by Lisa Orchard
Lacey snickered. “I knew you liked me.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Tsk. Shut up, I do not.”
“Do too.”
“Do not.”
Lacey chuckled—the sparkle in her eye was back. “So I can help?”
Sarah sighed. “All right, you can help.”
“So where’s the file?”
“In my drawer.”
“Go get it.”
“Right now?”
“Yeah, right now. I want to find Mom and Dad as much as you do.”
“All right. Don’t get your undies in a bunch.”
Sarah walked back into the house—she grabbed her cell phone and tried Uncle Walt, one more time. Voicemail again. A sigh escaped her lips. She tapped the phone against her chin, and thought back on their conversation. Lacey’s question echoed through her mind. What if the disappearance and the bombing were connected?
With a spurt of energy, she ran down the stairs to the bedroom that she shared with her sister. Once inside, she cast a quick glance around. The walls were painted bright lavender, and the beds were adorned with lavender quilts. The quilt pieces were arranged in a large heart design and they were filled with vibrant colors that complimented the lavender background. It was a cheerful room and Sarah relaxed in spite of her anxiety.
At first, Sarah had been uncomfortable with a bedroom in the basement, but now she liked it. Having a lower-level bedroom made it much easier to sneak out of the house undetected. Sarah opened her drawer and searched for the file. She had hidden it in her underwear drawer, hoping her aunt wouldn’t look for it there. Sarah grabbed it and returned to the porch, where she found Lacey waiting for her on the swing.
“Did you get it?” she asked.
“Yep, right here.” Sarah waved the file at Lacey.
“What’s it say?”
“Not a lot. It’s mainly a paper trail of Mom and Dad’s last days before they disappeared.”
Sarah opened the file and showed Lacey the receipts from a hotel and meals their parents had eaten before they boarded their cruise ship the next morning.
“Okay, so we know that they made it down to Florida,” Sarah said.
“Did they make it onto the cruise ship?”
“It’s hard to tell. According to the detective, their tickets were taken when they got on the ship, but…” Sarah pulled a handful of photos from the folder. “I don’t see them in any of these pictures.”
She handed Lacey the photos.
Lacey’s brow furrowed as she leafed through the pictures. “Are these pictures of everyone on the ship?”
“Yeah, the cruise director takes a photo of everyone, and then the cruise line sells it to the passengers as a memento.”
“I don’t see Mom and Dad’s photo.”
“Exactly. They weren’t on the ship.” Sarah brushed a wayward hair out of her face.
“So they made it down to Florida, but didn’t get on the boat?”
“Right.”
“But their tickets were used?” Lacey frowned.
“According to the detective, the cruise line collected all tickets that were sold.”
“So two of these people had Mom and Dad’s tickets.”
“Yep.”
Lacey studied the photos again. “Unless they just missed the boat?”
“Yeah, but all the tickets were collected. Besides, remember what a stickler Mom is?”
Lacey smiled. “Yeah, I remember. Maybe they were in the bathroom when it was time to have their picture taken.”
Sarah frowned. “Maybe. So you think Mom and Dad got on the boat but didn’t get their picture taken?” She didn’t like her theory challenged.
“It’s that or two people had their tickets,” Lacey said.
“I’m guessing it had to be a couple, because Mom and Dad shared a cabin, you know?”
Lacey nodded. “Remember they were going to call us every Sunday?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“When did they stop?” Lacey twirled her wet hair between her fingers.
Sarah rubbed her forehead. “Um…you know I don’t know. We were so involved with the Cat Lady murder that I didn’t pay attention.”
Lacey’s lip quivered. “Yeah.”
A shrill ring filled the air. Sarah jumped. “That really freaked me out.” She grabbed the phone. “Hello.”
“Who is it?” Lacey asked.
“It’s Jackie.” Sarah mouthed the words. “Did you find out anything?”
“Just bits and pieces from the police scanner,” Jackie said.
“Like what?”
“Well, the explosion occurred during the teachers’ faculty meeting.”
