Krissy’s eyes glistened, and for a second I thought she might cry. But instead, she straightened up and nodded with determination. “Then we have to find her.” She pointed at us, dead serious. “I’ll do anything you need.”
Beth patted her on the shoulder, which nearly sent Krissy into another round of happy clapping.
“Do you know where her grandmother lives?” I asked. “If that’s where she went, it’s our best shot.”
Krissy bit her lip. “I think I have the address somewhere in my phone under her grandmother’s contact details. Alice and I have spent the weekend up there once or twice, but it’s been a long time, and a few phones ago.” She started rifling through her phone again, tongue poking out in concentration. After a minute, she yelped, “Found it!” and held the phone up for me to see. I copied it into my notes.
“It’s a little outside of town,” Krissy said, “up on Spirit Mountain. Past the old ski lodge. There’s a gate, but you can just open it.”
Beth and I looked at each other. “That’s at least an hour away,” Beth said, even though it could be two or three, depending on how far up the mountain she was.
“Yeah. Maybe less if you drive like Alice.” Krissy smiled at her own joke, but it didn’t hold.
The Sailor Moon episode finished on the TV, and the next one started up, the opening theme muted but insistent.
“So she got a call from her grandma, and took off,” I summarized. “No one’s heard from her since.”
Krissy nodded, then wilted a little. “I’m sorry. I really should have checked. I just thought she was, I don’t know. Busy, I guess.”
I stood. “You did nothing wrong, Krissy. If anything, you might’ve given us the clue we needed.”
She brightened. “Really?”
“Really,” I said. “Thanks for the muffins.”
“Anytime!” she called as we made our way to the door.
Beth paused in the foyer, studying the rainbow wall of collectible swords. “You have any training?”
Krissy waggled her eyebrows. “I went to fencing camp for three years.”
I believed it. I also believed that, if pressed, Krissy could take down an intruder with a replica katana without breaking a nail.
I opened the door. The sky had deepened to full dusk, and the porch light came on automatically, casting everything in a warm, fake glow. It was hard not to like Krissy. Even harder to dismiss her. She was too earnest, too much, but it was all so honest.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Krissy asked, suddenly serious.
Beth shook her head. “You stay here, in case Alice calls or comes by.”
Krissy saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
I waved, and she closed the door behind us.
We got back into Beth’s car. She sat for a second, turning the key but not starting the engine.
“So. Spirit Mountain?” I said.
“Yeah,” Beth replied. “But first, food. If I don’t eat, I’ll crash this car into the next restaurant I see.”
I grinned. “Krissy’s muffins not enough for you?”
“They were fine,” Beth said, pulling away from the house. “But I like my sugar with a side of bacon.”
“We need to catch up with everyone anyway.” I sighed and sat back. “I feel like we’re on the verge of something. Finally.”
May my words be correct.
SIXTEEN
