by Lisa Orchard
Jackie waved her hand in front of Sarah’s face. “Earth to Sarah… earth to Sarah.”
Sarah couldn’t help but giggle. “I’m here… just lost in thought.”
“Pretty heavy thoughts.”
Sarah nodded and her mind returned to the stone in her chest. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Care to share?”
“No. Not until I get it all sorted out.”
Jackie nudged her. “It’s good to share, you know.” Her voice had taken on the game show host sound it always did when Jackie was trying to sell her on an idea. She gave Sarah her million watt smile and motioned with her hands as if she were presenting a prize.
Sarah laughed. “I will… I promise… when I get it all figured out.”
“Pinky promise?” Jackie stopped walking and held out her hand with her pinky extended. She wore a solemn expression as if they were signing the Declaration of Independence.
Sarah snickered. “What grade are you in again?”
“Shut up and pinky promise.” Jackie shoved her hand closer to her. “Do it.”
Sarah snickered, and then sighed when Jackie refused to be deterred by ridicule. She held out her hand with her pinky extended. “Pinky promise.”
The girls locked their pinkies, shook, and then dropped their hands.
“Feel better?” Sarah asked.
“Absolutely.”
They strolled toward their homes in silence. Sarah wondered how many more walks she was going to have with Jackie. Her steps grew heavy and she forced her thoughts away from the inevitable.
“You know…” Jackie started. She grabbed Sarah’s arm and pulled her to a stop.
“What?” Sarah stopped and gave her friend a perplexed look.
“What if Alex can’t get his car started again?”
Sarah shrugged. “Then he’ll have to take it to a mechanic.”
Jackie squeezed Sarah’s arm. “What if he can’t get it fixed before the field trip.”
Sarah sighed. “We’ll have to think of another plan.” She faced forward and started walking again. When Jackie didn’t follow she stopped. “We don’t even know if the field trip is going to happen yet. Relax. It’ll all work out.”
“If you say so.” Jackie caught up to her and gave her a friendly nudge.
Sarah nudged her back and the girls continued their journey home. But Jackie’s words echoed in Sarah’s mind. Piper Drugs is a good forty-five minute drive away. Too far to walk. How are my friends going to get there? Am I going to have to do this all alone? With no back up? The stone that had been in Sarah’s chest earlier returned and it was heavier than ever.
Chapter Seventeen
Sarah and Jackie split at Walnut Street, where Jackie turned and wound her way home. Sarah watched her walk for a moment. Her long gangly legs taking giant strides toward her destination and her dark curls bouncing with each step she took.
A lump formed in Sarah’s throat and she turned away. The last thing she wanted to think about was moving… but there it is was again parading through her brain, taunting her with its neon brightness. She swallowed the lump and pushed the unwanted thoughts aside. Mimicking Jackie’s confident stride, Sarah put one foot in front of the other and found herself in front of her aunt and uncle’s house.
She stood on the sidewalk and stared at the home. It was a friendly place with a wide front porch and yellow siding. The windows had been repaired since the bombing, which had improved its appearance dramatically. Sarah sighed. I just got used to living here. And I don’t want to leave.
Sarah became aware of the night. When did it get dark? She shivered and pulled her coat tighter around her. The front door opened and light sliced through the darkness, casting its warm glow through the yard. Lacey stood in the doorway.
“Sarah? Is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“What are you doing out there in the dark?”
“Thinking.”
“Can’t you do that inside?”
Sarah smirked at her sister’s irritated tone. “Probably.”
“Why don’t you do that, then?”
“I suppose I could.” Sarah bit her lip to keep from laughing.
“You know, I’m letting all the heat out. Are you coming in or not?”
Sarah couldn’t help it. She burst out laughing. “Yes, I’m coming in.”
Lacey groaned and slammed the door. The light disappeared, enveloping Sarah in darkness again. She continued to giggle as she made her way to the door. Lacey… you’re just too easy.
When she reached the stairs leading to the stoop, the door opened again.
“Sarah?” Aunt June called out and then peered into the darkness. She seemed surprised to find Sarah at the bottom of the stairs. “Oh, there you are. Lacey said you were out here…thinking?”
“I was.”
”Are you done? Because I’ve got dinner on the table.”
“Yeah. I’m done.”
“You know… you should quit giving Lacey such a hard time.”
“I know.”
Aunt June gave her a level look. One of those looks that said “I know you’re just humoring me.” She sighed and held the door for Sarah to walk through.
“What’s for dinner?” Sarah asked.
“I ordered pizza from Westside. It’s here and it’s hot.”
“Awesome!” Sarah exclaimed, throwing her coat and backpack on the floor, and then dashing down the stairs.
Aunt June followed close behind. “Grab a soda and a plate and sit down with us.”
Sarah did as she was told and sat down with her family. “Ah… nothing like pepperoni and double cheese.” Sarah took a bite and savored the mixture of the melted mozzarella and spicy pepperoni on her tongue. “Westside definitely has the best pizza.”
Aunt June put her slice down on her plate and wiped her mouth. “So, what have you girls been up to today?”
