The doorbell rang, a scream that split the house in two, riding along the fault lines, daring them to fail.
โIโll get it!โย Bel thundered down the stairs, claiming that side as hers.
Rachel might move quieter, but she could move faster.
She pulled open the front door, Dave Winter on the threshold, in his dark uniform.
โAnnabel!โย A reporter screamed from the street.ย โWhy do you think your dad has gone missing?โ
The same one Bel told to fuck o๏ฌย earlier, directly into his outheld microphone.
The white vans came back yesterday, when news broke about Charlie Price disappearing just one week after his wife came back from the dead. One parent in, one parent out, a revolving-door family. Quite the story, seeing as there were now seven vans on the curb, the BBC too. Aย source close to the familyย was the one who told the press. It was probably Grandma Susan; she had previously, and she was a fucking horsefucker.
โO๏ฌย the property, sir. Donโt make me come down there!โย Dave shouted, handsย ๏ฌailing as he conducted the horde of yapping journalists.
โHi,โย Bel said to the back of his twisted neck,ย ๏ฌushed red.
He untwisted it, mouth in a grim line.ย โAnnabel. Good, youโre here. Is your mom home? I have an update.โ
Her heart jumped, bracing against the base of her throat. Was an update a good thing? Or the worst thing imaginable?
โCome in.โย She beckoned him through, wishing he would move faster, the knot spiraling in her gut, chewing o๏ฌย a piece of her each time.
โHello, Rachel,โย Dave said, mouth turning up at the corners in an almost smile. Would he smile if he was here to tell them theyโd found Dad dead? You wouldnโt smile if he was dead, right? Fuck.
Bel searched his face for other signs, searched Rachelโs too. Did she already know what Dave was here to tell them? If Rachel had killed him, Bel would kill her; that was another promise.
โDo you want a co๏ฌee orโฆ?โย Rachel o๏ฌered.
โWhat is it?โย Bel couldnโt wait any longer. Dad had been missing almost four days now, straight to voicemail every time:ย โYouโve reachedย Charlie Price,โย even though he was unreachable.
โCouple things.โย Dave slid his hands into his pockets.ย โWe put in a subpoena for your dadโs cell phone records. Still waiting on those, these things donโt happen overnight.โย Dave removed one hand, dropped it by his side.ย โBut we have managed to access Charlieโs bank account.โ
โAnd?โย Bel said, blocking him in, making him tell her, not Rachel.ย โThereโs been activity over the last four days. Heโs withdrawn money and
made some purchasesโฆin Vermont.โ
โVermont?โย Rachel said, voice climbing at the end.
Dave turned to her.ย โWeโre working with the State Police now, using the hits to try track him down. But this is good news.โย He looked at Bel for that last part, the grim line of his mouth less grim now.ย โThis means your dad is OK, that heโs in Vermont to blow o๏ฌย steam, get some space. Like we thought. Heโll probably come home when heโs ready.โ
Bel stalled, mind whirring over what he just said. Dad was in Vermont? That was good news, wasnโt it, like Dave said? Much better than the worst news possible. So why was there a sinking feeling in her gut, feeding on thatย ๏ฌash of hope? Because Bel knew him best. Dad wouldnโt leave her, wouldnโt
go to Vermont without telling her, wouldnโt have his phone o๏ฌย and let her worry this much, he just wouldnโt do that. And maybe none of this was as simple asย blowing o๏ฌย steamย orย getting space.ย Disappeared without a trace, except now there was a traceโฆin Vermont.
โThat is good news,โย Rachel said, quietly.
โBut youโll keep looking for him?โย Bel said, not quietly.
โLike I said, weโre working with the Vermont State Police to track him down when he next uses his card. And weโre waiting on those phone records. A personโs phone can tell you a lot about them.โ
Belโs eyes followed her mind, alighting on the black rectangle on the co๏ฌee table.
Not Dadโs phone, but Rachelโs.
