The Devil Wore Sneakers by Nora Leduc

Author:Nora Leduc [Leduc, Nora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 27043995
Publisher: Nora LeDuc
Published: 2015-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

March 25

“Ali disappeared?” Liam asked Lucy.

“Ali told a friend she left her change of clothes in her car and would be back in a few minutes. She set off to the parking lot and never returned. The police are trying to determine if she met a classmate, or she was abducted. I guess she’s not answering her phone either.” Lucy heard her voice sounding tense and unnatural.

“Have officers checked the school cameras?” Liam’s brows creased with worry.

“She parked in the overflow across the street, no cameras. Ali’s parents are frantic.” Lucy’s fingers cramped from clutching her own cell. Stuffing it in her jacket pocket, her mind whirled with explanations for the cheerleader’s absence. She ran away with a boy. She decided to go shopping. She was mad at the cheering squad and blew them off. None of them seemed logical. A disturbing answer hit her. Matt had taken her. Lucy’s stomach clenched.

Liam touched her hand, drawing her attention to him. “How did her parents find out she was missing?”

“The cheerleaders’ advisor contacted them when she didn’t show for practice. The principal and teachers searched the building. Her mother called Ali’s friends to ask if they’d seen her. No sighting since school ended. The police are releasing information to the media at any moment. Liam, what if Matt took her, and it’s because of me? He followed me to Barley.”

“Hold on. You’re not her kidnaper. A guilt trip won’t help Ali. Now, why did the chief call you?”

“Ali kept talking about how badly she felt about taking the picture at the funeral. She mentioned several times to friends that she wanted to apologize again. Sullivan called on the slight chance we met after school. To be honest, I could tell he was shaken and was grasping at any possibility.”

“Maybe the school video will show someone lurking around her.”

“Let’s hope. Liam, Ali could be dead.” Lucy’s hands shook as terrible images flashed in her head. The image of an uneasy Ali by the police station offering a heartfelt apology popped up in her mind. The girl was young and inexperienced in life. Like most teens, she trusted too easily or took chances that made her easy prey. Was she now in a place similar to Matt and Seth’s secret chamber of torture where girls were electrocuted, suffocated, and died a slow, painful death?

Lucy closed her eyes. Oh, my God, I’m so sorry, Ali.

Liam took her hands and forced her to meet his gaze. “We’ll find her.”

“Boss?”

Sadie’s sister Sammie was standing in the open doorway. Concern pulled her brows together. “Excuse me, I was talking to the customers when I saw you out the window. Are you guys okay?”

Liam released Lucy and turned to the server. “Ali Smith’s parents reported her missing. She disappeared after school today. The media will release the details on the afternoon news.”

“She might still show up, right?” Sammie glanced from Lucy to Liam.

“We’ll be praying she does,” he said. “Have Hank turn to the local channel.”

“People will want to help,” Sammie said and shook her head.

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