Lost in the Wild by Leigh Mayberry (i am malala young readers edition txt) 📕

mother lost her job, wasn’t something Meghan wanted to talk about. It wasn’t right for the appetite, either.

“I’m thinking of taking a sabbatical from work.”

“You mean you’re quitting?”

“Not exactly,” Meghan said. “I’m considering my options.”

“Does that mean you’re moving out of Kinguyakkii too?”

“That’s a possibility.”

“That’s too bad. I kind of like that place.”

“You didn’t spend enough time here.”

“I’m coming back to visit. Maybe I’ll stay a year before I start college.”

“You are going to college as soon as high school ends. It’s easier for you, and you don’t have to deal with real-life drama until you’re a little older.”

“I don’t know if I want to deal with real-life drama at all. You’re a little older, and I think there’s a lot more going on with you than you’re telling me.”

“You know, I’d let you know if something happens.”

“You mean like the time some guy tried to strangle you, and you poisoned him with peanut butter?” Brittany said.

“That was not something I wanted you to worry about?”

“What about the time you fell in the ocean and almost drowned?”

“That happened because I was stupid and took a huge risk. That won’t happen again.”

“What happened this time?”

“I probably permanently injured an FBI cadet.”

“Oh, wow. What happened? What did he do?”

Brittany understood that it was likely the other party who started the situation. Meghan ended it. She hoped, leading by example, Brittany kept her temper in check when her mother acted out. She decided to keep the details of the incident quiet until she got arrested for assault, or eventually got out of the state.

“We’ll save it for another time.”

“It sounds like you’re all done with doing your job up there.”

“I think so,” she said.

“That’s too bad. I’ll bet a lot of people like you keeping them safe. I’ll bet they’ll be sorry when you leave.”

“I don’t know.”

It felt like no one cared about her and what happened to her. Meghan didn’t want to get too far down a depression rabbit hole because she ran out of pretzels and ice cream a few hours after she lost her job. She didn’t want to replenish her supplies because Meghan wasn’t interested in seeing anyone else. She suspected the whole town knew she’d failed.

Chapter Seventeen

It was daybreak on Thursday morning when someone pounded on the front door startling Meghan out of a blissful dream, sleeping on the couch. She managed to check the time on her smartphone before sitting up, debating on answering the door. She wore black yoga pants and a heavy sweatshirt and thermal socks. Meghan hoped her hair wasn’t too ratty. She knew showering and brushing her teeth weren’t at the front of her self-quarantined house-arrest. Meghan didn’t intend hugging or kissing anyone, so as long as she didn’t get too close, what did it matter?

“Why don’t you get dressed,” Lester said. He walked inside immediately. Meghan stepped back as he stood on the floor mat in front of the door.

“Why do I have to get dressed? Are you here to arrest me?”

“What are you talking about?” Lester had a sense of humor. It sometimes happened when Meghan saw him smile or laugh. Give the recent turn of events; she gave him some license for the stony attitude. “I want you to come with me when I talk to Gene. He’s back in town.”

“I’m not police chief anymore, Lester. You don’t have to pander to me.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. Reeve told me I was in charge for now. I’m not interested, but whatever is going on between you and him is your business. Right now, I want to talk to Gene about his niece and find out what happened to him.”

“Does it look like something happened to him?”

“Well, I wouldn’t know, would I? I haven’t talked to him.”

Meghan wandered back to the warm spot on the sofa. She pulled the comforter around her shoulders.

“You know he terminated me, right?”

“I know he submitted a review of your behavior with that idiot from Anchorage.”

“How much do you know about it?”

“Vincent told me all about it.”

“Did they arrest him?”

“No, but the FBI executed a warrant on his apartment. They collected his personal items. I think they want to test items found in his apartment against Chrissy’s DNA. Given that me and Oliver both vouched for Vincent, seeing him at the dance, I don’t think they plan to arrest him for anything.”

“I don’t know. I saw the underwear he had. I’m worried that his obsession got the better of him. He should know better. He’s not a pedophile, but if one person comes forward and identifies any of those items, Vincent will get a suspended sentence and have to register as a sex offender. He’ll lose his job and his apartment all for the sake of gratification.”

“I’m not judging him,” Lester said. “I am curious about what happened to Gene. I want to know why he’s been MIA for a while. He waits until after we hold a vigil for Chrissy.”

“I’m sorry I missed it,” Meghan said guiltily.

“I understand, but you owe an apology to the Tuktus.”

“I know. I’m planning on going to their apartment soon.”

“You know, I called the title company on that property,” Lester said.

“Thanks, but that’s not my business anymore.”

“The house is in Clifford’s name. It’s like you said. It belonged to him. Gene pays the mortgage, and that’s all the bank cares about.”

Meghan nodded. “You can talk to him about it. But I don’t know what good it will do. You can ask him to vacate the property, but he doesn’t have to leave unless the bank issues a foreclosure notice. They’ll take their time if he continues to pay the mortgage. Even if he stops paying, it could take