim that the police
were needed. “Do you want to try to call Mark again first?”

Amanda hesitated. “I guess I could try once
more.”

Stacey watched Amanda dial the high school,
wondering what she would do if Robby was this late coming home from
school. She knew she would want Jason with her, whatever she
did.

Amanda was put on hold as they tried to page
Mark again.

There was a knock at the front door. “Do you
want me to get that?” Stacey asked.

“Please,” Amanda said.

Stacey opened the door to find her husband
standing on the porch. At six feet he was a head taller than Stacey
and she had to stand on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. He looked
down at her with blue eyes that always reminded her of a clear day.
Reaching her arms around his neck, her fingers brushed against his
light brown hair.

“Hi, honey,” Stacey said, forcing
cheerfulness into her voice. “How was work? Sell any cars?”

Grinning, he pulled her close. “Just one
today.”

His strong grip comforted her and she was
able to forget Amanda for a few precious seconds. She pulled back,
one eyebrow lifted in mock disappointment. “Just one?”

He frowned faintly. “It might have been two,
but I had to run an errand this afternoon.”

“What kind of errand?”

His grin was back. “Nothing you need to worry
about.” Looking over her shoulder he asked, “What’s going on around
here?”

She glanced behind her, reality crashing in.
“I need to be here for Amanda.”

“What for? Does she need your help making one
of those gourmet dinners?”

She grimaced. “Jason, she's really
upset.”

“Why?” he asked, his face serious. “What’s
going on?”

“Kyle hasn't come home from school yet,”
Stacey said. “I'm starting to get really worried. I can only
imagine how Amanda's feeling.”

“Yeah,” Jason said, his eyes concerned. “Hey,
where are Robby and Nikki?”

“They're here. That's why I left that note.
Can you take them home?”

“Sure. Is Mark here?” Jason looked over
Stacey's shoulder again.

“No, and Amanda's having trouble finding
him.”

He glanced at his watch. It read four
forty-five. “Shouldn't he be home by now? I thought teachers got
home in the afternoon.”

Stacey's shoulders lifted in a shrug. “Wait
here. I'll get Robby and Nikki.”

A few minutes later Jason, Stacey, and the
children stepped onto the Stone's front porch. A late model red car
was just pulling into Jason and Stacey's driveway.

“I wonder what she's doing here,” Stacey
said, stepping off the porch.

Jason followed her gaze as a tall, slender
woman stepped out of the car. She was in her mid thirties although
she looked much younger. Wearing a dark blue tailored business suit
and spiked heels, her blond hair was perfectly coifed and her
make-up was flawless.

Jason and the children followed Stacey as she
crossed the street to their house.

“Hi, Patricia,” Stacey said, trying to sound
happy to see her Beautiful You director. “What can I do for
you?”

Patricia glanced at Stacey then looked over
at Jason. “Hi, how are you?”

“Fine,” he said, a tight smile on his lips.
He turned to Stacey. “I'll just take the kids inside. Let me know
if you hear anything.”