The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor(78)

“You think he went back to the campsite?”

“I’d bet my pension on it,” Luke said. “Come on. Ozzy, stay here...”

“Yeah, I know.” Ozzy frowned. “Phones are my life.”

“Not for long,” Luke said. “We’ll talk about adding to your responsibilities once we get this Simon-and-Kyle situation worked out.”

Ozzy’s face lit up. “Deal.”

“In the meantime, you can reach me on my cell.” Luke whistled for Cash, who trotted to his side. “Holly, you coming?” He held out his hand.

She didn’t hesitate to take hold of him. “Of course.”

They headed toward Luke’s truck, but as Luke started to climb inside, he saw a familiar figure heading up the hill to the station. “Stay here,” he ordered Holly, who turned around to look out the back window. “Kyle?” Luke yelled, hurrying over to him. For an instant, he thought the kid was going to run. There was a fresh welt on the side of his face and a bruise forming on his left jawline. “Where have you been? Are you okay? What were you doing up at the campsite where Simon followed you?”

“It wasn’t me. I didn’t steal them from those people.” Silver-gray eyes went wide as his jaw pulsed. “I just didn’t want my dad to have them. I thought he might use them on us so I hid them. But it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Use what? What doesn’t matter?”

Kyle cringed. “Guns. Explosives. He keeps a workshop in the garage. He likes building things, but they always scared me. So I’ve been getting rid of them little by little. Last time, he caught me.”

“That’s why you haven’t been home.” Luke’s ears began to ring. Static clogged his brain and the air in his lungs turned to sludge. “And you’ve been stashing this stuff where?”

“There’s this old cabin up near Milkweed Lake. I wanted to eventually figure out a way to get rid of them, but it’s too late... Wait, what’s going on?”

“Simon’s missing,” Luke told him, heading to the truck. “We think he went back to get his notebook.”

“Back to the cabin?” Kyle grabbed his arm. “You have to get up there.”

“Why?” The near panic in Kyle’s voice set off every alarm in Luke’s brain.

“That’s what I was coming to tell you. My dad was waiting for me when I went home. He wanted to know where I’d put all his things. He said there are things he needs.”

“And you told him about the cabin?” Could the situation get any worse?

Kyle nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think— I was afraid he was going to hurt my mom.”

“Kyle, stop.” Luke grabbed his shoulders as his heart drummed an erratic beat. “You did what you had to do. It’s okay. Where’s your father now?”

“On his way to the cabin.” Kyle’s chin went up an inch. “He left half an hour ago.”

* * *

SIMON’S EYES DROOPED as he hiked up the last hill toward that stupid cabin. He was tired and hot and he wished he’d brought some water with him. The campsite hadn’t seemed so far away yesterday when they had driven out here. But all these hills and windy roads on his bike made his head spin.

“Mom’s gong to strangle me.” At least this time he left a note. But that was ages ago. He thought he’d be back there by now, notebook and proof in hand. Kyle was his nemesis. Kyle was the bad guy. But it was up to Simon to show Sheriff Luke proof if he was going to be believed.

He’d ditched his bike at the campsite, and felt bad he’d ruined everyone’s fun. He hadn’t meant for the camping trip to end, but he had to do his job. His head throbbed. He pressed his fingers against the bandage and winced. Maybe he should have waited until tomorrow and come up here with his mom, but the weather report he’d heard on TV said it might rain. He couldn’t take the chance his notebook—and all his evidence—would be destroyed.

He stopped walking and dropped down on the ground to rest. If only his head would stop throbbing, he could move faster. He didn’t want his mom to worry or cry again. He hated it when she cried. It scared him. But it was too late now. His stomach felt weird. Squishy and sickish, like when he’d vomited all over his bed that one time. All the more reason to get going and go home.

Home. He really wanted to go home. Simon swallowed hard and pushed himself up. But first he had to do his job.

Just like Sheriff Luke would do.

* * *

“THERE’S HIS BIKE.” But Simon was nowhere in sight. Holly jumped out of the car before Luke had a chance to shift into Park. Cash tumbled out behind her, barking his way up the path as Holly grabbed the bike and steered it to Luke’s truck. “I guess you were right.”