Vanishing Act

Vanishing Act by Barbara Block Page B

Book: Vanishing Act by Barbara Block Read Free Book Online
Authors: Barbara Block
Tags: Mystery
Ads: Link
white curtains, a row of teddy bears sitting on the heat register, a desk, a chair full of clothes, and two made-up beds. A boy with a military haircut was lying on his side on the one closest to the window, reading.
    â€œI’m looking for Beth Wright,” I said after I knocked.
    The boy sat up and swung his legs over the bed. “She’s not here.”
    â€œSo I see.” I smelled pizza and some sort of floral perfume as I took a step inside the room. I could tell from the way the kid looked at me, he didn’t like me in there. “Maybe you can help me,” I asked before he could say anything.
    â€œPossibly.” He studied me, his expression guarded, waiting to see what was coming next.
    â€œDid you know Melissa Hayes?”
    â€œWhy do you want to know?”
    â€œHer brother hired me to find her. I’d like to ask you a few questions if I may.”
    The boy put a bookmark in his book, closed it, and stood up. Despite the T-shirt, jeans, and two pierced ears, his bearing was military. “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?”
    â€œI hope not.”
    â€œYou really think you can locate her?”
    â€œIf I didn’t, I wouldn’t have taken the job.” I pointed to the sugar glider’s cage. “I’m surprised that he’s still here.”
    The boy’s face softened slightly. “Well, Melissa’s brother didn’t want him, and since her mother is sick, Beth didn’t know what else to do.”
    â€œAnd her new roommate doesn’t care?”
    â€œNo, ma’am. She likes him.”
    I went over to the sugar glider’s cage and peered in. The little animal was curled up in its sleeping box. All I saw was a tiny ball of silvery gray fur.
    â€œHe’s noctural,” the boy explained.
    â€œI know.” I straightened up. “Do you mind my asking who you are?”
    â€œNo, ma’am.” He came to attention. “I’m Chris Furst, a friend of Beth’s.” A soldier on the parade ground. The only thing missing was the salute.
    â€œAre you a student here?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.”
    Getting this kid to talk was definitely going to be a trick and a half. “Did you know Melissa?”
    He nodded.
    â€œDid you know her well?”
    The sound of rap music from down the hall seeped into the room while Chris thought. He obviously wasn’t someone given to unconsidered statements. “As well as anyone, I expect,” he finally said. “She pretty much kept to herself.”
    â€œI’ve gathered as much. What do you think happened to her?”
    â€œAt first I thought she just took some extra vacation time, but obviously that didn’t turn out to be the case.”
    â€œWas anything bothering her?”
    Chris ran a hand over the top of his brush cut. “Such as what?”
    â€œI don’t know, that’s why I’m asking you.” When Chris didn’t answer, I added, “I’m never going to find her if I don’t get some help.”
    â€œIt probably doesn’t matter much now anyway.”
    â€œDoes that mean you think she’s dead?”
    â€œMaybe she just doesn’t want to be found.”
    â€œWhy do you think that?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œAre you sure?” I caught his gaze and held it. After moment he looked away.
    What he said next, he said begrudgingly, measuring out each word. “She was upset.”
    I waited. A phone began ringing. After eight rings it stopped and another one started.
    â€œBeth told me she used to cry in her sleep a lot. Beth told her she should go talk to a counselor at the health center. She kept saying she would, but I don’t think she ever did.”
    â€œDo you have any idea why she was crying?”
    Chris looked embarrassed. “Well, her mother is ... you know.” Death as the unmentionable.
    I nodded to show I did. “But is there anything

Similar Books

Much Ado About Muffin

Victoria Hamilton

Broken Series

Dawn Pendleton

Futile Efforts

Tom Piccirilli

0451416325

Heather Blake