What Lies in the Darkness (Shadow Cove Book 1) by Jessica Sorensen Page A

leans against the wall beside the main office door, eyeing the few people lingering around. “I’ll be stuck here until college. But, as soon as I graduate, I’m saying, ‘Peace out , bitches,’ getting in my car, and never looking back.”
    “Can you put me in a suitcase and take me with you?” I joke. “It’s probably the only way I’ll ever be able to afford to go anywhere.”
    “Mak, I’d never let you ride in my suitcase.” Kennedy’s eyes glitter mischievously. “That’s where all my clothes and shoes go. But I will cram you in the trunk of my car.”
    “Aw, gee, how very generous of you. And, as a thank you, I’ll return the favor. From now on, you can ride in the trunk of my car everywhere.”
    “Awesome. I love dark, compact places,” Kennedy says. “They’re, like, my favorite places ever.”
    “Says the girl whose bedroom is bigger than my house.” Embry peers around the hallway, checks the time on her phone, and then looks at me. “We’ve only got about twenty more minutes before the bell rings. If you’re going to do this, Mak, you better do it now.”
    “On it. Just remember to listen for the sneeze and then pull the alarm.” I test my earpiece one last time to make sure everyone can hear me. Then I breathe out and push open the door to the main office, ready to put step two into motion.
     

LOCATION: THE MAIN OFFICE
    TIME: 12:11 PM
    DATE: MONDAY, MARCH 22 ND
     
    Like we predicted, Ms. Finkleson is sitting at the front desk with her lunch spread out in front of her. Classic rock floats from the computer speakers as she sings along with the lyrics, tapping a spoon against the desk to the beat.
    I shut the door loudly to get her attention, and she startles and nearly drops the spoon she’s holding.
    “Oh, hey, Makayla.” She sets her yogurt down then smooths down her navy blue button-down shirt. “What can I help you with?”
    I let my bag fall to the ground and have a seat in the chair across from her. “I’m pretty sure my phone was stolen from my locker on Friday.”
    She doesn’t seem that surprised. “And why do you think it was stolen? I mean, I know a lot of that’s been going on, but sometimes, people think stuff has been stolen when they’ve really just misplaced the item.”
    “I know I didn’t misplace it. My locker was open when I came out of seventh period on Friday, and my phone wasn’t in there anymore,” I lie breezily. “I know for sure that I closed my locker before I went to class, and I know my phone was definitely in there because Mr. Brinkling has a shit fit when we bring our phones to class.”
    “Please watch your language, Makayla,” she says, dabbing her lips with a napkin.
    “Sorry.” I cross my legs and pick at a hole in my jeans. “I’m just so stressed out, you know. I haven’t told my mom about my phone yet because I know she’ll freak out. But if I don’t find it fast, I’m going to have to tell her, and then she’s going to stress out about paying for a new one.” I glance up at her with a weighted sigh. “Ever since my dad took off, we’ve been pretty broke, and she’s constantly stressing about money.” I look down again, letting my hair curtain my face. “So, if there’s anything you can do to help me find out who took my phone, I’d really appreciate it.”
    “Wow, Mak, way to work the sob story,” Ev whispers through the earpiece. “That was so good even I believed it.”
    I want to laugh, but the truth is that my mom would lose it if I lost my phone. That is, unless she has leftover cash from what Don Jennings gave her. But no, the financial records show the money is gone.
    I crinkle my nose at the thought then quickly shove the look away. Now’s not the time to be thinking about this.
    “I’m so sorry to hear that, Mak,” Ms. Finkleson says. “Your mom is such a sweet person. When my father was hospitalized, it made his day when she was his nurse. She was always so caring and good with him.”
    “She