The Rules for Disappearing Read online

  “Um, yeah, I heard,” I say. I should have been prepared to have this conversation with them, but I’m not.

  “It was that same night you disappeared,” Laura says, then turns in the front seat to face me. Her eyes look glossy, like the tears are just waiting to fall. “We’ve been worried about you. What happened to you that night? You never showed at Elle’s, and we spent hours trying to find you. Even went to some sophomore’s lame party after we saw a picture on Instagram of you making out with some guy. Does your disappearing have anything to do with what happened to Brandon?”

  Oh, God. I don’t know what to say. “It’s complicated. Sorry I’ve made you worry. And I’m sorry I can’t tell you where I’ve been.” This was a bad idea. We shouldn’t have contacted them.

  Elle looks at Laura and says, “Some things happen for a reason even if we don’t get it.” She peeks at me in the mirror. “We’re just glad you’re okay.”

  Judging from the looks between them, I know I was right. Searching for me that night was probably the only thing that kept Laura from being with Brandon. But then again, if she had hooked up with him—maybe he wouldn’t have walked into that room. I lean back in my seat and try not to think about the what-ifs. That will make me crazy.

  “What was that crazy post on Facebook about?” Laura asks. “Really, Anna, you can tell us anything. You know that.”

  “I know. I really wish I could, but please don’t ask me.”

  We ride a couple of blocks in silence until Elle changes the subject. “Okay, that guy you’re with seems crazy overprotective and all, but damn that accent is cute. I could just sit and listen to him talk all slow and smooth. He’s from the South, right?”

  Elle is being sneaky, trying to get me to give something away. “I love his accent too, but that’s all you’ll get out of me,” I say.

  The conversation moves to school, our friends, and Elle’s many boyfriends this year.

  She shrugs. “I’m not getting serious with anybody when I’m leaving for college soon. What’s the point?”

  Laura shakes her head. “That doesn’t mean you have to hook up with everybody.”

  Elle laughs. “No, that’s your job, right?”

  They laugh and I let out a weak chuckle, reminding myself they don’t know I heard them that night.

  “Have you decided where you’re going to college?” I ask them both.

  Elle nods her head toward Laura. “Miss Smarty Pants over there is going to Brown. Can you believe it?” She looks to Laura. “You know it snows there. A lot.”

  Laura just laughs. “I know, you tell me every chance you get.”

  “What about you? Where are you going?” I ask Elle.

  “L.A., baby. UCLA, to be exact.”

  That will put her close to her dad, which is probably the real reason she’s headed that direction. She didn’t handle her parents’ divorce well.

  “What about you, Anna? Where are you going?” Laura asks.

  Can’t tell them I’ll be lucky to finish high school at this point. “Undecided.”

  They both plead their cases for me to join them in their little corners of the country. I tell them I’ll think about it. If our plan tanks, I may be enrolled in the Universidad de Mexico, for all I know.

  I check behind us several times, just to make sure Ethan is back there. We get close to The Canyons, and Elle pulls into the parking lot of a gas station. She drives to the back and Ethan pulls in next to her.

  Elle drives an SUV, so no trunk. We all get out and stare at her car, thinking about the best way to handle this.

  Ethan runs his hands through his hair and talks about our options. “We don’t know if they’re looking for us. If they are, your name”—he points to Elle—“will definitely trigger a closer look.”

  Elle crosses her arms over her chest. “And who are ‘they,’ exactly?”

  Ethan shakes his head and ignores her question. He walks to the back of her car and looks in the cargo area, then turns to me. “Anna, we can lie down back here, and they can cover us up with these bags and jackets.”

  Laura looks concerned. “Is this really necessary? This seems so…bad.” She turns to me. “Are things really this serious?”

  I step closer to her. “He’s being overly cautious. We’re really not sure of anything. We just don’t want to take any chances.”

  “Are ‘they’ good guys or bad guys?” Elle doesn’t want to let it go.

  Ethan turns and stares at her. “Both.” They’re having some sort of pissing contest.

