And Then She Was Gone(17)

Michael Shaw stepped up to the podium and spoke directly into the camera. “My wife…” His voice broke. “My wife is missing, and I want to ask anyone who may have seen her,” he held up a framed photo, “to call the police. We love Stacy and… and she’s…” He broke down crying.

The woman next to him wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“I hope she’s all right,” Jack’s father said.

“That poor family,” Jack’s mother said. Her husband put his arm around her. The clock on the mantel chimed.

“I’ve got to jet!” Jack hurried to the door. “I’m super late.”

“Don’t speed.” His mother rushed over and straightened his collar. “Have fun.”

As Jack ran for the Impala, his father called after him, “But not too much fun!”





5





The Haves and the Have-Nots





As he rolled up the long, circular driveway to the front of the Dawsons’ sprawling home, Jack double-checked the address. The two-story, brick-faced house was located on the highest point in Knob Hill, one of the poshest neighborhoods in Fairfield. Jack looked at the shiny Mercedes and BMW parked in the driveway and his hand hesitated on the car key.

Then he glanced at the clock. 6:14 p.m.

“Crud,” he muttered.

Jack grabbed the flowers, got out of the car, and jogged up the granite steps to the massive oak front door. The whole entranceway seemed to exude wealth, and Jack suddenly felt small. He exhaled and tried to gather himself. Then he reached out for the doorbell—but before he could press it, the front door whipped open.

It was Kelly Dawson—and she was beautiful. In designer jeans and a pink top with matching lipstick, she looked like she had just stepped off the cover of a teen fashion magazine. The hallway chandelier behind her sparkled like flashbulbs on the red carpet.

In Jack’s mind, the tall, blond cheerleader belonged on a pedestal. For a moment he could only stand there, blinking.

When he was able to breathe again, he mumbled, “Wow. You’re gorgeous.”

Kelly beamed. “Thank you.”

“Seriously, you belong on a runway, not a doorway.”

She chuckled. “I had help. My mom and I had a girls’ day out to get me ready. Do you like?” She twisted back and forth.

“A day?” Jack blurted out. “A date with me is that special?”

Kelly blushed.

Jack held out the mixed bouquet, and Kelly took it.

“Thank you.” She lightly touched the tops of the petals.

“You’re welcome.” He glanced over her shoulder. No parents. Bonus. “Ready?”

“Yes.” She grabbed her jacket. “Let’s go.”

But before they could make their escape, a woman appeared in the hallway. The resemblance left Jack with no doubt that she was Kelly’s mother. She placed a slender hand on Kelly’s shoulder while extending the other out to Jack. “You must be Jack. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dawson.”

“Kelly?” a man’s voice called from inside.

Kelly rolled her eyes. “I’m just leaving, Dad.”

“Wait there a second.”

Kelly bit her bottom lip.

There was a heavy sound of heels on the tile floor, and then Mr. Dawson strutted around the corner and up to the doorway with his phone in his hand. Even with Jack standing one step beneath him, Jack was still taller—a fact that seemed to bother Mr. Dawson, judging by the way he held his chin up. Mr. Dawson’s arm shot out, and he squeezed Jack’s hand—hard.

Jack didn’t flinch. “Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Jack Stratton.”

Mr. Dawson nodded politely. “So you are.” He eyed Jack up and down. “Where are you two headed?”

“Bowling. It’s a double date.”

“That sounds fun. With whom?” Mrs. Dawson asked.

“My best friend Chandler and his girlfriend, Makayla.”

Mr. Dawson’s expression soured slightly, and Mrs. Dawson’s smile flickered. “Are they friends from your school?” Mrs. Dawson asked.

“Yes.”

“What school is that?” asked Mr. Dawson.

Kelly jumped. “Oh, look at the time.” She tsked. “I forgot to tell you that we have to leave early. I don’t want to miss our reservation.” She quickly kissed her father on the cheek and then pressed the flowers into her mother’s hands.

Mr. Dawson opened his mouth to say something more, but Kelly grabbed Jack by the hand and hurried down the steps.

“Don’t be late.” Mrs. Dawson’s voice was noticeably strained.

“I won’t.” Kelly gave her parents an over-the-shoulder wave.