Chapter 48

“Come straight home on the bus,” Mom said the next morning.

Ashley bristled.

“But Ash has more houses to take her catalog to,” I said. “And we left one at this lady’s place. I bet she’ll buy a whole page.”

Mom sighed. “Sam and I agree it’s not a good idea for you guys to be out alone. Dylan has a doctor’s appointment later or I’d take you.”

“Can we walk?” Ashley said.

Mom shook her head. “It’ll have to wait until I get home.”

“But, Mom—,” Ashley started.

“Bus!” Dylan shouted.

At school I saw Cammy and Tracy talking to a group. When Cammy saw us she whispered something. Ashley walked past without a word.

Back home that afternoon I looked for the Ingrams’ phone number on the Internet and in the phone book. No luck. Then I went into the database of The Gazette from Colorado Springs and searched for any story with Danny Ingram in it. I came up empty.

By the time Mom got back, she had to get dinner started. She said we could go candle selling later, but after a few phone calls and word that Sam would be late, it was almost dark. Ashley brooded like a wounded animal, but it didn’t do any good.

Tuesday afternoon Mom drove us into town. We didn’t want her to know we had gone as far as the Ingram house, but there was no denying it. “If I’d have known you were coming this far,” she said, “I’d never have agreed.”

She waited in the car while Ashley and I walked to the gate. The catalog was sticking out of the newspaper box. Ashley opened it quickly and looked at the order form. It was partially filled out with their name and phone number, but nothing was checked to order.

I pushed the Intercom button, but there was no answer.

A police cruiser drove by, kicking up dust.