Dave was still talking to her.ย โIโll keep looking for your dad, but you donโt need to worry, can stop putting missing posters up all over town. Though I appreciate the help. You should probably go back to school, get back to normal.โ
โI went today,โย Bel replied. For one reason only: not to be normal, but to corner Mr. Tripp, force answers out of him. He wasnโt there. O๏ฌย sick, apparently, had been all week. How long could he keep that going, to avoid her?
โIโll be in touch, when we know anything more.โย Dave dipped his head like he was bowing to Rachel.ย โYou let me know if those reporters outside are giving you any trouble.โ
โThank you, Dave,โย Rachel said with an empty smile.ย โIโll walk you to the door.โ
The quiet murmur of their voices, moving away into the hall. Bel didnโt follow, listening to her gut and listening to her head, because sometimes they werenโt on the same side.ย Ifย it was a possibility that Dad had chosen to leave, that heโd gone to Vermont, then heโd done it because of Rachel, to get away from her. And maybe he wouldnโt come back until Rachel was exposed as a liar and removed from the house. Maybe he was afraid of what happened last time, all thoseย ๏ฌngers pointing at him, and heโd rather run than face that again. So either way you looked at itโhead or gutโthe way
forward was the same: prove Rachel was lying,ย ๏ฌnd out how and why she really disappeared and reappeared sixteen years later. Rachel was the way back to Dad.
And if Bel couldnโt get the answers from Mr. Tripp, then sheโd have to get them from Rachel herself.
Maybe avoiding her had been the wrong thing to do, keeping out of the house, barricading herself in her bedroom. Maybe it was time to shift focus. Study Rachel. Show interest, spend time with her. Wait for her to show her hand and slip up. You know what it is they say, about enemies and friends.
The noise of the reporters swelled as the front door opened, Dave calling back his goodbyes. Bel looked at Rachelโs phone again, unguarded.ย A personโs phone can tell you a lot about them.
Herย ๏ฌngers itched at her side, splaying and stretching, testing the air. Rachel had Mr. Trippโs number, they must have talked. So maybe the answers were right there, behind that glass screen.
She took one step toward the phone, reached for it, then stopped, sensing a change. Rachel had appeared in the room, soundless and watching.
โThatโs good news, isnโt it?โย Rachel said.ย โAbout the bank account. I know youโve been worried. Been a bit quiet, distant.โ
Bel nodded. She was about to be the opposite of distant. Closing in instead of running away. She needed to get Rachel away from her phone long enough to go through it. And she had to unlock it to do that. Lucky for her, both problems led to the same person.
โHey, Rachel,โย she said brightly, switching on a smile.ย โI was thinking Iโd ask Carter to come around tonight. Distract us,โย she said, when she meant justย distract you.ย โWe could bake cookies or something. Spend some time together, the three of us.โ
Rachelโs eyes glittered, chin pulling her mouth down into a grin.ย โThatโs a great idea, AโฆB-Bel. Iโd love to.โ
โ
โWhat?โย Carter hissed as Bel dragged her inside.
โI told you to comeย now,ย not in ten minutes.โย Bel let her cousin go, turning the corner into the living room. Heart kicking against the cage of her ribs, echoing in her ears. Could Carter hear it too?
โI was in the shower.โย Carter gazed at her, reading her nerves as something else.ย โYou didnโt say it was an emergency. Is there news about U- Uncle Charlie?โ
โNo. Well, y-yes, Iโll explain later.โย They didnโt have to be quiet, but they had to be quick.ย โRachelโs at the store, she could be back any second.โ
Bel had insisted they make peanut butter cookies, because she knew they were out of peanut butter, and she knew Rachel would o๏ฌer to go get some, for the olive branch Bel was dangling in front of her.
โYou helped Rachel set up her new phone, right?โ
โYeah,โย Carter answered, narrowing her eyes.ย โBecause you were avoiding her.โ
โDo you know what her passcode is?โ
Carter narrowed her eyes farther, two suspicious slivers of whipped-up blue.ย โWhy?โ
But judging by the tight set of her mouth, she already knew why.ย โI need you to tell me the passcode.โ
Carter sighed, stretching her neck, eyes up to the ceiling.ย โBel, why?โ โI need to look through her phone.โ
โWhy do youย needย to look through her phone?โย Hovering somewhere close to annoyed.