  Elle raises the back door and picks up everything inside. I crawl in and lie down on my side, scooting as far back as I can. Ethan crawls in and faces me. Elle and Laura cover us with the bags and jackets. Ethan’s face is a few inches from mine.

  “You okay riding like this?”

  “Yeah. It’s not far from here.”

  He leans forward and kisses me softly. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” And I am.

  “Good. I guess this will all be over soon, one way or another.”

  “Are you sorry you came with me?” I ask.

  “No. Not yet, anyway.”

  I laugh quietly. It’s the exact same question he asked me while we were hog hunting, and he returned my same answer.

  Elle and Laura get in the car, and we’re on our way. It’s quiet. We drive a mile or so before Elle says, “We’re coming close to the first guard’s station. Seems like there’s an extra guy out here today. Usually it’s just Miguel.”

  “How’s he dressed?” I call out.

  “He’s in a Scottsdale PD uniform,” she answers.

  So maybe the suits are using local guys out here.

  Silence for a moment.

  “They’re making me stop.”

  Not good. The sticker on Elle’s front windshield should allow us to drive past the guard without stopping.

  When the car stops, I hear the mechanical rumblings of the window being lowered.

  “Sorry to stop you, Miss Perkins, but boss said to stop everyone today.” I recognize Miguel’s voice.

  Elle, speaking louder than normal, says, “That’s fine. Why’s he looking in my windows?”

  Ethan and I freeze.

  “Sorry, miss. Don’t know why.”

  We seem to pass the inspection, because the car starts moving again.

  “Oh my God, I almost peed on myself. Who is looking for you two?” Elle’s voice is about two octaves higher than normal.

  Ethan and I don’t answer. He finds my hands underneath all the stuff and holds them tight. I’m scared. Really scared this is not going to work.

  Elle slows down, and I guess we’re at the next guard station. She shouldn’t have to stop here either, but she does. She says quietly, “Two more here. Regular guard and another police officer.”

  I take a deep breath and try to be as still as possible.

  The window rolls down again.

  This time Elle speaks first. “Frank. What’s up?”

  “Miss Perkins, sorry for the inconvenience, but we’re being a little more thorough this morning. Head office said they’ve had some reports of suspicious activity.”

  So that’s how the suits are playing it.

  “No problem.” Elle tries to sound bored, but I can hear the worry in her voice.

  “I thought you’d be at school this morning,” Frank says.

  Uh-oh. No way would the security guard that works in her neighborhood normally ask her this question.

  “Well, Frank, I thought since I live here that I could drive straight to my house without being stopped, so I guess we’re both confused this morning.”

  And that’s what happens when you question Elle. She doesn’t take shit from anybody. I hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces.

  Frank stutters out an apology, but it’s cut off when Elle rolls the window up.

  “That son of a bitch is gonna ask me where I’m going? I don’t think so.” Elle pulls away. “I’m not stopping a
t the overgrown section. The police officer stepped out in the street and is watching the car. I’m going to my house and pulling into the garage.”

  Ethan makes a foul expression, and I hear him curse under his breath. This plan is tanking fast.

  RULES FOR DISAPPEARING

  BY WITNESS PROTECTION PRISONER #18A7R04M:

  Always have a backup plan. Enough said.

  WE don’t move until the garage door closes behind Elle’s car. Ethan and I untangle ourselves once the back door opens.

  I sit in the cargo area and drop my head in my hands. Why did we ever think we could pull something like this off? The two of us against the FBI, U.S. Marshals Office, local PD, and hit men?

  Elle heads to the house. “Come inside. It’s not too late to make a new plan.”

  Laura follows her in, leaving Ethan and me alone in the garage.

  “We can still make this work,” he says. I don’t know if he’s trying to convince me or himself.

  I shake my head. “No. It’s over. We’ll never pull this off. The local cops are all over this place. You’ll be sucked into this too.” I look up at him. “I’ll get Elle to take us to the car. We’ll head back to Louisiana.”