“What do you suppose that means?”
“I’m not sure,” Jackie said.
“How do you know the teachers were in their meeting when it happened?”
“I heard the cops talking on the scanner and they found one of the teachers who was there at the time.”
“Did they find my Uncle Walt?” Sarah asked, her heart filled with hope.
“Not yet.”
Sarah’s spirits sank.
“Sarah?”
“Maybe we can talk to the teacher that they found?” Sarah bit her lip as tears threatened to well in her eyes.
“That’s an idea.”
“Where is he? Did they take him to the hospital?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did they say his name?”
“No.”
“Come over, maybe we can convince Aunt June to take us to the hospital to talk to him.”
“How are you going to talk to him if you don’t know who he is?” Jackie asked.
“I’ll have Lacey call Scott and see if he can find out from his dad.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m on my way over.”
Sarah disconnected the call and looked over at Lacey who had listened to Sarah’s side of the conversation.
“Call Scott.” Sarah handed Lacey the phone.
As Lacey punched in Scott’s number, the workmen packed up their gear and loaded it in their truck.
“I hope he answers,” Lacey said as she put the phone to her ear and crossed the fingers on her free hand. “Scott?” Lacey looked at Sarah and turned the phone so Sarah could listen. “We were wondering if you had any news.”
Sarah shifted closer to her sister and leaned in to listen.
“Yeah, I do. They found one of the teachers who was in the meeting with your uncle,” Scott said.
“And?” Lacey asked, her voice cracking.
“Well, he has some injuries.”
“And?”
“They took him up to the hospital. They think he may have to have surgery.”
“Who was it?”
“It was Mr. Hameedi.”
Lacey looked at Sarah. “Do you know him?”
Sarah frowned and shook her head.
“Do you think we’ll be able to talk to him?” Lacey asked Scott.
Sarah tingled with hope and her chest felt lighter. She chewed what was left of her fingernails as she continued to listen.
“Probably. I’m not sure when surgery is scheduled.”
“Hey, what about the coat and phone we found?” Sarah blurted out.
“I haven’t heard anything yet.”
“Thanks, Scott,” Lacey said.
“No problem. Call me if you find out anything.”
“I will. Bye.”
Lacey disconnected the call and exchanged a look of guarded hope with Sarah. Then the girls jumped up and ran into the house.
“Aunt June!” Sarah yelled as she ran down the stairs.
“What is it?” Aunt June rushed out of the den and collided with Sarah. She grabbed her niece and stopped her from falling to the floor. “My goodness, child, slow down. Now, what is it?”
“There’s a teacher up at the hospital who was in the same meeting as Uncle Walt. We’ve got to talk to him.” Sarah tugged on her Aunt’s arm, pulling her toward the stairs.
“Some teacher, his name is Mr. Hameedi.”
“Oh no…Ali Hameedi?”
“I don’t know,” Sarah responded crossly. “I just know he was in the meeting with Uncle Walt and we have to talk to him right now.”
“All right. Let me grab the keys. You girls get in the car.”
The girls rushed up the stairs and dashed out the door. As they climbed inside the car, they were interrupted by Jackie’s shout.
“Hey! Where are you guys going?”
“We’re going to the hospital! Hurry! Climb in.” Sarah cringed. She had forgotten Jackie was on her way over.
Jackie dropped her bike on the front lawn and jumped into the car. Sarah grew impatient as she waited for her aunt. She sighed and chewed on her thumbnail to pass the time.
Aunt June flew out the front door and ran across the porch toward the stairs. Meanwhile, the door slammed against the wall and shuddered from the impact. Reaching the stairs, she raced down them, her car keys jangling with her movements. She didn’t bother looking to see if the door had latched behind her. When she reached the car, she dove into the driver’s seat and fumbled with her keys. As she tried to put the key into the ignition, Aunt June dropped them. Exhaling an angry growl, Aunt June hit the steering wheel with her fist.
