* * *
The Faulkner house was dark when I got there, but that wasn't a surprise. I doubted they were home—not because of what Cathy said, but they probably were looking for her. I knocked—waited a few minutes and knocked again—nothing. So, okay, Cathy was probably right. I headed home.
Mom was in the kitchen when I got home. She looked up from her cup of coffee—hopeful. I know she could see the disappointment in my eyes, but she asked anyway. "Any word?"
"No, nothing."
"Well, I think we've all had enough excitement for one day."
"You okay, physically?" I'd forgot about Mom's heart condition.
"I'm fine, Jason. Things like this just wear me out these days—the stress, you know."
"Well, I'm sure a good night's sleep will help." I said.
"I'm sure it would, but I don't think either of us will be getting one of those until we know she's safe." She started up the stairs. Halfway up, she paused. "Jason, I'd really prefer it if you stay in the rest of the night."
I looked up at her, not wanting to lie.
"Well, if you must go out please be careful."
"I will. Tell you what, how about I promise to not go out alone?"
"You'd abide by that?"
"Absolutely. I won't go out alone and, I won't stray from our property unless I tell you."
"Bless you. I'll sleep a little better knowing that." She continued up the stairs and into her room.
I flipped on the TV, to kill time while I waited for one of the Faulkner's to make an appearance. I wasn't prepared for the montage they'd done on Izzy and me, complete with the picture of us holding the apple. They covered the game in the sports segment, but even that was linked to the amber alert that had been issued for Izzy. The police—the town was going all out to find her. I hit the mute button when I thought I heard something down by the creek. I half expected it to be one of the raccoon's again, but this was a rhythmic tapping. I immediately started for the back door. As I passed the steps, I thought of calling up to Mom, but decided not to wake her. Instead, I headed through the family room and out through the French doors in the guest room. I approached the creek quietly.
"Hello? Hello, is anyone there?"
Melanie stepped out from behind a tree. She must have seen the surprise in my face. "What, disappointed I'm not one of the boys?"
"No, yes, I guess—I don't know."
She scoffed.
"I know you're just as strong, as fast—"
"Faster, thank you very much."
"So, my bad." I said.
"You're bad what?"
"My bad for not giving you a chance."
"Oh—'my bad'—interesting, I'll have to remember that one."
"So any news?" I asked.
"I'm afraid it's not good. No sign of Izzy or that thing anywhere and—"
"It gets worse?"
"Tink and Hayley are gone. It's Hayley's fault I'm sure of it."
"Yeah, that sucks. He was a great asset.
"That sucks?" Melanie questioned my choice of words. "Oh never mind, my bad." She smiled at her cleverness.
"So, no sign of Izzy. I guess that's not that surprising. Cathy said he wanted her for bait. To me, that means she's safe at least for the time being and, we'll probably be hearing from him—what good is bait if you can't find it, right?"
Melanie thought for a moment. "You're sure about the bait thing?"
"Cathy's been dead on so far. Even got this one, just couldn't find Izzy in time to warn her."
"I need to tell the others."
"What about me?" I asked.
"We might need our own kind of bait." She winked.
"Anything. You know that."
"That sucks?"
I half laughed. "Not even close on that one."
She frowned, "Oh well. We'll be in touch."
"But—" There was no point in finishing, she was gone. I headed back toward he house.