Page 5 of Facade

She really hoped her dad wouldn’t still be missing at that point. But the police were running in circles with nothing to go on. Her sketch was the only clue they had.

A month was a long time to wait to search for her dad. But it seemed like a blink when Clarke thought of everything she would need to do to get into Mars College as a student or a dormitory monitor.

“Maybe none of this will be necessary,” Hannah said. “But if the police still have no leads and Charlie isn’t home a month from now, you’ll be furious with yourself if you don’t have a way to get onto campus.”

“True, it’s the only clue we have. I have to try,” Clarke agreed. “I just don’t want to think about Dad still being missing four weeks from now, and what that could mean.”

She had tried to stay positive, and tell herself that her dad was alive. But it wasn’t always easy. At least the vision hadn’t shown his dead body. That had to be a good sign.

Having a clue gave Clarke a sense of purpose. Hannah was right that she had to do this, no matter how crazy and unrealistic it sounded.

“If I’m right and your dad was kidnapped, they won’t just let him walk away,” Hannah said.

Clarke clung to that possibility like a lifeline, although she had no idea who would have kidnapped her dad or why. He was neither a celebrity nor rich. It was feasible though, that her dad could be alive and unable to come home.

“Ok, let’s do this. I’m still not sure how I can pull this off for more than a couple of days, but I will do this for Dad.”

“You can pull it off. We’ll help you,” Hannah said staunchly.

Four hours later, her hair was cut in a short, professional style, and her resume claimed her to be Clark Voudrie. Deciding to keep this on the down-low as much as possible, Hannah’s mother had cut her hair at the house. With shaking fingers and a thundering heart, Clarke applied for the position of dormitory monitor.

Hannah was a beacon of positivity, which helped to steady Clarke’s nerves. She was confident Clarke would get the job. “Fate wouldn’t be that cruel,” she said. Clarke fervently hoped that she was right.

The next morning, she had an email from the college requesting a video interview with the assistant dean, and available time slots to choose from. Clarke’s heart was racing as she selected an afternoon appointment.

Clarke texted Hannah with the news, and called her dad’s business partner, saying she needed to meet with him privately. Harry told her he’d be in the workroom, and to come through the back.

Ten minutes later, Clarke was out the door and driving to the store her dad and Harry owned. She had been avoiding Trinkets and Tonics since her dad had gone missing. There were so many memories attached to the shop, and it was too painful.

Harry was like an uncle to her, though. She trusted him implicitly. He was the only person outside Hannah’s family that Clarke would divulge her plans to.

She wanted his advice. Harry would tell her bluntly how he felt about this harebrained scheme. Clarke knew he would worry about her, but he would also help. Harry might even have other ideas about how to search Mars College if he thought this plan wasn’t feasible, or she didn’t get the job.

Clarke parked behind the store, and took a deep breath before getting out of the car. She used her key to unlock the back door, and walked down the short hall, avoiding looking to the left where her dad’s laboratory was. She couldn’t handle that right now. Harry’s workroom was to the right, and Clarke found him sitting at a table.

Harry dropped what he was working on at the sight of her, and strode forward to hug her. He held her for a long moment before stepping back.

“Clarke, I’m so glad you came by,” Harry said. “I know it has to be hard, being here with Charlie gone. You cut your hair.” Harry wouldn’t risk hurting her feelings by saying he didn’t like her new look, but Clarke knew that he didn’t.

“The haircut was necessary,” Clarke said. “Uncle Harry, I had a vision yesterday.”

“I knew you could do it, kiddo,” Harry said. “Do you plan to tell me how a vision prompted you to cut your hair? Don’t take this the wrong way, sweetie, but you look like a boy.”

Clarke had to smile at that. “Good. That was the objective.” They sat down facing each other, and she told him everything.

“Damnit! I want to tell you that the police will find Charlie, and there’s no need for you to go into what could be enemy territory to search for clues,” Harry said. “But your vision is the only lead we have. Getting a job with the faculty as a man would be much less suspicious than one or both of us showing up and asking direct questions. This requires finesse and subterfuge. I agree with Hannah.”

Clarke exhaled in a whoosh. Harry was very forthright, and he wasn’t telling her that it was a stupid plan. All of her dad’s friends would happily search for him, and do this for her if they could. But only one of them had a power, and none of them were qualified. It had to be her.

“Hannah, her parents, and you are the only people I’m including in this plan, and discussing my vision with,” Clarke said. “I feel guilty, not telling Dad’s fishing buddies, but I feel like the fewer people who know, the better.”

“That’s smart, Clarke,” Harry said. “None of them live close by anymore, and there’s nothing they can really do. More people knowing would increase the chances of you being outed.”

“And I might not get the job,” Clarke pointed out.

Harry shook his head vehemently. “You will get the job, and you can do this. You’ve been down on yourself because of the rejection letters. I suspect the Psionic Institute is overly concerned with flashy powers and bragging rights. I agree with Charlie that they don’t deserve you. Mars and Venus Colleges have an excellent reputation. Quality education and the students are their priority. You are a very desirable candidate for this position.”

“Thanks.” That did make her feel better. Clarke hoped Harry was right. “Now I just have to figure out how to act and talk like a guy within a few hours.”