Sarah shrugged and took another bite.
“We met with Scoop and we’re trying to get him inside Piper Drugs,” Lacey said.
“Oh, really?” Aunt June raised her eyebrow and eyed Sarah.
Sarah shifted in her seat and averted her eyes. “So when does Uncle Walt get to come home?”
“Hopefully, next week. The doctor is very happy with his progress.”
“Great,” Sarah said with a smile. She sent Lacey a warning look and hoped her sister got it.
Lacey seemed to understand because she averted her eyes and squirmed.
“Aunt June… where do you think we’re going to live when this is all over?” Lacey asked quietly.
Sarah’s heart leapt to her throat. The only other thing I didn’t want to talk about yet. She stifled a groan and waited for her aunt to answer.
“I don’t know, sweetheart. I haven’t really thought about it.”
Sarah shifted her weight and crossed her legs. “We’ll just have to wait and see what Mom and Dad say.”
Lacey sighed. “I’m full… I’m going to go watch some TV.”
“Okay,” Aunt June replied.
“So when can we go up and see Uncle Walt?” Sarah asked.
Her aunt sighed. “It’s kind of hard because by the time you get out of school he’s really tired from his physical therapy.”
“Could you just let him know we’re thinking about him?”
“I will.” Aunt June stood and patted Sarah’s arm. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m going into the office and get things organized for tomorrow, and then I’m heading to bed.” She carried her plate to the sink, rinsed it, and then put it in the dishwasher. “Can you put her plate in the dishwasher when you’re done?”
“Sure.” Sarah gave her aunt a smile and then turned back to her pizza.
As she finished her dinner, Sarah’s thoughts focused once again on finding her father’s flash drive. Conflicting emotions swirled through her. She wanted to find it, sure, but the thought of what would happen when she did filled her with dread. She didn
’t want to move from Harrisburg. Funny how things always seemed to change… When she found out she had to spend her summer here, she’d been horrified. Now she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving. Sarah sighed and stood. She stretched and felt the weariness seep into her bones like a slow moving disease. After cleaning up the kitchen, she searched for her sister.
“Anything good on the tube?” she asked when she found Lacey in the den.
“Nope.” Lacey tossed the remote on the couch and stood. “I’m getting ready for bed.”
“Me too.”
Her sister wore a grave expression as she left the room. Wondering what was on Lacey’s mind, Sarah followed her down to their bedroom. They got into their pajamas in silence. Sarah cast sidelong glances at her sister, waiting for her to spill her heavy thoughts.
“Okay… spill it,” Sarah said with a sigh.
“I’m kind of wondering about this plan of yours.”
“I don’t have a plan yet,” Sarah said quickly.
“Don’t get defensive! I know that, but Sarah we don’t even know if the flash drive is still there. What happens if you get there and it’s gone?”
Sarah bit her lip, stifling the irritated remark dancing on her tongue. After all Lacey has a good point. She took a deep breath. “Do you have any ideas?”
“Well…” Lacey sat on her bed and began brushing her hair. “What is on the flash drive exactly?”
“Dad said it was a memo explaining the bad side effects of the new drug and I think he illustrated it with some lab results.”
“Okay… so let’s say it’s gone. Is there any other place we can get those same lab results?”
Sarah stopped and whirled toward her sister. “You just gave me an idea. I have to call Dad.”
“What? Why?” Lacey asked, pulling her hair back from her face she gave Sarah a confused look.
Sarah searched for her backpack and when she didn’t see it, she slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. “I left it upstairs. I’ll be right back.”
Dashing up the steps, Sarah found her pack by the front door where she had dropped it earlier. She fumbled inside until she felt the smooth plastic of her cell phone. Pulling it out, Sarah ran back down the stairs.
“What time is it?” she asked Lacey when she reached her bedroom.
“It’s seven.”
Sarah punched in the Robinson phone number.
“Are you calling Dad’s cell?” Lacey asked.
“No.” Sarah shook her head. “The Robinsons.”
“You know their number by heart already?”
“Yep.” Sarah glanced at her sister and gave her a quick smile.
“Hello?” a young boy said into the phone.
“Hello. My name is Sarah and I’m looking for my dad… Mr. Cole?”
A tired sigh. “Okay… hold on.”
“Hello?”
“Dad?”
“Sarah?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Dad, we’re trying to figure out a way to get you the info you need.”
“Okay.”
Sarah sighed. “What if your flash drive is gone?”
Her father took a deep breath and then exhaled heavily. “Then we’ve lost the case.”
Sarah bit her lip. “What’s the name of this drug?”
“Myodine.”
Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. “What are the symptoms we should be looking for?”
“In the beginning the symptoms would mimic an overdose. There’d be vomiting… loss of consciousness… that kind of thing. Why?”
“Because we had a situation like that earlier this week.” Sarah’s pulse raced and her breath caught in her throat.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Some kid was brought into the police station and the cops said it was an overdose of a drug made by your company. Do you think it could’ve been Myodine?”
