“Have you had breakfast?” my grandmother asked. Ever the hostess, she always made sure that those around her had something to eat and drink.
“I have eaten. But I’d love some tea, thank you.”
Minutes later, I sat at the counter with a fresh cup of tea made by my always-quiet grandfather, along with some ‘just in case’ scones. Normally, I’d nibble on the scones, but right now my stomach was still churning.
Axel was busy in the kitchen, flipping pancakes and tending to a sizzling pan of bacon. He called a hello over his shoulder with a welcoming smile and a wave of a spatula.
The cheerful camaraderie and chatter in the kitchen ground to a halt when everyone’s cell phones pinged at once. I looked down at my screen to see a group message from Indigo.
Sapphire is gone. Omar and
I are on our way over. Be
there in 5. Calling Jaxson.
“What in the name of heaven?” Grandmother shouted. “What does she mean ‘gone’?”
Grandmother pushed the buttons on her phone so hard I thought it might break. “It’s gone right to voicemail.”
My grandfather came to her side and put his arm around her shoulders. “She’s probably talking to Jaxson. They are on their way. It’s a five-minute drive. They’ll explain when they get here.”
A few minutes later, I heard a police siren. I realized just then how rare that sound was here. Back in Seattle, I tuned it out. In the city, there was always a reason for a police car, an aid car, or a fire truck. I realized that here, in Destiny Falls, I rarely heard or saw any of these.
We all paced the room. There were quiet murmurs of concern and questions. One by one, everyone walked to the window to look out at the driveway. Sure enough, five minutes later, Omar and Indigo’s car sped up the driveway. The sheriff’s vehicle, siren screaming, and lights ablaze was right behind them.
Indigo jumped out of the passenger side of the car before Omar had fully come to a stop. She didn’t even bother to shut the door behind her. Omar slammed the car in park and came rushing out after her. Jaxson parked and ran up to the door behind them.
Jaxson held his hand up to the group of us. “No one talk but Omar.” He turned to face Indigo’s husband. “Explain what happened.”
Omar was, as always, reserved and serious, but spoke quickly. “We dropped Ian off at my brother’s, then went to Sapphire’s home. She didn’t answer multiple rings and knocks at the door, even though she was expecting us. We walked around to the back of the house to find her patio door glass broken and the door wide open. She was not in the house. We found this note on the counter.”
He held a piece of paper out to Jaxson, who read it aloud in his booming sheriff-mode voice:
You have what I want.
Now I have something you want.
Meet me at the ferry tomorrow
just before first sailing.
Don’t try any funny business or she dies.
I will trade the girl for the box.
Then I will get on the ferry, and she
will come off. No one try to stop me.
Every voice except mine gasped in unison, “What box?”
33
There was a heartbeat of quiet while my brain and body were frozen in shock. Then I forced my mouth to work.
“I have the box,” I said.
“What do you mean you have the box?” Axel’s voice came out in a roar. I’d never heard him raise his voice or display any anger. He was frightening when he was mad, especially because he directed it at me.
“It was delivered to me the day of the postal worker’s assault.”
“And you have hidden it from us? Why, Hayden?” Axel’s jaw was tense, his hands were in fists, planted on his hips. Jaxson was beside him, an eerie twin of anger and frustration.
I felt numb all over, and I could barely breathe. I sucked in a ragged breath and tried to explain, “I met the ferry captain at the café. She cornered me and told me she had secrets. That she had something for me. She said if I told anyone, it would result in danger to our family. She said it was a matter of life or death.”
“Do you not trust us? Did you not think we would be equipped to handle this?” Axel’s face was tight and red. “And now my sister—your sister!—is gone.”
“But . . . she said it was life or death! And then she died! Was murdered! I was terrified that if I told anyone about the box, it would mean putting all of you at risk!” I could feel tears filling my eyes, and my chest felt heavy with fear and confusion. “I’ve been careful.”
“Careful?” Axel bit out the word. “You realize there has been a murder? And the victim sent you the box? Careful would have been you telling me what’s happening. Not dropping clues like this is some Nancy Drew mystery. Go!” he yelled, pointing at the house. “Get us that box.”
I rushed past the family, seeing the disappointment, fear, and anger on all their faces. I was crushed. I thought I was protecting them, but I had made everything worse. Now Sapphire was in danger! I ran up the stairs. I tore into the closet and threw the blankets and laundry aside.
I turned around to see Latifa staring at me with big, round eyes. “Calm down, Cupcake. What’s the rush?”
“Oh, Latifa!” I cried. “I’ve made a huge mistake.” I felt the tears dripping down my face. “Someone has kidnapped Sapphire! Kidnapped! By someone who wants this box.” I pounded my fists on the box.
“I knew it was important. But I had no idea! Now she’s in danger. She could be hurt! And the entire family hates me!” I sobbed.
“Honey, honey. Nobody hates you,” Latifa crooned. “Family can be mad at you and not hate you. Take them
