Lies Never Sleep

by Stacy Claflin

  “You ready?” Morgan’s voice broke through her thoughts.

  “Yeah. Let’s do this.”

  They made their way to the building and walked through the empty halls until they reached the office.

  The secretary didn’t appear surprised to see them. “Here to ask more questions about Atlas?”

  Morgan stepped forward. “Yes. We’d also like to speak with Ms. Johnston again. Is it her free period?”

  “It is, but she didn’t come in today.”

  Lila’s heart skipped a beat. The teacher wasn’t there? That was convenient.

  “Why not?” Morgan stepped closer to the desk.

  “Not sure, exactly. I didn’t speak with her.”

  “So you don’t know where she is?” Lila stepped forward.

  “Home sick? I’m sorry, but I really don’t know. Do you still want me to write you a pass?”

  Morgan nodded. “We’d still like to ask more questions if that’s okay.”

  The secretary nodded as she typed on the keyboard. “Ask away. I hope you get an answer that leads right to them. I can’t believe they’ve been missing so long.”

  “Three days.” Lila’s chest tightened.

  “At least we know he’s alive. Everyone’s talking about that video.” She grabbed the passes and handed them to Morgan and Lila. “I haven’t seen it, but it sounds promising.”

  Lila frowned. “I wouldn’t exactly call it promising, but I am relieved to see him alive.”

  Morgan put his arm around her, and they went out into the quiet hallway.

  She turned to him. “What now?”

  “While we’re here, let’s ask some questions to any kids we find. I’m going to find Ms. Johnston’s address, and we’ll head there next.”

  Lila just nodded. Her heart was growing heavier, and the fact that the teacher wasn’t at school added to the weight. Could it be true that Atlas was seeing his teacher?

  Morgan pushed open a door, and Lila realized they were at the library. She’d been so lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed where they were going.

  More than a dozen kids were spread out at the tables, and several others were looking at books on the shelves.

  “Can I help you?” A woman in her early fifties with short straight hair and a pinched nose came over, lugging a pile of books.

  Morgan held out his pass. “We’re Atlas James’s parents, and we have permission to ask the students about him and Emmett Powell.”

  The woman frowned. “It’s just awful about those boys going missing. Such good kids, too. Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Lila stepped away from Morgan’s arm. “Do you have any idea what might’ve happened to them? Have you heard any kids whispering about their whereabouts? Any teachers talking about it?”

  Her eyes widened. “No, nothing like that. Rumors and theories are flying around like a pack of wild geese, but I haven’t heard anything conclusive. I’d have certainly gone to the police with anything like that.”

  “Please do, if you hear anything at all.”

  She nodded.

  Morgan pulled out a business card. “And give us a call, as well.”

  “Will do.” She glanced at the card. “Dr. James.”

  Lila took a step toward the tables. “Is it okay if we talk to the kids?”

  “Be my guest. I hope you learn something useful.” She gave them a sad smile before ambling away.

  “Where do you want to start?” Morgan asked.

  “Let’s divide and conquer. I’ll talk to the girls, and you talk to the guys.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Morgan marched over to a kid with several open textbooks who was staring off into space.

  Lila took a deep breath and looked at all the girls in the library to see if any were familiar. If anyone was friends with either Atlas or Emmett, they’d be the most likely to know something.

  A girl with thick curly red hair and earbuds looked like someone the boys had been friends with several years ago. It was a start.

  Lila walked over to the girl and tapped her shoulder.

  She pulled out her earbuds and glanced up at Lila with wide eyes.

  “Sorry to bother you, but I’m—”

  “Atlas’s mom.” She nodded. “I remember. I’m Georgia. Atlas, Emmett, and I had that big project together back in the eighth grade. We were always at each other’s houses for that semester.”

  Lila sat two seats away. “I thought that was you. My husband and I—” Lila nodded toward Morgan. “—are trying to find out if anyone knows anything about what happened to Atlas and Emmett.”

  Georgia’s expression dropped. “I wish I knew something. Even though I haven’t talked to them in so long, I’m sick over what happened. I just can’t believe someone would do that to them.”

  “You can’t think of anyone who would have something against them?”

  She glanced to the side and tapped her fingers on the table. “No. Most everyone likes them.”

  “Most everyone?” A prick of hope nudged Lila. “Who has something against them?”

  “Well, there’s Sawyer McLeary who’s always in competition with Emmett for the leading roles in the plays. But I can’t see him doing anything like this.”

  “Sawyer McLeary.” Lila pulled out her phone and made a note. “Anyone else?”

  Georgia tapped the table again. “Trevor Parkway was pretty jealous of Atlas winning that last computer competition. He tripped him in the hall, then another time shoved his tray on the floor in the cafeteria. But that was last year. I haven’t seen anything this year.”

  Lila hid her disgust and made another note. “Trevor Parkway. Got it. Do you think he wants to cause any real harm to Atlas?”

  “Probably not. I mean, if he wanted to, he probably would have by now. Honestly, I think he’s moved on.”

  Lila made some more notes. “Can you think of anyone else who might have something against either of them?”

  “No, not really. They don’t have enemies. Just some kids jealous of them.”