  Ethan pulls me in close. “We didn’t come all this way to bail now. Plus, if I take you home, you’re gone. I have to save you from being Penny Sue Wannamaker from Pittsburgh.”

  I giggle. “It’s Peggy Sue.”

  “Whatever. We’re not done yet.”

  I pull away from him and pace around the garage. “I’m scared. I’m scared of getting caught by the suits. I’m scared of getting killed by Sanchez or whoever is out there hunting us. I’m scared of what could happen to you and Elle and Laura.” I stop in front of him. “I don’t know what to do.”

  Ethan stands up and pulls me into his arms. “Let’s go inside and figure it out. The ledgers are so close. We can get them and then all of this will be over.”

  He leads me to the door and into the house. Elle and Laura are sitting at the breakfast table waiting for us.

  “Sit. Talk. Whatever friggin’ mess you’re in, we can help.” Elle pats the chair next to her.

  Ethan and I take seats at the table. I give them the short and sweet version. I was at the Price house the night Brandon died. I saw something I shouldn’t have. My family is in Witness Protection. There’s something in that house that may get us out. I don’t mention the ledgers or what I may or may not do with them, since I really don’t know what that is yet.

  Both of them have dropped jaws and big eyes.

  Laura stutters out, “Did you…see him…when he…died?”

  I take a deep breath and answer, “Yes.”

  A tear rolls down her cheek. Almost a year later, Laura is still grieving for Brandon, and I feel so bad for her.

  “Can you help me get into that house?” I ask.

  It takes a few more seconds, then they’re both talking at once. I hold up a hand and they both get quiet.

  “Is the house empty or does the wife still live there?” Ethan asks.

  “She’s still there. I heard Mom talking about her the other day; she’s about to lose everything. We heard Mr. Price was crooked and someone he did business with killed him. All the money was seized, and rumor is she’s about to lose that house.” Elle turns to me with sad eyes. “The truth is, Anna, most people think your dad was in it with him, and he ran before he could get caught. That that’s why you left.”

  My poor dad. Everyone, including me, assumed the worst of him. “Well, that’s not true,” I say firmly.

  “We know. I told Elle there was no way your dad did anything wrong.”

  Great. Laura had more confidence in him than I did.

  Elle continues her story. “The wife still acts like Mrs. Rich Bitch, though. Eats lunch at the club, plays tennis every day. Total denial of what’s about to happen. Or that’s what Mom and her friend Susan were saying. The house was broken into twice and totally trashed. Cops were all over the place for a while. It’s died down since then.”

  Great. Just great.

  “She plays tennis every day? Would she be playing now?” Ethan asks.

  Elle glances at the clock on the oven. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

  “So no one’s there?” I ask.

  “Just the maid.”

  “That’s perfect.” Ethan’s rubbing his hands together like some evil movie villain who’s just thought of the perfect plan to rule the world.

  “There’s still someone there,” I say.

  “I know,” Ethan says. “Here’s what I’m thinking.…”

  I walk next to Elle along the sidewalk. The plan sucks. I hate the plan. Ethan thinks it’s great in its simplicity, but I think he’s completely lost his mind at this point. Who volunteers to get in the middle of something as crazy as this? I look at Elle and think of Laura and Ethan in the car around the corner. Make that three insane people.

  Elle and I walk up to the Price house. Yes. Walk up to the front door. In broad daylight. And ring the doorbell.

  I said the plan sucks.

  A few minutes later a woman answers the door. It’s Carla, the housekeeper the Prices have had forever. It will be a miracle if she doesn’t recognize me.

  “Good morning, Carla. Sophie, my little toy poodle, ran away, and I thought I saw her take off into your backyard. Would you mind if we went back there and looked for her?”

  Yes. This is also in our plan. We’re looking for Elle’s little dog. Carla looks in my direction, and I hold my breath. She doesn’t spare me a second glance.

  “That’s fine, come on in.” She holds the front door open and we step inside. The second I pass through the door, I’m nauseous. The sights and sounds from that night come flooding back. I’m afraid I’m gonna be sick. We follow Carla through the house, and I can see the office up ahead. It’s completely bare. I concentrate on taking deep breaths in and out until we get close to the doorway.

