The Disappearance of Emily: Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic Series Book 2 by Elizabeth Pantley (best books under 200 pages .txt) 📗

who uses it, and there is only one user at a time. If someone else tries to use it, they’ll find it pretty much functions as an empty box. Here. Let me show you the basic functions. It’s user friendly and will adapt to your needs and habits.”

Just like many things around here, I found that to be intriguing, but also a little creepy. Creepy or not, having a camera that functioned as a thinking partner would be handy.

My father was correct. It was easy to use, almost as intuitive as using my phone. Strangely, it was already synced to my phone, so my trial photos appeared in my photos in a brand-new folder labeled ‘Observer.’ If only all electronics would be that easy!

“Leonard!” Grandmother’s scream broke through our conversation. It bellowed through the house as if on a loudspeaker, “Call 911. Come outside!”

The two of us sprinted through the house. My father called for emergency help as he ran.

We burst through the front door to see the mail delivery truck in the driveway. The mail carrier was lying on the pavement and pieces of mail were scattered around the yard. The carrier was moaning so, thankfully, he was alive. I didn’t think I could handle another dead body. Ouch, that thought sounded self-centered. Of course, I felt bad for this injured person.

I looked down and noticed that my new camera was around my neck, but I can tell you for sure that I didn’t put it there. I took that as a sign and snapped a few quick photos.

I could already hear the ambulance driving our way. In just minutes, they were tending to the injured mail carrier, putting him on a stretcher, and driving away to the hospital. I barely had time to process the event, and it seemed to be over.

My father picked up the pieces of mail, which all appeared to be addressed to Caldwell residents. The keys were still in the mail truck, and one of the maintenance staff pulled it over near the garage.

We were all heading back into the house when a FedEx van pulled up to the house. The carrier handed a box to Leonard, got his signature, and drove off.

Leonard examined the package with a puzzled look. “Hayden, this is for you.”

12

A package for me? My father handed it over. It was large and heavy. I glanced at the return label. ‘Destiny Falls Ferry System.’ My brain pinged and my first thoughts were of Nakita, the ferry captain, saying, “I have something for you,” “tell no one,” “for the safety of your family,” and “life or death.”

I quickly corralled my thoughts. “Oh, my order arrived!” I lied. “I think I’ll go unpack it.” I turned away, heading off any questions. I went into the house, struggling to carry the heavy box up to my room. My father offered to help, but I yelled, “Got it!” over my shoulder.

My door shut behind me more loudly than I intended. I placed the box on my floor and stared at it. My breathing was coming out fast and loud, my heart was thumping.

“Whoa, Nelly. Is that a box of snakes or something?” Latifa and Chanel were creeping cautiously toward the box and eyeing it as if something would pop out at any moment.

“This is from the ferry company. I think it might it be what Nakita, the ferry captain, was planning to give me.”

“You mean the lady who is . . . dearly departed?” She whispered the words ‘dearly departed.’

I nodded. The three of us just stared at the box. Finally, Chanel broke the silence with a meow. Latifa translated, “She thinks you should open it.”

The two of them backed up a few feet and huddled close together.

I grabbed a pair of scissors off my desk and sat down on the floor next to the box. I scored along the tape lines, then pulled the box open.

It was a mess. It looked like a toddler had packed it. I dug through it and saw documents, receipts, ledgers, notebooks, and file folders. Many of the papers were wrinkled or creased. The box was filled to capacity.

“This is bizarre,” I said. “I wonder if this is what someone thought was in the mail truck?”

“What mail truck?” asked Latifa.

I realized that the cats had been upstairs and missed the drama of the injured postal worker and the mail strewn all over the yard. I shared the story and they agreed it seemed connected.

“Well, I’m due over at Olivia’s for lunch,” I said. I lugged the box into my closet and covered it with my stack of laundry to make it less conspicuous. “I’ll look through this tonight.”

“Before you abandon us. Yet again.” Deep sigh. “What’s with the camera around your neck?”

I gave the cats a quick rundown of my new job as editor and photographer for the Destiny Falls Observer. They were duly impressed.

“It wouldn’t hurt you to practice using it,” Latifa said as she began to pose.

When we finished her impromptu modeling session, I turned on the movie channel and filled the cat food bowl. I grabbed the box of blueberry scones I had picked up from Vessie’s café for Olivia.

Latifa made a coughing noise.

“What?”

“Are those bluuueberry scones? Ah, how I love bluuueberry scones,” she said.

“Have you ever had blueberry scones?”

“No. But I loooove them.”

I put a few pieces on a small plate for them to share, then headed out to my friend’s home for a visit and lunch.

Olivia and Hercules were enjoying the beautiful day out on her porch. She waved happily as I approached. Of course, there was a fresh pitcher of lemonade and a platter of homemade cookies on the table, along with an assortment of sandwiches, olives, and pickles. I lifted the box from Vessie’s and waved it at her.

“Ohhh. I know that’s going to be good! I love Vessie’s treats,” Olivia said. She took the box and peeked in, sniffing and moaning. “Yum. Scones! Thanks, Hayden.”

“You’re