Suspicions Read Free Page A

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