  “Sorry, this is kind of weird, but we’ve been walking around looking for Sophie forever and I really have to pee. Do you mind if I use yours?” I cross my legs together and hop from foot to foot. I’m probably overdoing it, but I’m so nervous. I really do need to go to the bathroom now.

  Carla pauses a second and then points down the hall. “Second door on your left.”

  Oh my God, it worked.

  Elle starts moving forward again, leading Carla to the backyard. I walk right past the bathroom and enter the office, then stop and stare at the spot where Brandon hit the floor, dead. There’s no sign that anything horrible happened in this room, but I’m finding it hard to breathe. I catch sight of Ethan in my peripheral vision and run to pop open one of the windows. He’s waiting on the other side and climbs in.

  “Let’s make it quick.”

  I stare at the back wall. It’s huge and made of different-sized stones. I feel around, trying to bring back that exact memory. It was right behind the desk, but the desk is gone now.

  “Tell me what we’re looking for,” Ethan whispers.

  “I don’t know. I saw him put something in a hole in the wall and then lift a stone and shove it back into place.” I’m getting hysterical. I’m terrified Carla will come looking for me any minute.

  I run my fingers along the mortar of several stones. Nothing. I go over the area again, and this time my nail gets caught on a small jagged piece.

  “Ethan, look at this.”

  There is a tiny crack in the mortar that runs around an entire stone. Ethan pulls a small pocketknife and flips out a blade.

  “You had to be a Boy Scout when you were little.”

  He smiles as he digs the blade between the stone and mortar. “How’d you guess?”

  He works the blade, and slowly the stone starts to move. It’s loud and slow going. The grating sound echoes through the empty room. We both start pulling, and inch by inch, it’s out. Ethan puts the stone on the floor, and I look at it closely. The stone has a mortared edge around it. Without knowing what to lo
ok for, you’d have never noticed it could come out of the wall.

  “Anna, I think this is what you came for.” Ethan pulls out several slim ledgers. Neatly written on the front of each one are sets of dates. “Looks like Mr. Price was keeping these books for a while.”

  I grab one of the volumes and flip it open. I don’t really understand what I’m looking at, but I’m bursting inside. This has to be it!

  And then another thought—this is too easy.

  I hear footsteps coming down the hallway, and chills race down my spine. Ethan hands me the books and then gets the stone back into place. It grinds the entire way in. It doesn’t look perfect, but it’ll do. I hand the books back to him, and he stuffs them into a bag just as Agent Thomas walks in the room.

  My heart sinks.

  Ethan and I exchange worried looks, and I glance at the window. Maybe Ethan can get away, make a run for it. I don’t know how we got busted, but there’s no way to keep the ledgers from the suits now. We’re totally screwed.

  Agent Thomas makes his way toward Ethan with his hand extended.

  “No.”

  Agent Thomas turns to me, his eyebrows arched. “What do you mean, no?”

  “I mean no. They weren’t there. I thought they were but they’re not.”

  Ethan looks nervous and asks, “Anna, who is this?”

  “One of the suits,” I answer.

  “I see we’re back to your real name. Seems like you two have gotten pretty well acquainted on your way out here.” He takes a step closer to me. “It’s over. The man who killed Mr. Price and his son is dead.”

  “Mr. Sanchez?”

  Agent Thomas looks surprised. “You must have spoken to your father, too. Yes, another unit raided his house this morning. We were closing in on him with other evidence that we uncovered, and he put up a fight.”

  My stomach roils when I hear this. If we could have lasted another few days, this trip wouldn’t have been necessary at all.

  “The good news is you’re out—your testimony is no longer needed,” Agent Thomas says. He holds his hand out to Ethan again. “The books, please.”

  “We didn’t find anything, really. And even if Sanchez is dead—what about the other people looking for us? You know, like the hit man or whoever is chasing after us,” I ask.