Sarah stifled a groan. She could tell her Aunt was anxious and the last thing they needed was an argument.
Sighing, Aunt June picked up the keys and got the car started. She gunned the engine, slammed the car into reverse, and roared out of the driveway. The girls exchanged looks of disbelief—they’d never seen her drive so aggressively. If it hadn’t been such a serious situation, Sarah would have giggled and harassed her about her questionable driving skills. Aunt June put the car in drive, ran over the curb, and with a roar they headed to the hospital. Sarah looked out the rear window and witnessed a hubcap go spinning down the street.
Chapter Three
Sarah clutched the door handle as Aunt June screeched into the parking lot. She slammed the car into park so fast that it rocked with the abruptness of the action. As Aunt June turned the car off, the engine knocked from the exertion of the trip.
“Good thing there aren’t any cops around,” Sarah muttered, as she climbed from the car.
“No doubt, girlfriend,” Jackie said with a smirk.
The girls followed Aunt June through the hospital doors. People clogged the hallway. Some had been injured and some were looking for injured victims. Sarah groaned. It would take forever to find the teacher.
“Come on, girls,” Aunt June said.
Traveling behind her, Sarah spied a long line of people waiting to be directed to various hospital rooms. She tapped her aunt on the shoulder and motioned for her to get in line.
Sarah stood behind her aunt and stared at the people of Harrisburg. Their faces were lined with worry and fear as they inquired about loved ones who had been in or near the explosion. It saddened Sarah to see their pain and she wished she could ease it somehow. All of a sudden, a bolt of anger erupted in her belly. Who in the world would do this to these people? Sarah shook her head and stepped forward. Aunt June was next in line.
“Hello, we’d like to know if you have anyone here by the name of Walter Bennett?” Aunt June asked in a hopeful voice.
“No one by that name,” the nurse behind the desk said.
Aunt June’s shoulders sagged. “How about Ali Hameedi?”
The nurse pushed some of her hair back into her bun. Sarah could tell it had been a long day from the weary expression she wore as she typed on her keyboard. “He’s in room four-twelve. Go down the hall to your right and you’ll run into the elevators.”
From the woman’s lack of compassion, Sarah knew she’d spoken these words about a million times today.
Aunt June nodded her thanks and turned in the direction the nurse pointed. The girls followed close on her heels. They wove their way through the throngs of people. It seemed everyone from town had gathered at the hospital.
“Come on girls,” Aunt June instructed as she wedged her way into the crowded elevator. “There’s room for us.”
The group sandwiched themselves between people and Sarah pushed the button to the fourth floor. Slowly, the elevator doors closed.
Sarah was jammed against a man who obviously smoked. The scent of stale cigarettes filled her nostrils, making it hard for her to breathe. Her stomach turned and her body grew hot. Her heart thundered against her ribs. A sudden, sharp pain in her chest made Sarah cry out. Irrational thoughts gripped her mind. SUFFOCATION blinked in her brain like a huge, red neon sign. There isn’t enough air! Overwhelming fear gripped Sarah as she pushed all the buttons on the elevator. She heard Jackie’s voice, but it sounded muffled and far away.
“I’m having a heart attack,” Sarah gasped.
“I’m here, Sarah,” Aunt June said. She grabbed Sarah’s arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “You’re having a panic attack. Focus on me. Can you recite the Presidents in order for me?”
“Washington, Adams…”
She had named six of the Presidents when the elevator jolted to a stop. The doors slid open and the people allowed Sarah and her group to leave first. Sarah took several deep breaths and the closed-in feeling eased.
“Just breathe,” Aunt June instructed.
“Okay.” Sarah gulped. Her heart slowed and the pain subsided. “I feel better.”
Aunt June smiled. “Good.”
“What in the world happened?”
“You had a panic attack. It’s not surprising with all that’s happened today.”
“Will it come back?”
“It’s hard to tell. Have you ever had one like that before?”
Sarah thought a moment. “No, but I always feel kind of funny in tight spaces.”
