CALL MAMA Read Free

somewhere.”
    â€œHoney, the hospitals have been checked and they haven’t been taken there. It’s all so confusing!”

Chapter 3
    On the shores of a lake, many miles from the scene of the mysterious disappearance of Lucy Mears, the weather had abated slightly. The campervan had come to a halt, allowing the occupants a few days’ respite from further travelling and an opportunity to assess their situation.
    â€œPerhaps we ought to cut back on the sedation,” suggested the man, “to one drop a day. The kid has never been fully alert, she poses no problem and we do not want to overdose.”
    They decided in future to administer only one evening dose. As if on cue, the girl rallied and through slurred speech struggled to implore once again, “Call Mama.”
    For several more days, the trio continued to live by the lakeside, secure in the knowledge that poor weather and their secluded position would afford them total privacy. With the reduction in sedation, Lucy Mears slowly emerged from her trance-like state to the realization of her plight with two people she had never seen before.
    ***
    Both detectives Harvey and Carr interviewed Ken Farmer. He was a refined man in his late sixties, a confirmed bachelor, he informed his enquirers, married to his music. He had been giving Lucy Mears cello lessons from an early age, having been alerted to her talent by her school music teacher, a fellow member of the local orchestra. He was upset to hear of Lucy’s disappearance and could not offer any insight as to where she might be.
    â€œI came to the house, as usual, only to be told she wasn’t available for her lesson.”
    The distraught man became silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, then continued.
    â€œI found that strange, as I was always informed in advance of any change of plans.”
    At the time Lucy vanished, he had been in his local library where he had spent a good part of the afternoon researching his passion: the history and restoration of musical instruments.
    The librarian, a rather stern woman, looked aghast at the mere thought of someone questioning the sweet man. She was a tall, extremely thin person. She wore her grey hair in a middle parting, pulled back off her face and tied in a bun that was held in place with a butterfly clasp. Her half-moon glasses perched on her sharp nose gave her a look of superiority, which no one would dare question.
    â€œHe sat over there at his usual table in the corner, where he read in total privacy. I made sure no one disturbed him. He comes here regularly; you can set your watch by him.”
    Detective Carr suspected that perhaps she was secretly in love!
    Later, Lucy’s friend Abigail felt able to answer some questions and, in the presence of her mother, told of the last time she saw her best friend.
    â€œIt was break and we were having lunch. We talked and planned for the sleepover. Lucy was so excited to be coming to mine. She loved being with Mom and me. We were going to eat pizza, see a movie and Mom was to pick us up after that to bring us back here for a sleepover.” Abigail continued with her account. “Lucy was in music class after lunch. I was at my art class, so I didn’t see her again. I expected to see her in the locker room at the end of the school day, but when she wasn’t there I thought her class had finished early and she had gone off with her ride.”
    Detective Carr paused from asking questions to allow the upset girl to compose herself.
    â€œTake your time, Abigail, you’re doing really well. Carry on when you feel ready.”
    â€œLucy was to be picked up as usual by car. She was never allowed to walk home, unlike Abigail who normally walked the short distance,” volunteered Gina.
    Abigail continued. “I was surprised to get Lucy’s text saying she was sick and taking a rain check. I tried to call back, but a message said the number was unobtainable. It was