โBecause,โย Bel lowered her voice, even though Rachel wasnโt in the house. It didnโt feel like something that could be said loud, it belonged to whispers.ย โI still think Rachel is lying about her disappearance, and Iโm pretty sure sheโs the reason my dad is now missing.โ
โBel, thatโsโโ
โSometimes you have to trust your gut, Carter. I know thatโs what happened, I just need to prove it, and the answers might be on her phone. I need your help, for my dad.โ
Carter hesitated, eyes circling Belโs.
โYouโve known him a lot longer than youโve known Rachel,โย Bel continued, trying to be gentle, trying to push but not push her away.ย โPlease. For me?โ
โBel, I should tell yโโ
Bel shushed her, ears pricking to a new sound. The rasp of wheels against the gravel in the driveway, the reporters stirring, reanimating. Her alarm, her warning siren.
โRachelโs home,โย Bel hissed.ย โQuick, Carter.โย She grabbed her arms.ย โTell me the passcode.โ
A car door slammed, voices shrieked like circling birds.
Carter broke with another sigh, a low warning in her voice.ย โItโsย ๏ฌve six seven eight.ย Like when you count in music.โ
โFive six seven eight,โย Bel muttered, committing it to memory.ย โThanks.
Love you.โ
Carter grumbled.
โOne more thing,โย Bel spoke quickly, racing the click of Rachelโs shoes to the front door.ย โWeโre baking cookies. I just need you to distract her, while I take her phone and look through.โ
โBel,โย Carter hissed.
โJust keep her busy, youโre good at that.โ
Carter opened her mouth to protest, but it was too late. The sound of the front door swinging open, the rustling of grocery bags.
โIโm back!โย Rachelโs voiceย ๏ฌoated through.
โGreat,โย Bel replied.ย โCarterโs here and sheโs insisting on being head baker.โย She winked at Carter, just as Rachel came around the corner.
Flushed cheeks and a smile that reached into her eyes.ย โHi, Carter,โย she said.ย โThatโsย ๏ฌne by me, totally happy for you to boss me around.โ
โNo bossing,โย Carter said,ย โwe will work as aย teeeam.โย Baring her teeth with that last word, showing them to Bel. Attagirl.
Carter went to help Rachel with the bags.
โI found a recipe online. We can use my phone,โย Bel said, pulling it out, unlocking it with her face.
A text popped up on-screen, from Ash:ย Iโm here.ย Bel had messaged him the same time as Carter:ย Come to my house now, bring the camera. Wait in the garageโside door is open. Make sure reporters donโt see you.
To which Ash had replied:ย Are you going to murder me? On my way.ย โGot it?โย Rachel asked.
Bel glanced up.ย โYeah:ย ๏ฌour, butter, peanut butter, eggsโฆโย She reeled o๏ฌย the rest of the ingredients, following Rachel and Carter into the kitchen.
She kept one eye on Rachel as she dumped a bag on the counter, her keys beside it. But where was her phone?
โGot some newย ๏ฌour,โย Rachel said.ย โWasnโt sure how long your dad had kept the old one.โ
Rachel patted the pockets of her trench jacket. She dipped her hand inside and pulled out her phone. Bel stopped moving, only her eyes. Rachel took one quick look at the screen, then placed the phone facedown on the kitchen table.
โIโll just hang my jacket up.โย Rachel pulled it o๏ฌ, draping it over one arm.ย โA-B-Bel, can youย ๏ฌnd the mixing bowl? No idea where your dad moved it to.โ
โSure.โย Bel headed toward the cupboard, using it as an excuse to move closer to the table, to study the phoneโs position. It was halfway between Belโs usual place and Dadโs, at a jaunty angle a few inches from the edge. She blinked to look at it with fresh eyes, remembering the exact spot.
