Page 100 of Serenity Falls

Arnie the Armadillo. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘Because when I went outside, there was no one there and the images just disappeared from the app. I didn’t know what to think.’

Sadie glares at her dad. She’s so angry her chest hurts. ‘You should have told me.’

‘I’m sorry. I know I should. Okay? But I didn’t want to worry you. I thought if I could find out what was going on, I’d tell you later. There’s been so much weirdness, I didn’t want to stress you out.’

‘Oh. Well, nice job, because I’m really relaxed right now …’

She looks at the balloons still swaying carelessly in the breeze. The sight of them makes her feel sick.

Jerry clears his throat. ‘It’s nothing to be scared about, Miss Barker. Like I said, probably just someone yanking your chain.’

Sadie glares at him. ‘Because nothing bad ever happens in Serenity Falls, right?’

He stares at her, and Sadie can’t quite make out his eyes in the shadow of his hat.

‘Have you checked the security app today?’ He addresses the question to her dad.

‘Yes. Nothing there. Again. Like I told you, someone is messing with the camera.’

Sadie glances at her dad. Messing with the camera?

‘I had the home security company round this morning—’ he continues.

‘Well, maybe they just didn’t reset something.’ Jerry turns abruptly and bends to inspect the balloons. ‘Anyone touched these since you came back?’

Dad shakes his head. ‘No. I called you straight away.’

Jerry nods. ‘Looks like there’s some kind of card attached here.’

‘What does it say?’ her dad asks.

Jerry frowns. ‘Well, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.’

But there’s something in his voice. A nervousness, Sadie thinks.

‘Can we see?’ her dad asks.

Jerry detaches the card from the balloons and passes it to her dad. Printed on it:

Why did the mascot cross the road? 61322.

Sadie blinks. A pain throbs in her temple.

‘I’ve seen that number before,’ she says.

Dad looks at her. ‘Where?’

She reaches into her pocket and drags out the now-crumpled flyer Larry Broom gave her:

Nothing bad happens in Serenity.

Not by accident. 61322.

Her dad studies it, frowning, and then hands it to Jerry.

‘Who gave you this?’ he asks Sadie.