“Sarah, you need to find out who he is and see if you can somehow get the results from all the blood work from the hospital.”
Sarah grinned. “I think I can.”
“Good girl.”
The sound of pride in her father’s voice warmed Sarah and she basked in the glow of it. “Thanks.”
“Call me tomorrow and let me know what you find.”
“I will.”
“Good night Sarah.”
“Night.”
“Wait!” Lacey yelled. “I want to talk to him.”
“Ah… Dad?”
“I’m still here.”
“Lacey wants to talk to you.”
“Okay.”
Sarah held the phone out to her sister.
Lacey jumped from her bed and grabbed it.
While Lacey spoke with their father, Sarah finished getting ready for bed. She strolled into the bathroom and started brushing her teeth. Even though she was performing a routine task on the outside, on the inside thoughts whirled out of control. Who was the boy who had supposedly OD’d? What happened to him and could they get the lab results her father wanted? She spit out her toothpaste and rinsed her mouth.
She took a second and stared at her reflection in the mirror. It surprised her that she could have such a blank expression with all the thoughts running through her head. I’ve got a good poker face. Sarah grinned before walking back into the bedroom.
She found Lacey sitting on her bed, disconnecting the call with her father.
“Hey,” Lacey greeted.
“How was the conversation with Dad?”
Lacey beamed. “Good. It’s so good to hear his voice again.”
“Did you hear what we were talking about?” Sarah asked as she slid beneath her covers.
“I did.” Lacey walked over to the light switch and turned off the overhead light. “Do you have any idea who that kid was?”
The room plunged into darkness except for the glow of a night light in the far corner of the room. Its light warmed the room and threw playful shadows everywhere.
“No, I don’t, but I bet Scott can find out for us. The police have to fill out a report for that wouldn’t you think?”
“Yep. I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.”
Sarah yawned and rolled over. “Night, Lace.”
“Night,” Lacey responded in a sleepy voice.
Sarah listened to Lacey settle down. The rustling of the bedclothes stopped and her sister’s breathing slowed and then grew rhythmic. Even though she was tired, Sarah couldn’t fall asleep. She tossed and turned as questions filled her mind. The answers eluded her. Who in the company allowed this drug on the market? Will I meet him during the field trip?
Sarah gulped as she imagined a gnarly looking man with acne pitted skin and a hook nose. She imagined dark piercing eyes, full of anger and hatred. No wonder I can’t sleep.
Sighing, she turned over and punched her pillow into a comfortable shape. She willed her brain to think of something else and her thoughts focused on Alex. He sure is cute. A smile touched her lips and she skipped off to dreamland.
Chapter Eighteen
Sunlight streaming through the window woke Sarah. She squinted and stared out, taking in the brilliance. It looks like it’s going to be a great day. Stretching, she relished the feeling of her muscles stretching and working out the kinks of a good night sleep. It’s Saturday. Sarah realized with a start. We don’t have school today. The thought got her moving and she left her warm bed, anxious to get the day under way.
Lacey stirred in her bed. “Morning.” She yawned and stretched, then snuggled deeper under her covers. “Ohh… I don’t want to get up.”
“I know what you mean. But we’ve got a lot to do today.” Sarah rummaged around in her drawer, searching for something to wear.
Lacey poked her head out from under her covers. “We do?”
“Yeah. We have to find out who OD’d earlier this week and what he OD’d on, remember?”
Lacey gasped. “That’s right.” She squinted at the clock on the bedside table. “What time is it?”
“It’s eig
ht o’clock.” Sarah pulled out a beige cotton sweater and a pair of jeans. “Do you think it’s too early to call Scott?”
“No. He’s always up with the chickens.”
“Okay. You call him and tell him to meet us down at Hinkle’s in about an hour. Have him call Alex and then you call Jackie.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to take a quick shower.”
“Don’t use all the hot water,” Lacey warned.
“I won’t. I’ll save you a couple of drops.”
Lacey opened her mouth to protest, but Sarah dashed out the door and didn’t hear a word.
Stepping into the shower, Sarah enjoyed the warm water cascading over her. As she shampooed her hair, her mind turned to the boy she’d seen earlier in the week. She remembered the nauseating stench of his vomit and the way he slumped between the two police officers. Did he really take Myodine? Her fingers tingled with anticipation and she hurried through her morning shower.
After toweling her body, Sarah dried her hair and slipped into her robe, then she rushed back into the bedroom to dress.
Lacey met her in the hallway. “Did you get a hold of everyone?”
“Yep,” Lacey said and then rushed toward the bathroom. “There better be some hot water left.”
Sarah didn’t respond but instead continued her journey to the bedroom where she quickly dressed. Then she rushed up the stairs and fed Lilly. She found a note from Aunt June on the table letting the girls know she had left for the office and then would be visiting Uncle Walt later that morning.
Underneath her aunt’s message, Sarah let her know they would be down at Hinkle’s and then off to the library to catch up on some homework. She felt a pang of guilt lying to her aunt, but she didn’t see a way around it. Sighing, she called out to her sister. “Lacey, are you ready to go.”