“Really? Sounds like you’re claustrophobic.”
Sarah frowned. “For real?”
“Yeah, maybe with all the stress you’ve been under, it’s coming to the surface, so to speak.”
Sarah shrugged. “Maybe.”
“What you need to do is refocus your mind when you get that feeling.”
“Like naming the Presidents?”
Aunt June nodded. “Yes, you inhale and then exhale when you say each President’s name. It helps you get control of your breathing.”
“Or I could just take the stairs.” Sarah pointed toward the stairwell.
“Or you could just take the stairs,” Aunt June repeated with a wry laugh. “You’ve always been one to solve your own problems haven’t you, Sarah?”
She cracked a grin. “I guess so.”
“Are you ready to go down to Mr. Hameedi’s room?”
“Yes, I’m ready.” Sarah stood and searched the wall. She found the room numbers and arrows pointing them in the right direction.
“This way, guys.” Sarah’s stomach fluttered as she hurried down the hall. When she reached room four-twelve, she stopped and stared. Her aunt was only a few steps behind her.
“I think I should go in first.” Aunt June put a firm hand on Sarah’s shoulder and squeezed.
“No way,” Sarah argued. “I want to find out what happened to Uncle Walt.”
“I said wait here. I’ll be back in a second.”
Sarah groaned. More waiting, the one thing she wasn’t good at. She paced while Jackie and Lacey trailed behind her. After what seemed like hours, Aunt June stepped back into the hall wearing a somber expression.
“Well?” Sarah demanded.
“He’s asleep. I waited, but he didn’t wake up.” Aunt June sighed and bit her lip.
“Come on.” Sarah grabbed her aunt’s arm and led her down the hall. “I think I saw a waiting room this way.”
Her aunt allowed herself to be led to the waiting area. Fortunately, there were some empty chairs and Aunt June sat down. Lacey took the seat next to her.
“Why d
on’t I get you something cold to drink?” Sarah offered.
“I’ll go with you,” Jackie piped up.
Aunt June gave Sarah a grateful smile and nodded her head.
“I saw some vending machines this way.” Sarah pointed down the hall in the direction of room four-twelve.
Sarah and Jackie exchanged a conspiratorial look before taking off down the hall.
“What are you going to say?”
“I don’t know. I’ll make it up as I go along.” Sarah stopped in front of the door of Ali Hameedi’s room, hoping this man could give her some answers. “You be the look out.”
“You got it,” Jackie whispered and stood arrow straight in the hall with her arms at her side, scanning the area for signs of trouble.
Sarah took a deep breath before pushing the door open. She was surprised at how still the room was. The door didn’t squeak, giving her away. She almost wished it had. It would make introducing herself that much easier.
“Mr. Hameedi?”
Silence. Sarah walked closer to the bed. Lying there was a man. His right side was bundled in bandages. A low hum invaded Sarah’s consciousness—it was some sort of pump, connected to a tube in his chest.
The yellowish liquid inside the tube made Sarah squeamish and she took an involuntary step back. She averted her gaze and looked at his face. He was dark-skinned, with a hook-nose, and long, thick lashes below black, bushy eyebrows. There were a variety of cuts on his face and the right side seemed swollen.
“Mr. Hameedi?” Sarah asked again. She spoke louder this time, still no response.
Sarah took a deep breath and walked to the side of the bed, reached over, and shook his uninjured shoulder slightly. His eyelids fluttered and then he was still. Sighing, Sarah shook his shoulder again, harder this time. His eyes flickered open and he looked at her.
Sarah cleared her throat. “Mr. Hameedi.”
He closed his eyes. She shook him for a third time. His eyes opened lazily like he was in that state between sleep and wakefulness. It’s like he’s on drugs. Sarah then realized he probably was on pain medication. With a deep sigh, he closed his eyes again. Sarah pursed her lips and exhaled a deep breath.
She shook his shoulder again and said, “Mr. Hameedi, sir?”
His eyes fluttered open and Sarah could tell he was trying to focus on her.