“What does that mean, exactly?” Emily twirled her hair around her finger.
Her cell phone buzzed. She glanced at the caller ID, saw it was Timmy, and pressed the button to ignore the call. He probably wanted to ask some stupid question he and Dave had come up with to annoy her.
Inetta stared out the window into the darkness. “It means I should probably tell your folks what’s going on.”
“No!”
Inetta spun and narrowed her eyes. “Why? What’s the deal?”
How could she explain? “Olivia specifically asked us not to. We promised her.” Promises were gold. If one was broken . . . well, there’d be no more trust. “I can’t go back on my word. At least not until after her parents’ anniversary party. It’s only two weeks away.”
Her cell phone buzzed again, this time a text message from Timmy: where r u?
“I don’t know, Emily. This guy . . . he’s bad news. He has a criminal record. Breaking and entering, petty theft . . . he threatened a couple of people before.”
“Are you in danger?” Emily’s pulse spiked. Maybe they should tell Dad. If it were for Inetta’s safety, Olivia would understand, right?
“I don’t think so. My friend spoke to the investigator, so I think it’s all okay. For now.” She crossed her arms over her chest. I’ve also got my friend looking into Charlotte Tarver. I’ll have him see if there’s a connection between Charlotte and Mackenzie Barnes.” She narrowed her eyes again and pointed at Emily. “You be careful.”
Emily nodded as her cell phone went off again. Had to be Timmy again. She pressed Ignore.
“I’m serious. If I find out you made so much as one call, I’m telling your parents.” Inetta glanced out the window again. “I’m still not sure I shouldn’t tell them now anyway.”
“Just a couple more weeks. Once the Websters’ party is over, Olivia will talk to her parents and then everything will be out in the open. Okay?”
Inetta sighed. “Okay. For now. But if anything else turns up with a dangerous feel to it . . .”
“I know. We’ll tell them.” Emily smiled. “Thanks, Inetta. I’ve got to get back. Dad and Naomi will wonder where I ran off to.”
“I’ve got to head out myself. I’ll call you.”
Emily nodded and pulled out her cell to answer Timmy.
The missed call was Dad’s cell number. Uh-oh . . . the rule was she had to answer her cell if Dad or Naomi called.
“Stay in touch with me on this one. I mean it, Emily.”
Emily nodded and rushed from the room. Something serious was going on about Olivia and her adoption, and now that the homecoming celebration was winding down, she’d devote her energy to figuring out exactly what.
But first she had to see what Dad wanted. She hit the button to call him back.
She slipped into the main room to find the lights up and the band no longer playing. She moved into the room, waiting for the call to connect.
“Emily! Where are you? Is Naomi with you?” Dad sounded a bit frantic.
“No, she’s not with me. I’m by the main door. Why? What’s going on?” She glanced around at the people crammed into the main room. Parents held their children’s hands tightly. Faces were drawn.
“Emily.” Dad touched her shoulder, then pulled her into a hug.
She slipped her cell back into her pocket. “What’s going on?”
“Have you seen Naomi recently?”
Bree and Kade, with Dave and Timmy in tow, made their way toward them.
“The last time I saw her was when you went to dance. Why?” A funny feeling filled her stomach.
“She’s missing.” Dad’s face was as serious as she’d ever seen. “She got a call near the end of our dance, so I went to get us some punch. She had moved by the time I got back.” He ran a hand over his head. “She doesn’t answer her cell, she’s not in the ladies’ room, and no one has seen her since. It’s like she just disappeared.”
Bree laid a hand on Dad’s shoulder. “We’ll find her, Donovan.”
Naomi . . . missing?
Emily’s heart free-fell to her toes. Where was Naomi?
TWELVE
This couldn’t be happening! It was as if Naomi had just disappeared into thin air.
Emily paced the green carpet of the Kitchigami room as Sheriff Kaleva took notes, while Dad answered questions about the last time he saw Naomi. The townspeople had searched the entire community center, but Naomi was nowhere to be found.
She couldn’t have just vanished.