Carter was watching her while Rachel was out of the kitchen. Bel pressed aย ๏ฌnger to her lips before Carter could say anything.
โAlexa!โย Rachel called, back in the room, making Belย ๏ฌinch. Sheโd only just grasped the concept, that you had to pause after the name. Or she was faking all of it.ย โPlay happy, chill music.โ
โHereโs a playlist for happy, chill music.โย Bel handed her the mixing bowl.
โThank you, sweetie. This was a nice idea.โ
Bel nodded, surprised that Rachel had fallen forย nice.
โHow much butter?โย Carter asked, heading for the refrigerator.
โOne cup. Iโll leave the recipe here on my phone.โย Bel placed it on the counter. See, Bel would leave her own phone here with Rachel. A trade, of sorts. Her eyesย ๏ฌicked to the other one. She couldnโt just take it; Rachel was standing right there, looking at her.
โIf thereโs any left over, girls, should I take some to your grandpa?โย Rachel handed a new pack of sugar to Carter.
โHeโd like that,โย Carter said, wrapping her hand around the sugar, not wincing when herย ๏ฌngers brushed against Rachelโs.
โJust wondering,โย Rachel continued,ย โwhile your dadโs away, Annabel, whether I should see if Yordan needs any help with Pat. Anything I can do, clean the house or something? Does Yordan take him out every day, for a walk or something?โ
โGrandpa canโt walk,โย Bel said, forgetting she was playing nice, adding an awkward smile to soften it.ย โDonโt worry, Yordanโs got it. And Uncle Je๏ฌย can do more.โ
But this detour into Grandpa had given Bel an idea.
โBut itโs a good idea, to take cookies around. Grandpaโs probably confused about where Dad is. Iโll get a Tupperware; you wonโt know where they live.โ
Bel opened the cupboard, Tupperware lids already slipping and sliding from their unsteady piles. She grabbed two containers, one clear, one dark blue, and their matching lids.
โHere.โย She carried them over to the kitchen table, placed them down in front of the phone, obscuring Rachelโs line of sight to it.
And just like she had hundreds of times before, with small insigni๏ฌcant things to feed that knot in her gut, she reached for the phone. Herย ๏ฌngers around its cold edges. She bracketed her hand to slide it up her sleeve, all the way in until it was gone. Hand to her chest to hold it there.
Got it.
Rachel wasnโt the only expert in disappearing.
Carter gave Bel a knowing look, a half roll of her eyes.
โGotta pee.โย Bel slipped out into the hallway. Out of sight, she transferred the phone into the back pocket of her jeans.
She waited, trying to think of something, anything, that could keep her away longer thanย gotta pee.ย Bel looked around for inspiration. Could she say she felt sick? No, that wouldnโt work, Rachel would want to stay close, pretend to mother her.
Come on, something, something. Pile of her shoes by the door. Hum of reporters outside. A letter on the sideboard, addressed toย Charlie Price,ย because the missing still got mail.
Wait, an idea.
Bel grabbed the letter, making sure the address faced her, not out.
She headed toward the kitchen, rearranging her face to someone without a plan.
โHey,โย she said from the doorway.ย โA letterโs been delivered here for Ms. Nelson. Looks important, could be something medical, insurance.โย She pretended to study the front.ย โIโll go drop it over now. Back in a minute,โย she said, turning away before anyone could protest.
โShould we preheat the oven?โย Carterโs voice rang out, bringing Rachelโs attention back to her.
โWhat temperature?โย Rachel asked.
Everyone playing their role perfectly. Bel dropped the letter back where she found it and opened the front door.
Reporters tumbled out of their vans, cameras and microphones and hopeful looks in their eyes.
โAnnabelย this.โย And:
โAnnabelย that.โ
Bel ignored them all, down the steps and toward the garage, pulling Rachelโs phone out of her back pocket, capturing her own face in its dark, unlit screen.