  “Thanks, Georgia.” Lila rose. “If you think of anything else, can you let us know?”

  “Sure, if you give me your number.”

  They exchanged phone numbers, then Lila went around the room and asked the other girls questions about Atlas and Emmett. None of the others knew anything.

  Morgan came over to her. “Did you get anything?”

  “The names of two kids who are jealous of the boys.”

  “That’s more than I got. Want to visit you-know-who?”

  Lila nodded. “Unless you want to look some more into the two boys I got names of, who are jealous.”

  Morgan looked deep in thought for a moment. “How envious are they?”

  “Likely not enough to be behind this. Worth looking into, though.”

  “In that case, let’s focus on her. Then we can dig into the boys.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Once in the car, Morgan pulled out his phone. “I’m going to find Ms. Johnston’s address.”

  Lila started the car, then checked the social media profiles of Sawyer and Trevor, not finding anything that made her think either one of them were out to get Atlas or Emmett.

  “Found it!” Morgan exclaimed. “It was unlisted, but easy enough to get.”

  Lila rubbed her aching neck. “How far away?”

  “Maybe fifteen minutes. I’ll put it in the GPS.” He entered the information, and it showed twelve minutes.

  She glanced at his arm. “Sure you’re up for it?”

  “I’m up for whatever it will take to get Atlas back. We need to figure out how to save him. That video wouldn’t have been released if there wasn’t a way, and I intend to find it.”

  “So do I.” She pulled out of the spot and followed the directions until they pulled into the parking lot of an apartment complex.

  “We really should pay more attention to the people teaching our kids,” Morgan said.

  “I’ve alw
ays thought so.” Lila headed for Ms. Johnston’s building near the back and found a spot in the front. Her heart raced. She hated confrontation and really didn’t want proof that their son was actually dating a teacher.

  They trekked up three flights of stairs and found her apartment.

  “Think she’s home?” Lila stared at the door.

  “We’ll find out.” Morgan knocked on the door.

  “Hold on!” came a feminine voice from inside.

  Lila’s stomach twisted. Were they about to find out the truth?

  27

  Dr. Morgan James

  * * *

  Rushed footsteps sounded on the other side of the door. Morgan’s mouth went dry. For as much of a brave face as he was putting on for Lila, dread filled him. His last conversation with the teacher hadn’t gone well, and he didn’t anticipate this one going much better. The only thing on their side was that Ms. Johnston might relax with Lila there.

  Morgan took Lila’s hand in his and forced a smile.

  The door flung open. Ms. Johnston stood there wearing a short floral romper dress and her hair in a messy bun. “Sorry to keep you…” Her voice trailed off and her eyes widened. “…waiting. What are you doing here, Mr. James?”

  “Dr. James,” he corrected. “My wife Lila and I want to ask you a few questions about Atlas, if you don’t mind.”

  Her expression twisted for a moment, but then she smiled. “Sure. Come on in. I don’t have a lot of time right now, but I’d be happy to help.”

  They stepped inside the bright apartment with trendy furnishings. She led them to the living room and motioned for them to sit on the loveseat. She sat on a recliner.

  Morgan realized he hadn’t actually introduced them, so he did. Then he got down to business. “We’re here because we have some additional questions about Atlas.”

  Ms. Johnston nodded. “I really hope he’s found soon. I’m worried about him. I’ve never had anything like this happen to one of my students.” She glanced at his arm. “What happened? You didn’t have that yesterday.”

  Nice deflection. He rubbed his arm. “I was shot, but that’s not why we’re here.”

  “Shot?” The teacher’s eyes widened. “How did that happen?”

  “It’s a long story, but that’s not important. Have you heard anything about Atlas and Emmett? Kids talking, or anything like that?”

  She frowned and shook her head. “If they’re saying anything, it’s out of my earshot.”

  Lila leaned forward. “Why aren’t you at work today?”

  “My car’s having problems. It’s in the shop, and that’s actually why I don’t have a lot of time right now. Once the mechanic calls, I’ll have to run to the bus stop and take three buses to get there.”

  “We could always take you,” Morgan said.

  She gave him a double-take. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You’re not asking. I’m offering. You help us by answering our questions about Atlas, and we’ll drive you to the shop if we set you behind schedule.”

  “Thanks.” She squirmed in the chair.

  Lila cleared her throat. “Do you know Sawyer McLeary or Trevor Parkway?”

  “Do you think they’re involved?”

  “We have reason to believe they have motive, but there’s no way to know anything just yet.”

  A strange look covered Ms. Johnston’s face. Was it relief? She sat up straight. “Trevor’s in one of my classes. He gets distracted easily and disrupts the lesson once in a while, but I don’t know if he’s friends with either Atlas or Emmett.

  “He’s not.” Lila shook her head. “Have you heard him talking about the boys? Anything at all?”

  “Not that I can recall. Almost everything out of his mouth is about some video game. That one all the kids are playing. I can’t think of the name. Last Knight or something?”

  Morgan nodded. He couldn’t remember what it was called, either. Atlas had been playing it and watching online videos of other kids, mostly British, playing it, but Morgan had brushed it off as another soon-to-be forgotten fad.

