"Please . . . don't cry. You had to have known I'd do this at some point."
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Parker Sims is the class clown but that doesn't mean he's easy to fool. And that's just what Nola B. is good at - fooling people. She's got the whole school believing th...
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***
Chapter Twenty-Seven:
"I'm actually expecting two people," Parker admitted as he stood up. "That will either be Mr. Harper or the pizza man."
"You ordered a pizza?" Aunt Suzanna asked at the same time Nola inquired why Douglas Harper was coming.
"I ordered a pizza to arrive here after school because I figured we'd be hungry. However, Douglas Harper was the one to call me, before I picked Nola up. He asked to meet up with us in person." Parker walked over to the front door and opened it to reveal Douglas Harper. "Hello, Mr. Harper."
Douglas nodded at Parker before strolling in. He saw two women sitting in the living room. Douglas knew that one of them was Nola but he was uncertain who the other woman was. "Good afternoon," he greeted.
"Hi, I'm Suzanna Wilson - Nola's aunt." Suzanna stood up and gave a small wave. "Are you thirsty? I can get you something to drink."
"I'm fine," Douglas walked into the room more. "Nola, I wanted to ask you some questions - if that's okay with you."
"Yes, Sir," Nola replied.
"Have a seat," Parker motioned to the couch, which was plenty of room for the three of them.
"Thank you," Douglas sat down and gave Nola a warm grin. "Like I said, I came to ask some questions. Nola-"
The sudden sound of doorbell ringing made Nola jump. She quickly composed herself but kept her gaze away from everyone that sat on the couch. Nola was embarrassed because she knew they'd all seen her reaction to the doorbell.
"That would be the pizza guy. I'll be right back," Parker announced before heading over to the front door.
"What did you want to ask Nola, Mr. Harper?" Suzanna inquired.
"Mitch is asking for a lighter sentence than he knows he'd get going to court."
An ice cold feeling washed over Nola. She involuntarily began to shiver, "You're gonna let him go..."
"Nola, I'm not going to let him walk. He'll get a lighter sentence, though - unless you can help me."
Nola raised an eyebrow, "How?"
"Did Mitch ever talk to you about a girl named Camille Kennedy?"
"C-Ca-mille Kennedy? Wasn't she the girl that went missin-"
"Sorry to interrupt the real serious moment here." Parker placed the pizza box on the coffee table. Standing straight, Parker asked where he could find some plates and napkins.
"I'll help you," Suzanna got up from the couch and led Parker into the kitchen.
Douglas cleared his throat before picking back up his conversation with Nola. "I believe you were asking if she's the girl that has been missing?"
Nola nodded, "she's been missing f-for a few years."
"Three," Douglas clarified. "We've not been able to find her. Mitch has indicated that he has her locked away somewhere. I've only four hours to find Camille before Mitch is given what he wants - in exchange for where he has her.
"I'd like to find her before he gets what he wants." Douglas sighed, "I want him to pay, Nola. Just like you do. So, please help me."
"What can I do to help? He ... he never talked about her, so I-I don't know any-anything..."
"But, you dated him. Maybe, he told you something that would indicate where he was hiding her."
"No, he didn't. As far as my knowledge goes if-if he wasn't here, he was at work or his place a few miles from here."
"Whispering Pines Apartments is where our file says he lives. We checked his place, it came up empty. Did he mention any other place that he has, or goes to, that he could hide Camille?"
Nola shook her head.
Douglas exhaled loudly, "Think, Nola."
Something snapped inside Nola when Douglas spoke. Her mind wondered off, without warning, to the memory of Mitch standing over her, kicking her in the sides. Over and over he repeated 'Why don't you ever think, Nola?!'
Her body shook and tears started streaming down her face. "I'm sorry," She wept.
Parker walked into the room holding a stack of plates and napkins. He was all smiles until he saw Nola, "What happened?" He asked as he raced over to Nola. Parker sat what he was holding on the glass coffee table, next to the pizza, and kneeled down in front of Nola. "Why are you crying?"
Nola cringed when his hand came near her face, to wipe her tears.
Parker retracted his hand, "I didn't mean too..."
When Nola finally calmed down, Mr. Harper spoke up. "I apologize, Nola. I just don't want him to get this deal and you're the only one that might have an idea of where he's keeping Camille."
