“What about Caleb? Did you tell him?”
She nodded. “Yes, he knows.”
I felt a cold chill run up my spine. Although I was worried about my father getting his hands on my mom, I was also nervous about Caleb. What would he do to my dad? Was Caleb a murderer? I didn’t want my dad killed, just stopped and put away.
“Mom,” I said. “Let’s go home.”
***
Nathan was still working at the marina when we arrived back at the cabin sometime after six. On our way home I hadn’t seen any sign of Duncan’s truck at the side of the road, either, which was very odd, because I distinctively remembered the accident.
“That tree right there,” pointed my mom. “You were lying there, unconscious.”
I stared at it in confusion. Things weren’t making sense, and for the first time since we’d moved, I wanted to talk to Caleb.
“Mom,” I asked. “Is Caleb stopping by later tonight?”
“Not that I know of,” she said.
“Well, I’d like to talk to him,” I said.
She raised her eyebrows. “I could call him.”
I nodded. “Yeah, if you could.”
“Sure. Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat.”
I went over to the sectional and sunk down. My wrist was sore and so was my head. “Yeah, that’d be great, thanks.”
“Okay. Don’t forget to let Rosie know you won’t be in this week.”
“That’s right,” I said, reaching for my cell phone.
First I called Duncan’s phone but it went to voicemail, then I called the diner to let them know what had happened.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay, honey,” said Rosie. “You just take it easy now and when you’re ready to come back, you give me a call.”
“Rosie,” I asked, “you haven’t seen Ethan or any of his friends around lately, have you?”
“No, it’s been a couple of months since I’ve seen those boys. But there was a young man in last night asking about you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “A young man? Really?”
“Yes, about your age, really nice looking, too. I’ve never seen him before. I figured it was someone from school. He just asked if you were working and I told him you’d be in tonight. Obviously, you won’t.”
“I doubt it’s someone from school,” I murmured, wondering what that was all about.
“Well, he may come around again and I’ll try and get more information. By the way, you haven’t seen Duncan around, have you?” she asked. “Sonny stopped by earlier, just frantic with worry. I guess he’s missing now.”
I sighed. “No, I haven’t, not since last night.”
She sighed. “Dear God, I hope nothing happened to him, he’s such a nice boy. First, those girls were murdered Friday night, and now he’s missing. There are some strange things going on in this town.”
Thinking about the possibility of Duncan, who was so good and kind, being murdered made my eyes fill with tears. “There sure is.”
“Well, listen,” she said. “I’ve got to get going. Take care of yourself, and like I said, when you’re ready to come back, just call me.”
I brushed a stray tear from my cheek. “Thanks, Rosie.”
I hung up with her and went into the kitchen where my mother was currently fixing me a tuna fish sandwich. I sat down at the counter and watched her, wondering if she’d even eaten lately. She was thinner than ever.
“I spoke to Caleb,” she said, smiling brightly. “He said he’ll swing by around ten tonight.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
She leaned forward and brushed a strand of hair from my eyes. “Don’t worry, honey,” she said softly. “They’ll find Duncan. I know how much you care about him.”
As far as finding him went, I wasn’t so sure about that, but I also knew that Caleb was the only one who might have answers. I forced a smile. “I hope so.”
She went to the fridge, grabbed the milk, and poured us each a glass. Then she slid one over to me and sat down. “Just don’t give up hope. That’s what you’ve always told me.”
I stared at my sandwich and nodded. “Speaking of which, what are you going to do about dad?”
She looked at her milk and grimaced. “I don’t know. I’m not even positive that he or anyone else is really following me. Maybe it’s my imagination?”
“Maybe it’s Ethan. I told you he was here last night.”
She pushed her untouched glass of milk away. “That’s what he mentioned when I filled him in on what was happening. In fact, he doesn’t want either of us leaving the cabin until he gets over here tonight.”
“Mom,” I said, staring at her thin, bony cheeks. “When was the last time you ate?”
“I had some eggs for breakfast. I’ve just been kind of nauseated lately. Maybe I’m pregnant,” she said with a teasing smile.
I groaned. “No, don’t even say that. That’s cruel.”
Her eyes twinkled. “Oh, it wouldn’t be so bad, would it? The pitter patter of little feet, toys strung out everywhere. Reruns of Barney playing, over and over…”