Bree burst into the room and spoke to Dad, and then went straight to Emily. “Kade’s dropping Timmy and Dave over at Anu’s, then running by the house to pick up Samson for me. We’ll start a search for her.” She put an arm around Emily, bringing the pacing to a halt, and pulled her to her side. “We’ll find her.”
“Had she had any arguments or disagreements with anyone recently?” the sheriff asked.
Bree led Emily to a chair. “We had to let an employee go at the SAR school this week. Naomi’s the one who actually fired him. Geoff. Geoff Makinen.”
“He’s here. I saw him.” Emily jumped up from the chair she’d just sat in. “And he’s really upset with Naomi.”
“He told you that?” Dad asked.
She nodded her head and told them about running into Geoff. “He must’ve seen Naomi coming because he left right before she found me.”
Sheriff Kaleva wrote furiously on his notebook before looking back at Bree. “Had he made any threats?”
“Not exactly, but he’d told several people that we fired him without cause. He’d told them that he was going to get us back.”
“That’s a threat, Bree.” Sheriff Kaleva shook his head. “You didn’t tell me?”
“I thought he was just full of hot air and he’d calm down after a few days.”
Deputy Montgomery entered the room. “Sheriff, the woman reporter, Inetta Harris, is outside. She heard Naomi was missing and wants to talk to you.”
The sheriff frowned. “Tell Harris I’ll talk to her in about fifteen minutes. I want you to see if Geoff Makinen is still here. I want to talk to him.”
Deputy Montgomery nodded. “And if he isn’t?”
“Find him and bring him in for questioning.” Sheriff Kaleva turned back to Bree and Dad. “Anybody else?”
Bree shook her head.
“The waitress at the Copper Club.” Dad rubbed his face with both hands. “I can’t remember her name right now, but Naomi said the woman had accused her of looking down on the waitresses and spouting religion at them.”
“Odetta Sayers,” Bree offered. “Some of us ladies at church made up a baked goods basket for them and included some Scripture cards along with church brochures and invitations. Naomi and I delivered it. She said Odetta misunderstood and seemed upset by it.”
“She was more than upset. She was angry.” Emily couldn’t believe she’d spoken aloud.
“How do you know?” Dad asked.
“I was there when Odetta talked to Naomi in the parking lot.” She tried to lick her lips, but her mouth was too dry. “It was when we left the school after the fire. Odetta basically told Naomi to stay away from them . . . that they didn’t need her or the church or the baked goods.”
Sheriff Kaleva flipped pages in his notebook. “Did anybody see Odetta here tonight?”
Emily shook her head, as did Dad and Bree.
“I’ll have someone follow up with her.” He tapped the pencil against the spiral of the notebook. “Anybody else have a beef with Naomi lately?”
Emily let out a long breath. “Marika’s in Rock Harbor.”
All three adults spoke at once. “What?”
She met her father’s stare, feeling guilty at the pain easily readable in his eyes. “I was going to tell you tonight after the dance.”
“When?” Sheriff Kaleva asked.
“She talked to me on the day of the fire and again today. During the SAR demonstration. I went to hide for Sherlock to
find me, and she was in the woods. She’s here too. I saw her about a half hour ago. She wanted me to go get a mocha with her, but I told her to leave me alone.”
“Why haven’t you told me?” Dad clenched his fists, letting them sit on his knees. “What else did she say?”
Heat filled her face as she played back the conversation, and Dad’s face went red. “I’m sorry, Dad. I wanted to tell you as soon as I got here, but Timmy was sitting right there and he’s still having nightmares about her, so I didn’t want to mention her name in front of him. I should have pulled you aside and told you right then. And probably the first time too.” A lump the size of Rock Harbor lodged in her throat. She told her dad what Marika had said about making amends. “But I don’t have to talk to her, do I, Dad?”
“No, you don’t.” He sounded fierce.
Kade entered the room, wearing his work vest, with Samson on his heels. Samson immediately went to Bree and nuzzled her fingers.
