Suspicions Read Free

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