Before He Vanished by Margie Benedict

Before He Vanished by Margie Benedict

Author:Margie Benedict
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781954584280
Publisher: Marjory Kaptanoglu


Chapter Twenty-Nine

2019 - MINDCAST

Rebecca’s next mindcast brings her back to Ethan’s school following his disappearance. Speaking to the principal first, she gives her story about being a journalist and asks who might know Ethan the best. Without hesitation, the principal refers her to Mr. Flannery, Ethan’s English teacher.

She finds him alone in his classroom working on a crossword puzzle. When she asks to speak with him, he looks disconcerted to have been caught doing something for his own amusement during school hours. “Need to keep the brain sharp,” he mumbles, sliding the paper to one side. “Remind me. Whose parent are you?”

At twenty-six, she doesn’t expect to be mistaken for a parent of a thirteen-year-old. She guesses she could be a stepparent, though. The sudden thought of being someone’s trophy wife amuses her. “No. I’m an investigative journalist.” As soon as the lie emerges, she wishes she had come up with a different story. Mr. Flannery, being an English teacher, might be curious to find out more about her supposed career as a writer.

Fortunately, he displays a complete lack of interest. “I don’t understand,” he says.

“I’d like to speak to you about Ethan Pitt. The boy who went missing last week.”

He straightens his black-rimmed glasses and scrutinizes her. “I’m sorry. Are you from the police?”

“No, I’m a journalist.”

“I see. From the Chronicle?”

“I’m freelance. I took an interest in Ethan’s story. I plan to write an article.”

He still looks baffled. “Ethan’s a gifted child. But an article? What would you put in it?”

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. I was wondering if you have any thoughts on where he might have gone, or what might have happened to him.”

“I have no idea. He’s an exceptional student. A fine writer. Smart. But there are negative influences in this community that sometimes affect our children.”

“Is there anything specific you know about?”

“Of course not. He’s not going to confide in his English teacher. But if I were to take a guess, I’d say, he may have gotten himself into trouble and doesn’t know how to deal with it.”

“So you think he ran away? Is that what you’re saying?”

“It’s certainly a possibility.”

“Is there something he said that would make you come to this conclusion?”

“No. I told you. I try my best to get the kids to open up with me, but you know… middle school. An age where every child begins to reject authority. A time when kids are only focused on what other kids think of them. It’s a tough time for them. Some can’t deal with it.”

“You don’t think he might have taken his own life, do you?”

He spreads his hands wide on the desk, looking down at them. “I sincerely hope not. There’s nothing more tragic than a child committing suicide. But I’m not a psychologist. Have you spoken to his family? Maybe he was seeing a therapist? I’m sure they would have much more insight on the issue than I would.”

“Let me ask you this,” Rebecca says. “Last week, when



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