Suspicions Read Online Free PDF Page A

be a safe place where we send our children
and not worry if they're going to come home to us. A little shiver
of fear shot up her spine.
    I think I'll walk Robby and Nikki to school
and back until Kyle comes home.
    When Stacey tiptoed into Robby's room, she
was surprised to see he was still awake.
    “What's wrong, Robby? You should be asleep by
now.” She sat on the edge of his bed, automatically laying the back
of her hand against his forehead to check for warmth.
    “Why were the police at Kyle's house?” His
eyes were enormous and his brow puckered with worry.
    She stroked his cheek. “They just had to ask
his Mom and Dad some questions.”
    Robby's brow relaxed, although he still
looked anxious. “Can I play with Kyle tomorrow?”
    Afraid of scaring him, she was hesitant to
give him all the details. “Are you sure you don't know where Kyle
went after school today?”
    Tears formed in his eyes. “I told you, Mom. I
don't know where he went.”
    “Okay. I'm sorry. I believe you.” She smiled
gently. “Now go to sleep. You have school in the morning.”
    “I don't want to go to school tomorrow.”
    His comment surprised Stacey. He usually
loved to go to school. “Why not? Isn't tomorrow the assembly you've
been looking forward to? The one with the magician?”
    “Yeah, I guess.” He looked at Stacey with
hope. “But will you walk to school with me?”
    “I'd love to,” Stacey told him, glad he asked
but not understanding why. It was usually a point of pride for him
to walk to school without mom tagging along.
    “Okay, Mom. Goodnight.” He turned his head on
the pillow and closed his eyes.
    Stacey stayed a few minutes longer, until she
heard the telltale sound of his even breathing. What would it be
like, she pondered, to not have a care in the world?
    She wondered how long it would take her to
fall asleep this night.
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Day 2 – Tuesday
     
    Soft music woke Stacey from her fitful sleep.
Forcing her eyes open, she looked at the clock and saw it was
six-thirty. Reaching over to turn off her radio alarm, she glanced
back at her husband and recognized the peaceful expression on his
face. Coupled with the sound of his quiet snoring, she realized he
was a long way from consciousness. Typical, she thought. He could
sleep through an earthquake.
    Morning sunlight worked its way through the
closed blinds and she knew it was time to get up. A soft sigh
escaped her lips as she pushed herself out of bed. Once she was
fully awake, the events of the previous day crashed into her mind.
Was Kyle back? Had they found him? Though desperate to know, Stacey
didn't want to call Amanda at this early hour.
    I'll go over to her house as soon as the
children are off to school, she decided.
    After she showered and dressed, she went into
the kitchen to prepare breakfast and wait for the rest of the
household to come to life. While pouring the pancake batter onto
the hot griddle, Jason strolled in looking wide-awake. The aroma of
bacon mingled with the smell of warm pancakes as Jason wandered
around to Stacey's side of the counter.
    “What are your plans today?” he asked,
leaning against the counter.
    “As soon as I get the kids to school, I’m
going to Amanda’s to see what’s happened with Kyle.” She scooped up
the golden pancakes and put them on a plate.
    As Jason sat down to eat, Robby wandered in
rubbing his eyes. He was still in his Superman pajamas and his
brown hair stuck up in places.
    “Good morning, sweetheart,” Stacey said.
“Come and have some pancakes and then go get dressed for school.
Remember I get to walk to school with you today.”
    “Can Kyle walk to school with us?” he asked
as he poured syrup on his pancakes.
    “Not today, honey. I don't think he's going
to school.”
    Robby looked from one parent to the other.
“Why not? Isn't he home yet?”
    “I don't know, honey. I haven't talked to his
mother. I was going to check with her after I took you and Nikki