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Maybe . . . but with what's going on, I'm not too sure that's a good idea.
The Grove was a pleasant, airy room. In place of long dining tables stood dozens of square tables, each sitting four to six people. The atmosphere definitely felt more restaurant than cafeteria. The average age of students seemed in line with what I'd read--early teens to mid-twenties. And all of them felt tingly with energy.
Rhiannon came rushing in just as I picked up my order--a triple-shot mocha and a sausage and cheese breakfast sandwich--and slid into the seat opposite. She was shivering.
"Let me get hot coffee--it's snowing hard." While she hurried up to the counter, I tried Peyton again. And again, no answer. Now I was getting seriously freaked. Peyton didn't strike me as the type to blow off an appointment without calling.
When she returned, Rhia was carrying a white chocolate mocha, a bowl of oatmeal, and two hard-boiled eggs. She slipped out of her coat and took a sip of the steaming mocha, her eyes closing in gratitude.
"Cripes, it's cold out. But this makes me feel almost human." She let out a long sigh. "What's up?"
"What's up is that Peyton didn't show and I can't get her on the phone. I tried calling her several times. Nothing."
Rhiannon's expression dropped. "Crap. Have you called Anadey?"
"I was waiting for your advice. I don't want to scare her in case it's just car trouble. But Peyton had my phone number and I'm sure she would have called me if it had been that."
"Unless she forgot her phone at home. But then, Anadey would have answered when you called, wouldn't she? Give her a call. She won't be at the diner yet--she usually works afternoons and evenings."
While Rhia warmed herself with her coffee, I phoned Anadey, who answered on the second ring.
"Cicely? Why hello--I thought you were with Peyton."
"She was supposed to meet me this morning for a workout, yes, but . . ." I paused, not knowing exactly how to phrase it.
Just say it outright, child. That's the only way you can. Ulean's calming presence helped and I cleared my throat.
"Peyton never showed and she hasn't called. I thought maybe she forgot her cell phone at home and has had car trouble?"
Silence. Then, a soft but audible gasping for air, as if someone had knocked the wind out of her. "No, she had it with her when she left. She was fully intending on meeting you, Cicely. I think I'd better call the police."
"Do you want me to come over? Rhiannon has to work, but I can be there in ten minutes." I pushed back my chair.
"Would you, please? Though I don't know what good the cops will do. They aren't helping anybody much lately." She gave me her address and hung up.
I turned to my cousin. "Peyton left home with her cell phone, all right. But she hasn't checked in. I'm headed over there now. Anadey's calling the cops. I'll give you a ring and let you know what's going on after we talk to them. And, Rhia . . ."
"Yes?" Her brow pinched as if she were trying not to cry.
"Be careful, okay? Don't leave campus without calling me. Too many people are disappearing lately."
I grabbed my coffee and sandwich and headed for Favonis on the run, trying to dart between the tiny, stinging flakes that were whipping down from angry skies. By the time I go to the car, I looked like I had a horrible case of dandruff. Sliding behind the wheel, I let out a long sigh. Today was starting off on a very bad note.
Anadey was waiting for me when I got to her apartment. I could see why she was planning to move into Marta's house--the place was tiny and she and Peyton had to feel cramped.
She led me into the living room, which was smaller than my bedroom at the Veil House, and motioned for me to sit down. The cops were already there, and they looked bored. One of them gave me a nod and continued with what he'd apparently been saying when I'd interrupted. "Like I said, she probably forgot the appointment and stopped off at a store. Maybe she saw a pair of shoes that caught her eye or something."
I bristled. "Listen, Peyton was coming to the gym to spar with me, not talk nail polish or the latest fashions. I've tried calling her several times and there's no answer. Can you at least have your cruisers out on the street look around for any sign of an accident? What if she's hurt? In case you haven't noticed, it's damned cold and snowing hard. She might have had an accident."
I didn't for the moment believe it, but just in case--and to get them off their butts--I decided to push that possibility.
"We've put out a call to all our men. We've checked the gas station and everywhere else Peyton might have stopped at. Ms. Moon Runner gave us her daughter's license plate number and car description. But ladies, that's all I can do for now. I'm sorry."
He stood and, together with his partner, sauntered out of the apartment. Anadey watched them go, then slammed the door, furious. "That is the attitude all the cops have had since . . . since all this started happening. I'm surprised Geoffrey's putting up with it. The vamps run the town, you know--they always have. Now it seems there's a new queen calling the shots and that can't be going over well." She leaned against the counter, her lips pressed tightly together.
I joined her, awkwardly patting her back. "Maybe we're wrong. Maybe she did stop somewhere."
You know that's not true, Ulean whispered.
