The Maine Events, Rodney Riesel [best books to read in your 20s TXT] 📗

said she had seen Jacob at DairyQueen in Wells. Another woman reported seeing him in Kittery. One crazy old mansaid he had a premonition that Jacob had been abducted by aliens. Hotlinesbring out all the wackos.

Jay and Tess Palmer appeared on a local TV station Sundayevening asking for their son to contact them, and let them know he was okay.They even pleaded with unidentified abductors for his safe return.

Allen walked through the office door with Frankie on aleash. As he crossed the parking lot on his way to the grass, Donnie pulled indriving his Mini Cooper; he had a passenger. Allen unhooked Frankie, and thedog ran for the grass.

Donnie parked and got out of his car.

“How's it going out there?” Allen asked.

“We searched all morning at a place called Highland FarmPreserve,” Donnie answered. “Nothing.”

Donnie's passenger walked up to the two men. He nodded atAllen.

“Allen, this is Bill Rankins,” said Donnie. “He was mysearch partner this morning.”

“How's it going?” said Allen.

Bill shrugged. “I wish it was going better,” he saidsomberly. He glanced over at door number four. “That boy's poor parents.”

“We just came back so I could change my tennis shoes,”Donnie said. He lifted his mud soaked shoe to show Allen. “Then we're meetingon Jefferson Lane to search a wooded area between here and Kittery.”

“Frankie and I are headed to Portsmouth in a bit to put upfliers,” Allen said. “How long you think you're sticking around?”

“Until we know something,” Donnie replied. “I couldn't justleave without knowing.”

Allen nodded. “Cam and Mildred said the same thing. Theywent with a group to search some caves somewhere.”

Frankie finished his business and ran back to Allen. Donniescratched the dog's head.

“I better get these shoes changed,” Donnie said.

“And Frankie and I better head to Portsmouth,” said Allen.

The three men parted, and Allen and Frankie jumped inAllen's Jeep. As Allen was about to pull out onto Long Sands Road, his cellphone rang.

“Hey, Mike. What's up?” Allen answered. He slid the shifterinto park.

“Allen, just finished reading your manuscript. Fantastic.This is some of your best writing to date. We've definitely got a best sellerhere.”

“Thanks, Mike.”

“How about if we shoot for a November release, right beforethe holidays?”

“Whatever you think, Mike. That's up to you.”

“What's the matter, pal? You sound down. Are you taking yourmedication? You're not drinking are you?”

“You're my publisher, Mike, not my shrink.”

“I'm also your cousin, Allen. What's wrong?”

Allen glanced over at the flier-filled manila envelope onhis passenger seat. “It's a long story,” he said. “I gotta go, Mike. I'll callyou later.”

“Sure thing, Allen. You take care of yourself.”

Allen hung up his cell phone and tossed it onto theenvelope. Just as he was about to put the Jeep back in gear, someone knocked onhis driver's side window.

“Jesus!” Allen said, almost jumping out of his skin.

“Roll down the window,” said Mya.

Allen rolled it down. “You scared the shit outta me,” hesaid.

“Sorry. Where ya headed?”

“Portsmouth.”

“Why?”

“Put up fliers.”

“You want some company?” She looked into the back seat. “Imean besides Frankie. Hey, boy.”

Frankie was trying to get his head between the window andAllen's seat.

“Sure, I'd like that,” Allen said. He reached down andpressed the button to unlock the doors. “Hop in.”

Mya walked around the Jeep and got in. She placed theenvelope on her lap. Allen shifted into drive, and pulled out of the parkinglot.

“I called you a bunch of times,” Allen said, figuring hemight as well get it out there. “Left a few messages.”

“I know. I'm sorry.”

“So, what's going on? I thought we had a nice time on ourdate.”

“We did. I had a very nice time.”

“Then what's the problem?”

“It's complicated.”

“It's complicated? What is this, a Facebook status?”

“Don't make fun of me.”

“I'm not making fun of you. I just want to know why youseemed so interested in me … and then suddenly you didn't. Friday afternoonwhen we spoke on the beach, you said you had a great time. We kissed a few times.Had some laughs. I thought we were hitting it off. Well, were we ornot?”

Mya didn't reply.

Allen brought the Jeep to a stop at the stop sign, thenturned left to remain on Long Sands Road.

“Then you show up today and tell me once again that you hada very nice time. Now you're just sitting there, refusing to answer me. If youdon't want to see me again, just say so.”

Allen looked over at Mya. She just stared out the frontwindshield at the road ahead.

“Is it Jim Tucker?” Allen asked. “Did he say something?”

Still nothing from Mya.

Allen played his trump card. “You told Harriet Rose thatTucker had anger and jealousy issues.”

“How do you know that?” Mya snapped.

“Harriet told me when I was over there for dinner. What'sthat all about?”

Mya took a deep breath and exhaled. “Jim stopped me on thestreet Friday afternoon when I was walking to work—right after you and Ispoke.”

“Okay.”

“He asked me to get in the car. He said he would give me aride the rest of the way. I told him I didn't think that was a good idea, andhe said he just wanted to talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“Us.”

“You and me?”

“Him and me. He told me he wanted to get backtogether and see if we could make it work.”

“What did you tell him?”

“I told him we had tried three times before, and that Ididn't think it was a good idea. We just weren't meant to be together.”

“How did he respond?”

“He punched the roof of the car a bunch of times, and thenpunched the dashboard and steering wheel.”

“He didn't hit you, did he?”

“No, but he yelled a lot. He kept asking me what was wrongwith me that I couldn't see we were meant to be together.”

Allen shook his head. “What's wrong with you?” herepeated. “It doesn't seem like you're the problem. Why were you late forwork?”

“Because he kept driving around. I was afraid to sayanything until after he calmed down. Then I had him drop me off at my place andI drove to work.”

“So, you are afraid of him.”

“That's not what I meant.”

“Are you sure?” Allen turned left off Spur Road, and speddown the ramp, merging onto I-95 toward Portsmouth. “So, why shut me