  “Nothing about Sawyer?” Lila asked.

  She shook her head. “I’ve heard the name, but don’t know anything about him.”

  Morgan and Lila exchanged a glance. He wanted her to ask if she was seeing Atlas.

  Lila turned her attention back to Ms. Johnston. “You haven’t heard the kids saying anything about where the boys could be? Or anyone who they suspect?”

  Morgan looked around the room while the teacher gave a long-winded answer, basically saying she hadn’t heard anything. The apartment was bright and cheery enough to make it feel bigger than it actually was. He hoped to find something of Atlas’s. Something to prove she had more of his things that she shouldn’t.

  Something to get her talking. To finally tell them the truth.

  “Do you want something to eat or drink?” Ms. Johnston asked. “Sorry I didn’t ask sooner. I wasn’t expecting company, so you kind of threw me for a loop.”

  Morgan’s mouth was still parched. “I’d appreciate something to drink. I haven’t had anything since I left the hospital.”

  “Sure.” She smiled and turned to Lila. “What about you?”

  Lila shook her head. “No, thank you.”

  As soon as Ms. Johnston disappeared around the corner, Morgan turned to Lila and whispered. “Look around and see if you can find anything of Atlas’s.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “You really think she’s going to leave something like that lying around?”

  “Yeah. She wasn’t expecting us to come over. This is her home turf, where she feels comfortable. I’m keeping an eye out, too.”

  “I’ll look.”

  Ms. Johnston returned with two peach-flavored sparkling waters. She handed one to Morgan, then turned to Lila. “Sure you don’t want anything?”

  “Actually, those do look good. Thank you.”

  “No problem.” She handed the other drink to Lila, then went back around the corner.

  Morgan and Lila rose and studied the room. As soon as they heard her approaching, they both sat and opened the cans. The three of them sat in silence, sipping their drinks. He and Lila glanced around the room without being obvious.

  Once he’d finished his drink, he set the can on the table and faced Ms. Johnston. “What did you think of that video?”

  Her brows drew together. “What video?”

  “You didn’t see the video?”

  “No. What is it?”

  Lila nearly dropped her drink. “Of Atlas begging for his life.”

  Ms. Johnston’s face paled considerably. “He…? Where is he? What did he say? Is he okay?”

  Morgan exchanged a glance with Lila. The teacher seemed genuinely shocked and concerned. Maybe a little too concerned.

  Lila cleared her throat. “It was really dark. He basically just begged for us to save him.”

  Ms. Johnston whipped out her phone. “Where’s the video?”

  “Everywhere. It’s gone viral.”

  She gasped and slid her finger around the screen until the sounds of the video played. She watched, wide-eyed and lips parted.

  Lila sniffled and leaned against Morgan. He put his arm around her, but kept his attention on Ms. Johnston. She stiffened both at Atlas’s mention of a girlfriend and at wanting to go to the savanna.

  That was all the confirmation Morgan needed. “What do you think?”

  She looked up at him and spoke with a shaky voice. “How do we find him?”

  Lila wiped her eyes. “That’s what we’re trying to figure out.”

  Morgan sat up taller. “The only way we stand a chance at finding the boys is if we know the whole truth about everything. That’s why we’ve been questioning everyone they know—teachers, students, neighbors. Anyone.”

  Ms. Johnston nodded, tears shining in her eyes. “I’ll do anything.”

  Morgan leaned toward her. “Have you been seeing our son?”

  She
closed her eyes, spilling tears, and took a deep breath. Then she looked Morgan in the eyes. “We’ve spent a great deal of time together because I’ve been tutoring him. He was really struggling with the subject matter, but he was determined to learn it. I hate to see someone having such a hard time with math, so I offered my help before and after school.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question. Are you having a relationship with Atlas?”

  “He’s my student. We have a teacher-student relationship.”

  “Nothing more?” Lila countered. “Morgan told me about you having his pens.”

  Ms. Johnston set her can down and blinked several times. “Did he also tell you that I have a collection of students’ pens and pencils? Not to mention erasers, hair clips, and other items kids leave behind when eager to escape a classroom.”

  “But two of his favorite prized pens?” Lila sat up taller.

  “I didn’t realize they were special.” She pulled her hair out of the bun and slid the hair tie around her wrist. “Somehow one of them ended up in my drawer. I suppose I used it, then stuck it there without thinking.”

  “When did you start tutoring Atlas?” Morgan asked.

  “Last spring, when he transferred from another math class. Mr. Montgomery was worried about him failing and knew I’ve had good luck with struggling kids.”

  Lila turned to Morgan. “I didn’t realize he was having so much trouble in math. Did you?”

  Morgan shook his head no.

  “Students don’t always like to admit these things to their parents. It makes them feel like failures.”

  Morgan noticed that when she kept referring to other students as kids, but said students when referring to Atlas. He wanted to ask her about that, but decided to bring that up later. By itself, it wasn’t much to go on, but with everything else, it screamed of a cover-up. She had to be carefully hiding a truth.

  Lila frowned. “Still, it seems like something the school should tell us.”