Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [71]
She did a quick scan of the Mini Mart. No Pat. No Warren.
Hello? she called, her voice squeaky, hesitant.
She went back to the front door and looked out across the parking lot toward the road. No one. Nothing.
How could she never have considered Pat a suspect before? Pat knew Trudy and Ernie. But it still didnt make sense. Pat had been so earnest in her search for Ernie. She so desperately wanted to find the little girl.
Had Pat and Peter been in on it together? Or was Rhonda wrong about Peter?
Rhonda had never been alone in the Mini Mart before. Shed never noticed the low droning hum of the coolers and air conditioning. The place was full of barely audible clicks and whirs. At each new noise, she turned to look over her shoulder.
She was sure she could hear breathing.
Pat?
Rhonda walked through the store, around the racks of snack cakes and chips, finally stepping behind the register, where she flipped the wall switches, making the store blaze with light. She looked up at the rows of cigarettes, the warnings about selling tobacco and alcohol to underage kids, which included a visual guide to acceptable photo IDs. The counter was covered in scratched Plexiglas and, under it, was a list of prices for beer, soda, coffee, and dairy products. She heard a low rumble in the back cornerjust the soda fountain machine making ice.
She made her way to the abandoned volunteer table. Notepads, telephones, and the laptop were scattered across the surface. And there was a Styrofoam cup nearly full of hot chocolate. Rhonda picked it upstill warm.
Rhonda.
The voice behind her made Rhonda jump, spilling the warm cocoa on the leg of her jeans. Jesus! she yelped, spinning around to face Pat.
I didnt mean to startle you, Pat said. I was doing some work in my office and thought I heard a noise.
I Rhonda stammered. I just wondered if there was any word yet.
Pat shook her head. Not yet. She eyed the cup of hot chocolate in Rhondas hand.
Looks like maybe Warren showed up? Rhonda asked.
Pat gave a slow nod. Hes in my office, actually. I think hes got some things to explain to you.
Rhonda set the Styrofoam cup down, wiped her hands on her jeans, and looked across the store and down the hall that led to the office.
Its time he told you the truth, Pat said.
Truth? Rhonda murmured. Pat gestured toward the back hall, reminding Rhonda of the way the white rabbit had guided her through the woods that Easter long ago.
Now Warren was the basket of candy.
Hesitantly, with Pat half a step behind her, Rhonda made her way to the office. She opened the door and stepped inside.
Where is Rhonda said.
Pat slipped in and closed the door behind them, standing with her back against it. Next to the door, a large crowbar leaned against the wall. Pat bent and picked it up in one quick move.
AUGUST 10, 1993
WHY? RHONDA SAID.Why would you want to wreck our stage?
Because its over, Peter said.
What is? Rhonda hoped he meant things with him and Tock. Maybe Tock and Lizzywere secretly in love. Right then, up on stage, Tock spooned against Lizzy, whispering in her ear, they looked like two people in love. Rhonda was almost embarrassed for them. But jealous at the same time. Whatever this big thing was that was happening between them, Rhonda wasnt a part of it and she had been a part of everything in Lizzys life up till then.
Do you trust me, Ronnie? Peter asked.
She nodded.
Then help me do this. He held out his hand and Rhonda joined him on stage. Together, they grabbed the sheet with the painted scene of the Darling childrens nursery and ripped it down. Behind it were the blue water and palm trees of Neverland.
But Peter Rhonda began.
We need more tools, Peter said, jumping off the stage, running behind it to the box where they kept a few basics. He returned with a crowbar and saw.
Its time, Tock whispered, pulling Lizzy up. Lizzy picked up the hammer Peter had been holding and started hitting the floorboards, cautiously at first, then using all of her force. Tock picked