The Rules for Disappearing (34 page)

“Anna could get hurt if you don’t do things the way she wants.”

We all look at Ethan. “She’ll get there whether you help or not.

Trust me. If you do what she’s asking, we’ve got the best chance of making all this work.”

Silence around the table. No one speaks for a few minutes.

Finally Elle grabs her purse.

“Okay, Anna. But promise me you’ll tell me what this is all

about soon.”

“Of course.”

We all head outside. Elle and Laura walk on each side of me and Ethan trails behind. I look so out of place with them now. My poor body has gotten pale living in areas that are too cold to sunbathe in during winter months.

They’re both talking fast, catching me up on everything I’ve

—S

missed since I’ve been gone. I glance back at Ethan and give him a

—N

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wink. He makes the “talking too much” gesture with his hand and smiles.

I listen with half an ear, not really interested in what they’re saying but extremely happy to be moving in the right direction.

But there is one part of this that hurts. The carefree, normal part. The part of me that was lost when we first moved and that I’ll never get back.

We get to Elle’s car and Ethan catches up. “Anna, ride with

them and I’ll follow behind y’all,” Ethan says and then jogs to the Mustang. We already decided to get our car closer to The Canyons for our getaway and I don’t trust them to ride without me. No telling who they’ll call.

I jump in Elle’s backseat and the memories overtake me. This

could have been any Friday morning from my life here in Scottsdale.

Once we’re alone in Elle’s car, she says, “Anna, you may already know this, but Brandon died.” Laura turns her head to the side, brushing her hand across her cheek. Is she crying? I might not be able to handle that.

“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 showed up at some sophomore’s lame party after we saw a picture on Instagram of you making out with some S—

guy. Does your disappearing have anything to do with what hap-

N—

pened to Brandon?”

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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 rea-

son even if we don’t get it.” She peeks in at me again in the mirror.

“We’re just glad you’re okay.”

From the looks between them, I was right. Searching for me

was probably the only thing that saved Laura from being with

Brandon. But then again, if she had hooked up with him—maybe

neither one of them would have walked in the 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.”

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

Elle 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.”

—S

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

—N

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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 corner 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’s back there. We get close to The Canyons and Elle pulls over in 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 the best way to go about this.

S—

Ethan runs his hands through his hair and talks about our

N—

options out loud. “We don’t know if they’re looking for us. If they are, 288

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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 and 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 bad?”

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.

—S

We drive a mile or so before Elle says. “We’re coming close to the

—N

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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 pulls away from the guards.

“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. Elle says quietly, S—

“Two more here. Regular guard and another police officer.”

N—

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

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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.”

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 face.

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 at the overgrown section. The police officer stepped out in the street and is watching the car. I’m going to my house and pulling in the garage.”

Ethan makes a foul expression and I hear him curse under his

breath. This plan is tanking fast.

—S

—N

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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 come up with 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 back to the car. We’ll head back to Louisiana.”

Ethan pulls me in close. “We didn’t come all this way to bail

S—

now. Plus, if I take you home, you’re gone. I have to save you from N—

being Penny Sue Wannamaker from Pittsburgh.”

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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 pulls 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 a seat 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. 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 in that house?” I ask.

It takes a few more seconds then they’re both talking at once. I

—S

hold up a hand and they both get quiet.

—N

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“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.”