The Killing Moon by Dan Padavona (books to read for 13 year olds .TXT) 📕

is beside herself. When our uncle gets confused, he thinks he lives in San Antonio. That’s where he grew up. Last year, when Uncle Mark experienced an episode, he bought a bus ticket to Texas and left town. The medicine wore off before he reached Detroit, and he had a panic attack on the bus. It was such a mess. The driver pulled off the interstate, the ambulance and police responded, and every passenger on that trip missed their connections by the time the police sorted things out. Even then, the police didn’t know who to call, because Uncle Mark used a fake ID.”

“Wow. How did your uncle get hold of a fake ID?”

Raven pressed her lips together and shook her head.

“Uncle Mark worked with some unsavory people twenty years ago, including a man with mob affiliations.”

“That’s so scary.”

Raven leaned forward and lowered her voice. “I’d be helping you almost as much as you’re helping us. I don’t want anyone to miss their connection because of our uncle.”

The clerk’s face was a mask of uncertainty. Below the glass, his hands wrung together. The fish was ready to take the bait.

“Look, we checked with my uncle’s mother. She’s ninety-one and isn’t equipped to care for Uncle Mark when he arrives. She claims Uncle Mark phoned her this morning, confused, and said he was lost and couldn’t find his way home. Can you imagine how scared she is, hearing this from her only son?”

As Darren set a caring hand on Raven’s back and implored the clerk with pitiful eyes, the clerk wavered. He glanced from the waiting area to the security camera fixed to the ceiling. Raven moved in for the kill.

“Even if you just confirmed he bought a ticket. You don’t even have to tell us where he’s going or his scheduled departing time. We’ll stay in the waiting area until Uncle Mark arrives. It’s important we determine if he’s leaving from Kane Grove or some other terminal.” Raven raised her palms. “You understand the predicament we’re in, yes?”

The clerk moved closer to the glass and adjusted the microphone.

“Yes, your uncle was here. He left a couple hours ago.”

Raven and Darren exhaled in unison.

“Thank God. At least we’re sure he’ll return.”

“I’m risking a lot here, but I’ll tell you he purchased a ticket to San Antonio.” Brushing the hair off his brow, the clerk typed at his terminal and scanned the trip information. “He registered under Phil Damone. The first stop is Detroit, and your uncle’s bus leaves at five-fifty tomorrow morning. You’ll be here to help him, won’t you?”

“Of course. We don’t want any trouble for your company.”

“Thank you.”

Raven glanced at Darren, who drew her into a hug. She sobbed into his shoulder as he stroked her hair.

“We need to find him before he hurts himself,” Darren said.

Sniffling, Raven dried her eyes and turned back to the window.

“You said Uncle Mark left a couple hours ago.”

“Around four, yes.”

“Was he on foot? I’d hate to imagine him wandering the streets all night. Especially in this cold. My God, he might freeze to death.”

The clerk ensured no one eavesdropped on their conversation. He raised a comforting hand.

“Don’t worry. He left the parking lot in a vehicle.”

Raven clasped a hand over her mouth.

“Oh, no. Uncle Mark doesn’t own a car. He lost his license because of his condition.”

The clerk held up his forefinger. Moving at warp speed, the thin man turned the security monitor to face him and clicked on the archived footage. After scanning the recording, he stopped at eight minutes after four o’clock and pointed at the screen. Raven made a mental note of the time.

“That’s your uncle, right?”

“Oh, thank goodness. That’s him.”

As the clerk enlarged the frozen image, he tore a piece of paper from his notepad and jotted down the license plate.

“He’s driving a Subaru Forester,” the man said. “Sorry about the black-and-white footage. Can’t tell the color, but it appears gray or silver.

“How did Uncle Mark get his hands on a Subaru Forester?”

Darren slapped his forehead and said, “His neighbor, Robert Adamson, drives a Subaru Forester. Uncle Mark must have thought it was his.”

The clerk slid the license plate number beneath the window. Raven snatched it up and stuffed the note into her pocket.

“You’re a lifesaver, sir. Thank you so much for helping us find our uncle.”

The clerk’s eyes glistened.

“It was the least I could do.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

October 31st

6:15 p.m.

Across the street from the bus terminal, Chelsey phoned Thomas as Raven and Darren drove off. The sheriff sounded flustered when he answered.

“Tough day?”

“The worst,” Thomas said. “Detective Presley’s team arrested Troy Dean for attacking Derek Jordan’s friend. They’re trying to pin the murder on Dean, but his tires don’t match the treads found at the scene.”

Beside Chelsey, LeVar stared into the night as dead leaves scuttled across the road.

“Well, I have good news for you.”

“Tell me.”

“Mark Benson has a bus ticket out of Kane Grove, leaving for Detroit at five-fifty tomorrow morning. He ditched the Mitsubishi and is driving a gray Subaru Forester. Oh, and he’s using the name, Phil Damone.”

“How did you come by this information?”

“I have my sources.”

“Best if you don’t tell me. Give me the license plate.” Chelsey read Thomas the license plate number. Thomas lifted his radio and relayed the information to Kane Grove PD and the Nightshade County Sheriff’s Department. “We’re adding Phil Damone’s name to the BOLO, and the state police are searching for the Forester. Useful information, Chelsey.”

“All credit to Raven.”

“What’s next?”

“Now we wait for Benson to show his face. Darren and Raven are watching Benson’s Barbells, and we’re en route to the farmhouse in case he returns.”

“Don’t engage Benson. Leave that to my deputies.”

“Last I heard, Lambert and Aguilar were patrolling the village near Ellie Fisher’s apartment. Working together, we should be able to cover his hiding spots.” Thomas didn’t reply. “Everything okay, Thomas?”

He groaned.

“I’m lost on this murder case. Troy Dean is our number one suspect, but Presley is the only person who believes he did