69. Stuck

I sit on a bench on the sidewalk lining Sable Road and the buildings behind me, between Brennan’s where Mom used to work and the sheriff’s office.

If lava suddenly began to spill out onto the road, I wouldn’t really be surprised.

Or if that giant boulder chasing down Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark suddenly came zipping by, I wouldn’t be surprised by that either.

At this point nothing surprises me.

Nothing.

I sip on a soda and think about what just happened.

I guess I hadn’t really thought what would happen if I actually caught Jared. What was I going to do?

But I know what he will be doing. The same thing he’s been doing ever since I got to town. Spying. Staying in the shadows. Seeing what I’m up to. And sharing all his little notes with Marsh and Staunch.

Since it’s the start of spring break, there’s no way to tell Mr. Meiners about being spotted. I’ll figure out how to find him this week.

They’ll have to come up with another place to meet.

Well, Chris, we ran out of places, so how about your cabin?

A few cars pass as I sit here. I don’t bother looking to see if someone’s glaring out of them. Maybe Aunt Alice is driving a tiny car, looking for another mannequin for her house.

I sigh and rub my cheek and jaw. They feel swollen.

It’s spring break.

And this is where I’m stuck.