“Hank?” I ask, lifting my chin and peering out to the parking area.
“I told him you’re here, that I gave you a key the other night.”
“And?”
“He said we all should help search.”
That wasn’t the answer I expected.
“I-I,” I stutter as I tug the blanket away and look down at my camisole. “I’m not dressed and probably smell like?—”
“Wine, you do,” Beck says. “Hank and I will check out the grounds here. I know you and Julie aren’t close, but do you have any ideas where she might be?”
New tears sting the back of my eyes. “No. Shitty big sister here.” I recall my conversation with my other sister. “Liv said it’s been a rough year for Julie. She and her boyfriend broke up.”
“Austin. He’s a good guy. When he isn’t at football practice, he works for Hank on the farm. Hank says he’s a hard worker. Austin doesn’t want to admit it, but finding Coach Gilbert messed him up.”
My nose scrunches. “Does he know anything about Julie or where she is?”
Becky shakes her head. “According to your mom, Austin told Sheriff Manes he went to the party but left early. Julie was there with her friends.”
I recall the park. “There were seven of them. Which one is Marty?”
“Loud,” Becky answers. “Jet-black hair.”
I remember the girl with raven black hair who did more talking than the others. “And she’s missing too?”
Becky nods. “Neither one can be located right now. It seems their phones are off or dead.”
“Oh my God. I should call Mom.” I leave Becky and go back into the bedroom, retrieving my phone. Walking back to the kitchen, I bring the screen back to life. “I have so many missed calls.”
I hit the icon. The calls began after seven this morning. There is one every ten minutes for the first hour alternating from both my mother and father. I also missed two from Liv and two from Becky.
I look back at her. “I had the ringer off. I need to get to Mom.”
Becky nods. “Do you want a ride?”
“With Hank?”
“It’s been six years, Jillian. He accepts that you and I are still friends. Maybe you could accept that he and I are married.”
“You’re right.” I feign a smile. “Water under the bridge.”
“Right.”
“Okay. I do accept that.” I reach out and take her hand. “Please keep me updated. You search, and I’ll call Mom. After I shower, I’ll go wherever she wants me to go.” I stare into Becky’s eyes. “The McKenna barn is gone. Where do kids go nowadays?”
“It depends on weather,” she replies thoughtfully. “Have you heard of phrogging?”
“In theory.” It’s the sneaking into a house and living among the dwellers without their knowledge. It’s usually done in innocent fun. However, it can take a dangerous turn. “We did a show about it once.”
“Well, here, it’s not really phrogging in the sense of the word because that would require the residents to behome. Here, it’s a thing throughout the colder months. Teenagers break into cottages or even the big houses, mostly the empty ones on the lakes. They party. Usually, they clean up before they leave. Most of the time, the owners never know. It’s gotten more difficult with security systems.”
“The big houses would definitely have them, but what about the cottages?” I ask.
“Yeah. The smaller older ones are better possibilities.” Becky nods.
I walk over to the large windows and scan the water of Stark Lake. “There are so many lakes around here.”
