Gone (Gone #1) by Stacy Claflin Read Free Book Online Page B

ceiling. When would Zoey call? It felt like forever since he saw her at the station. He hoped she was okay. She seemed about as well as could be expected, but that was before talking with the cops.
    Alex's parents had been in the room when he was questioned, since he was a minor. The same should hold true for Zoey. He would feel a lot better being able to talk with her.
    If they could talk, maybe they could figure out what really happened. What two people were closer to Macy, really? Sure, Macy and Alex didn't spill their secrets to each other, but they were pretty close. That was why she put up with his teasing. It was their thing. Always had been.
    The doorbell rang, and Alex groaned. Let it be Zoey, and not the cops. He could tell by the way they looked at him that they didn't like him. His hair was past his ears, and he liked it scraggly. The older cop seemed to have him pegged as a thug. Did he seriously suspect that Alex had anything to do with it? That was ridiculous.
    Opening his door, Alex could hear muffled conversation downstairs. At least it was a break from his parents arguing. They didn't get along anymore since Dad had started that blog. People online started thinking his dad was all that, so his head got big and he walked around upset that he didn't get the same respect at home.
    Alex thought about closing his door to continue hiding, but he wanted to find out what was going on. Maybe the police had found something. Macy's picture was all over the TV. Every discussion on social media was about her, too. That's why Alex had been playing games—he didn't want to read any more crazy theories. His friends had come up with everything from alien abduction to witness protection.
    If Alex didn't stay away, he would end up beating the crap out of half the student body on Monday. Let them talk, but he wasn't going to have anything to do with it. He made his way downstairs and saw his parents talking with three cops. One officer he hadn't seen at the station tipped his hat. Alex nodded back and stood a distance away, not wanting to be dragged into the conversation.
    It didn't sound as though they had anything new to share.
    "We need to search the house and we need you to step outside while we do," said the one who had given Alex the evil eye back at the station.
    "What?" Alex exclaimed. He looked at his parents, begging them to say no. "Why do we have to leave? We didn't do anything wrong."
    Hat-tipper looked at him. "Then you have nothing to worry about, son. We should be in and out of here in no time. If there are any clues to your sister's disappearance, then we need to find them sooner rather than later. The first twenty-four hours are critical."
    Alex frowned. "Can I go back and get my cell phone?"
    Jerkwad shook his head. "No can do. You can have it back when we're done. Now, please step out of the house."
    "Fine." Alex walked past his parents and the cops, out the door.
    Alyssa looked at him. "You can put your shoes on."
    He glared at the jerk cop. "Wouldn't want to interfere with the investigation."
    Chad narrowed his eyes. "Alex, it's the middle of November. Put some shoes on. Why are you being like this?"
    "Why? Because my sister is missing and we're being treated like criminals."
    "That's how he expresses sorrow." Chad picked up a pair of flip-flops and flung them at Alex.
    He caught them. "Awesome." After putting them on, Alex walked down their walkway. "Am I allowed to walk down the street?" He didn't wait for a response before making his way to the sidewalk. He looked down the street and saw Zoey's mom's car parked in front of their house, two doors down.
    Before he even made it to their driveway, Zoey ran outside. "Sorry I didn't call you. My mom wouldn't stop talking to me. I swear, she needs to get married and leave me alone."
    "That won't solve anything. Trust me."
    "True. Your parents haven't been getting along lately."
    "Want to go to the park? The cops are going through my house."
    "That bites. We're