Dad turned to Sheriff Kaleva. “If Marika has Naomi . . .”
Bree squeezed Dad’s shoulder. “Samson and I will start searching right now.” She glanced at her husband. “Got my ready pack?”
Kade nodded. “In the Jeep, along with Naomi’s scarf that she left at the house the other night when she came to pick up Timmy.”
Emily stepped forward. “I want to help. I can go get Sherlock.”
Bree gave her a sad smile as she shook her head. “I’m sorry, honey, but that’s not a good idea. Sherlock’s just not ready, and I need Samson to be free to move quickly.”
“Then let me come along and help.” Please, God, let Bree say yes. I can’t just stay here and do nothing.
Dad stood, shaking his head. “Not this time. I’ve called Grandma, and she’ll meet us at the house to stay with you.”
“But I can help Bree.”
“It’s not a good idea, sweetie. I’ll be much quicker with just me and Samson.” Bree snapped and Samson stood at alert. “You need to do as your father asks, Emily. He doesn’t need to be worrying about you too.” She gave Dad a nod, then she rushed from the room, taking Samson and Kade with her.
Sheriff Kaleva stood. “I’ll set up a search party in the town as well. There’re plenty of people who will want to help. I’ll talk with the media too.”
At least she could help with the search parties.
Dad dug his keys from the front pocket of his jeans. “I’ll run Emily home and get her settled with Naomi’s mom, then I’ll be back to help search.”
“I want to help. If I can’t go with Bree, I want to at least go with you.” Emily took hold of her father’s hand.
“No. I want you at home, where I know you’re safe.”
“But, Dad—”
“And someone needs to be there in case Naomi comes home or calls,” Sheriff Kaleva interrupted.
She knew the sheriff had said that only to pacify her, but when she looked at Dad’s face, she knew she couldn’t argue. He was too scared already.
Once inside the SUV, Emily could almost feel Dad’s nerves across the front seat. His hands were so tight on the steering wheel that his knuckles were white. “You should have come to me immediately as soon as you saw Marika.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” How could she explain? Some part of her wanted to desperately believe that if she didn’t acknowledge Marika was back, her mother would just go away.
“Are you sure she didn’t say anything else? Make any type of comment about Naomi?” He steered the car onto Cottage Avenue.
“No, sir. She didn’t mention Naomi at all.” That lump in her throat suddenly felt as big as the state of Michigan.
He turned the SUV into the driveway, shining the headlights across the tail end of Grandma Heinonen’s car. They’d barely gotten out of the car when Grandma rushed onto the front porch. “Any news?”
Dad shook his head. “Bree and Samson are out searching now. Mason’s started a search group back at the community center. I’m going back there.”
Grandma’s face was whiter than Emily had ever seen.
Dad hugged her. “We’ll find her, Martha.” He turned and gathered Emily into a big bear hug, squeezing her tight. “Remember Grandma is Naomi’s mother. She might need a little extra TLC until we get back, okay?” he whispered in her ear as he released her.
She kissed his cheek, drawing in the familiar scent of his cologne, the one Timmy and Matthew bought him every year for Father’s Day. Tears burned her eyes as she nodded.
“I love you. Mind your grandma.”
Grandma wrapped an arm around her shoulders as Dad rushed back to the SUV.
“Call us as soon as you know anything,” Grandma called after him.
He backed out of the driveway with a little wave, then was gone. Grandma tugged Emily inside. “Matthew’s already in bed. Would you like me to make you some hot chocolate?”
Emily shook her head. “No, thank you.” What she really wanted was to talk to Olivia.
“Well, let me know if you change your mind.” Grandma sat ramrod stiff on the couch, staring out the front windows. “Oh, Charley’s back.”
“Really?” Emily rushed to the back door. In all the excitement, she’d forgotten Dr. Meeks was going to return him. She opened the door, and Charley and Sherlock both ran in, darting around her legs.
She dropped to her knees and hugged Naomi’s dog while Sherlock licked her ear. Charley didn’t look sick. Matter of fact, the way he was jumping around, he looked better than usual. She hugged him again. Naomi had been so excited to see him.
