Born To Be Wild by Patricia Rosemoor Read Free Book Online Page B

track them down now.”
    Micah hoped it was just a misunderstanding. But what if it wasn’t? He asked, “Have you called the police?”
    The principal nodded. “I spoke directly to Detective Ochoa myself. He’s looking into it.”
    “Thank you for telling us.” He didn’t want to think about another set of parents torn by the grief of not knowing where their child was. Another poor kid missing and probably terrified like his Lucy. “If you could give us the phone number, we’ll call ourselves.”
    “I’m afraid I can’t do that. Confidentiality issues. You need to talk to Detective Ochoa. Or perhaps…if you found Roy Donovan’s number yourself…”
    Micah nodded. “I understand.” But he didn’t really. This was a possible missing kid, a possible link to his daughter.
    Once out of the building, Isabel asked, “What do you think?
    “I don’t know. Could the two incidents be connected?”
    Micah tried putting aside the sick feeling in his gut. Two missing kids. The other was a boy, and a year older than their daughter. He finally put to words what he hadn’t wanted to ask.
    “Lucy didn’t have any reason to want to run away, right?”
    “No, of course not. I mean we’ve been fighting more, but nothing that serious.”
    Micah knew she wouldn’t like the next part, but he had to know. “This kid Sam—has Lucy ever mentioned him?”
    “Do you think I wouldn’t tell you right away if she had?” Isabel’s voice caught.
    “Hey, you’re the one who asked if there’s a connection. And even if there is, maybe it’s not as bad as we’ve been imagining.” He could only hope that both kids were okay. That he was just being paranoid.
    Her voice steadied. “Lucy never mentioned him.”
    Micah was just about to get in the truck when an SUV pulled into the lot.
    “Aren’t you going to unlock the doors?” She sounded like she was holding back tears.
    He beeped the locks open, but didn’t make a move. As if realizing he was distracted, Isabel turned to see by what. The SUV stopped in front of the school, and a scrawny boy with wheat-colored hair who looked a bit taller than Lucy tumbled out. No sooner was the passenger door shut when the SUV took off.
    And Micah shouted, “Hey, Sam!”
    The kid immediately turned toward him.
    “Are you Sam Donovan?” Isabel asked.
    “No. He’s in my class, though.”
    Micah took a ragged breath.
    “What about Lucy Falcon?” Isabel drew closer. “Do you know her?”
    Following, Micah said, “We’re her parents.”
    The kid frowned at them and backed up. “Hey, I didn’t do anything to Lucy. I barely know her!”
    Isabel looked like she was ready to burst into tears when she said, “Lucy never got on the school bus yesterday. She didn’t come home. We’re trying to find out what happened to her.”
    The kid shrugged. “I wasn’t even here yesterday ’cause there was a ‘bring your kid to work day’ at my dad’s business. And I forgot to set my alarm, so now I’m late. I gotta get to class.”
    He stalked off, and Micah put an arm across Isabel’s shoulders. “C’mon.”
    She nodded and let him lead her back to the truck without protest. He could see she was fighting hard to hold it together.
    Micah had to stop himself from taking her in his arms and holding her, as was his instinct. She’d made it clear she didn’t want his comfort. He wasn’t about to force the issue. He’d once thought he would be able to hold her whenever he wanted, that they’d be together forever.
    He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
    …
    Isabel was relieved to be in the truck, free of Micah’s touch. She didn’t trust herself around him after what had almost happened the night before. Even so, part of her longed for a closer connection, but she was too smart to let her heart lead her head again.
    They simultaneously pulled out their cell phones.
    She said, “I’m calling Detective Ochoa.”
    And Micah said, “I’ll do a search for a Roy Donovan in this