clutched Sarahâs arm and kept from falling. Sarah glanced down at her friendâs heels. âI canât believe you wear those things.â She rolled her eyes. âI mean⦠really⦠whatâs the point? Youâre already pretty tall.â
Jackie pulled herself up to her full height and gave Sarah the haughtiest look she could muster. âI think itâs important to stay up with the trends.â
âEven if it means breaking an ankle?â Sarah shook her head.
âDo I have to remind you that being fashionable is an asset?â
Sarah snorted. âAn asset for who? The bad guys chasing us? Yeah, itâs an asset all right.â
Jackie sighed and shook her head, acting like a parent with a rambunctious toddler. âWho was the one who carried the perfume that got us away from the Cat Lady killer?â She pretended to look around at an audience and then she waved her hand in Sarahâs face. âMe. It was me who had the perfume. Fashion statement, girlfriend.â
Sarah rolled her eyes. âOne time.â She gave Jackie a dismissive wave.
Jackie stopped and put her hands on her hips. She stared at Sarah with an indignant expression. âI count two times.â
Sarah giggled. âOh all right, two times, but only two.â
âWeâve only had two mysteries.â Jackie started walking again and caught up to Sarah. âThis one hasnât been solved yet. Mark my words. Fashion will play a key role. It always does in every aspect of life.â She stuck her nose up in the air and marched past Sarah with long, determined strides. She beat her to the door. Looking over her shoulder, she gave Sarah another haughty look and then flounced inside; her curls bouncing with her jaunty steps.
Sarah giggled and shook her head. Only Jackie . Gratitude for her friend warmed Sarahâs heart. It felt good to have someone like her to hang out with. Sheâd shared some pretty important moments with her and couldnât imagine what her life would be like if Jackie wasnât in it. Picking up her pace, Sarah entered the gas station and searched for her friend. Spying her by the soft drinks, Sarah hustled over and spooked her friend by poking her in the ribs.
Jackie jumped. âKnock it off, would ya?â
Sarah laughed and gave her friend a nudge. Jackie nudged her back and the girls burst into laughter.
After getting their giggles under control, they selected their beverages, paid for them, and sauntered out the door.
âIt looks like everyoneâs ready to go,â Sarah said, pointing at the car.
The rest of the gang had climbed into the Brown Bomb and seemed to be waiting for the two of them.
âIt does. Must be the car can still make it home.â
âLooks like it.â
The girls picked up their pace. Reaching the vehicle, Sarah paused before climbing in. She glanced around, searching for the Stalker and his black truck. When she didnât see either one, she took a deep breath and climbed inside.
They made their way back to Harrisburg without any further mishaps and Alex dropped the girls off at Sarah and Laceyâs. He waved goodbye and then left to take Scott home.
âWant to stay for dinner, Jack?â Sarah asked.
âIâm sure Aunt June wonât mind,â Lacey piped up.
âCool beans! Iâll just call my mom and make sure itâs okay.â
âAwesome,â Sarah said.
Climbing the stairs leading to the porch, she cast a furtive glance around. The thought the Stalker was still out there sent tingles of apprehension throughout her body. Who is he ? And why was he after us ? And why did he ram our car ? No answers came to her and she shook the questions from her mind determined to focus on finding her parents.
Once inside, the girls hustled into the kitchen; the friendliest room in the house with its warm pine cabinets and bright yellow, pineapple print wallpaper. Sarah took a deep
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