Tears burned Emily’s eyes. She buried her face in Charley’s silky fur. What if Naomi never came home?
God, please watch over Naomi. Keep her safe. We love and need her so much. Please, God.
She stood, wiping her eyes.
“Oh goodness, they’re all wound up now.” Grandma nodded at the dogs. “Maybe you should put them back outside.”
Emily opened the back door, and the dogs ran into the yard to play, but not before Charley hesitated as if to acknowledge Naomi’s absence.
She sat beside Grandma as the seconds slipped off the clock. Time seemed to pass slower than last period at school.
Five minutes.
Eleven.
Twenty-one.
Not able to sit still a minute longer, Emily jumped up. “I think I’m going to go to my room for a bit.” She remembered what Dad had said. “If that’s okay with you?”
“Sure, honey. I’m going to just sit here, close to the phone. You should get some rest.”
The phone that never rang.
“I’ll be in my room if you need me.”
Grandma nodded, still staring at the silent telephone sitting on the coffee table in front of her like some shrine or something.
It was driving Emily crazy. She needed to talk to Olivia.
Now.
THIRTEEN
“I can’t just sit here and stare at the phone like Grandma. It’s creepy.” Emily lay back on her bed, clutching her Phantom of the Opera pillow to her chest. “She’s not talking or watching the news or anything, just looking at the phone.”
“Well, her daughter is missing. I bet she’s really scared and freaked out. Think how scared you’d be if Sherlock was missing and there was nothing you could do.” Olivia’s voice sounded so calm over the phone. Just what Emily needed at the moment, somebody to be calm and sane when it felt like her world had turned upside down.
“Dad’s really upset I didn’t tell him about Marika.” She should have told him. She should have asked to speak to him privately and they could’ve stepped away from the table with Timmy. Better yet, she should’ve told Dad about Marika on the day of the fire. She should have done a lot of things differently. If she had, maybe Naomi would be at home, making them apple cider and snuggling with Charley.
“Well, you would’ve told him tonight, right?”
“Well . . . maybe. It’s a little late to tell him now, though.” If Marika had Naomi, it’d be all her faul
t.
Just like Drake.
Because of her, two people were missing. Maybe she was bad luck.
“You can’t change the past. As bad as Marika is, at least you know about her. Apparently, I can’t even find out about my birth mother and my past.”
“Inetta will uncover something. At least you know your birth mother’s name.” Emily stared at the clock on her desk. “Why hasn’t Dad called?”
“They probably just haven’t had time.”
“Hang on, let me text him.” Thank goodness for smartphones that could text while on a call. Emily quickly sent a text, then went back to her call with Olivia. “I sent a status update request to him and Bree.”
“I’ve been praying, Em.”
“Me too.” God, please let them find Naomi okay. “Charley’s home and he misses her, I can tell. It’s like he knows something’s wrong.”
“Does he seem to be okay?”
“Yeah. Better than okay. He doesn’t look sick at all.”
A beep sounded.
“Hang on, I’ve got a text.” She opened the message from her father: nothing yet
“Dad says there’s nothing yet.” Emily sat up, tossing the pillow aside. “I can’t just sit here, Liv.”
“You don’t have much choice. It’s not like Sherlock’s ready to go on a SAR. We just have to keep praying and waiting. Want me to ask my mom if I can come over to hang with you for a while? I bet she’d let me.”
But Emily’s mind was already racing. “Sherlock’s not, but Charley is.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What you said . . . Sherlock isn’t ready to go on a SAR.”
“Right.”
Emily glanced at the picture of her family on her desk, focusing on Naomi’s smiling, sweet face. “Charley’s fully trained.”
“He just got back from the vet hospital.”
“And he’s perfectly fine.”
“No, Em.”
“I can use Charley and search for Naomi.”
“Bree and Samson are already searching. You know Samson’s the best there is.”
“I can’t just sit here, Liv. I’m going crazy. I have to do something.”