“We need to go back to the top of his feed,” he said, his words laced with excitement. “I need to see something.”
He was definitely on to something. You’re a genius,I thought.You’re beautiful. You’re sweet. And you’re a genius.
In no time, we were at the top of his feed. There was another post about him closing up the cottage. “There’s something about this place,” Leo said. “I have a feeling.”
I studied the photo again, carefully this time. And yes, there was definitely something there. There was something about the little green cottage.
“You’re time is just about up, kids,” Mrs. Moore, the media center manager, broke in.
“Sure. We’re done here,” Leo said, and smiled.
He walked me back to my dorm.
“What are you thinking? I asked, although I pretty much knew what he was thinking, as usual. “You think she could be there with Haley?”
“It’s worth a look,” he said. “Think about it… it’s an isolated spot. They’ve been broken up for about two years, with apparently no contact, according to their social media. No one would think to ever look at him. And he won’t be going to his cottage until the spring. It’s pretty much abandoned. It’s the perfect place to hide.”
It made sense. It made complete sense. “I think you should call Simone,” I said. “This was all you, Leo. You deserve the credit. You were amazing.”
He shrugged. “It’s not about credit, it’s about finding Haley.”
“I know, but you make the call.”
He nodded quietly. “I will.”
“Right away.”
“Right away,” he promised. “Right after I drop you off.”
He walked me to my dorm elevator, and gave me a sweet shy smile before saying goodbye.
I was over the moon. I thought about him on my way up to my room. I thought about Kylie. I knew that she’d love to meet him. I wondered if he liked cinnamon toast.
34
Iwas in Energy Fields Studies when the P.A. system assaulted my ears again -- it blared way too often, in my opinion. I was called to the office again -- just me. I wondered what I’d done wrong, or right.
Curiosity overwhelmed me as I darted to the office. Simone was all smiles when she invited me in. “Please take a seat,” she urged with a wave of her hand. ““How have you been, Annabelle?”
“Good,” I said, an automatic answer. But I had indeed been good; I was doing well in my classes, had made friends, had contributed to Haley’s case (but not as much as I would have liked), and didn’t miss my family too much (still a lot, though).
And I may or may not have a boyfriend.
“Glad to hear it,” she said. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been meaning to have you in to chat and make sure everything is good for you, at RAMS. I always like to check in on my newbies.”
I smiled. “I’m good… great,” I assured her, “busy.”
She laughed, a quiet barely there chuckle. “Well, I do like to keep my students busy, especially the truly gifted ones.”
My heart swelled. I loved being the teacher’s pet. At my old school, I had never stood out, got average grades, did not excel in sports or arts. Nor was I popular. I was the girl who hid in the corner, her face buried in the pages of a book. Most people probably thought I was one of those studious A+ types -- I wished.
“I wanted to let you know that the detectives are looking into Natalie Foster’s ex-boyfriend. I’ll keep you and the rest of the team up to date as soon as I know more.”
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “I appreciate it.”
“You’ve been adjusting well, here at RAMS?” she asked. “I hope you don’t miss your family too much.”
“Yes, I have,” I said, “been adjusting well. Thanks so much for rooming me up with Alicia. She’s great.”
