Christine Kersey - Suspicions: a novel of suspense

If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you'll like Suspicions.When a neighbor boy is kidnapped for ransom, Stacey Hunter is stunned to discover that circumstantial evidence points to her husband. Not able to believe he could be involved in such a horrifying crime, she sets out to discover who is really behind the kidnapping.Complicating Stacey's efforts is the odd behavior of her supervisor, Patricia Summers, who has taken a keen interest in Stacey's husband. Though uncertain of her husband's faithfulness, Stacey presses on with her investigation to flush out the kidnapper and is faced with losing everything she loves, as well as her own life.Suspicions does not contain any profanity or sexual content and is appropriate for all ages. It is 72,000 words long, which is approximately 275 pages.

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Copyright 2010 Christine Kersey

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Day 1 - Monday

Eight-year-old Robby Hunter closed the frontdoor with a soft click and stepped onto the porch, unaware he wasabout to witness something that would change his life forever.

He paused on the doorstep, half-expecting hismother to yank the door open and catch him sneaking out. Though hewanted to be obedient, the plans he and his best friend Kyle hadmade drew him away. Once Kyle got out of school, Robby would bewaiting for him so they could go to their treehouse.

The two boys usually walked home togetherafter their third grade class let out, but today Kyle was stayingafter to help Mrs. Hershfield take down the red and pink valentinehearts and put the green St. Patrick's Day clovers up in theirplace. If Robby hadn't been grounded he would have stayed to helptoo.

Sometimes Robby had trouble minding hismother; that's why he was grounded in the first place. She hadgotten tired of telling him to check in with her after schoolbefore going off to play.

I just keep forgetting, he thought, notunderstanding why it was such a big deal.

Stuffing his hands in his coat pockets, hecontinued to the school, chilled by the breeze despite the warmthof the California sun. He glanced around, relieved none of theneighborhood kids were out playing; he didn't want anyone to tellon him.

As he approached the corner near the schoolgrounds, Robby thought it might be fun to give Kyle a scare. Hecrept behind some low green bushes, every few seconds poking hishead up to watch for his friend. His wait was rewarded when he sawKyle ambling in his direction, dragging a stick across the chainlink fence surrounding the school.

Looking across the street at the walnutorchard, Robby spied the treehouse he and Kyle had built. Robby waspleased to see it was vacant; he didn't like it when other kidsplayed there.

Old Mr. Gowen had allowed them to use one ofhis walnut trees and Robby and Kyle loved to go there to play. Theywould pretend they lived on a desert island. They'd even broughtsome of their parents' old belongings to the treehouse, like an oldwind-up alarm clock and a battery-operated radio.

Robby could hardly wait until he and Kylecould go there and play. He just hoped his mom wouldn't notice hewasn't in his room.

Robby peeked over the bushes again to checkKyle's progress and saw he was nearly to his hiding place. Notwanting to give away his position, Robby stifled a giggle as Kyledrew closer. When Kyle finally reached the bushes where Robby layin wait, Robby jumped out and yelled Boo!

Kyle jumped, startled, and then laughed alongwith Robby as they raced each other across the street to theirtreehouse. It was a tie. They scrambled up the short ladder,pushing and shoving each other in their haste to reach the topfirst. They flung themselves onto the hard wooden floor andwrestled around, knocking over a large square of wood placed onbricks that they used as a table. Stopping to catch their breath,they grabbed the container of red licorice stashed in the cornerand pulled out a few of the long pieces.

Kyle bit off a large chunk. Hey, Robby, Ithought you couldn't play today.

He giggled. Yeah, but I snuck out. He tookoff his jacket and tossed it in the corner before reaching for morelicorice. My mom was busy and she didn't see me leave.

After placing the wood back on the bricks andbalancing the battery operated radio on top, they played with thedial, listening to a station for a few seconds before spinning toanother one. Soon tiring of that game, they sat without speaking,munching on their candy.

A twig snapped.

Hey, Kyle whispered. What was that?

Robby looked around. I don't know. But Ihope it's not my mom. I'll be in big trouble.

Someone was climbing the ladder.

Hey kids. What are you doin'?

It's only Mr. Gowen, Robby said to Kyle,relief clear on his face.

Fred Gowen looked like he needed a shave. Inhis late sixties, he owned the walnut orchard where the boys hadbuilt their treehouse. What're you eatin'? he asked as he gazedinto their sanctuary.

Kyle held out the box of licorice. Wantone?

Mr. Gowen stayed on the ladder and shook hishead. You be careful now, hear?

The boys nodded.

Gowen climbed back down and his footstepsfaded away.

Robby scooted toward the door, the unexpectedmeeting with Gowen reminding him he didnt want to get caught outof his room. He remembered the last time hed been grounded and hismother had discovered hed snuck out; shed added a whole week tohis punishment. Im going home, Kyle. He stepped onto the toprung of the ladder. Are you coming?

Kyle shook his head, his eyes downcast, Notyet.

How come?

I don't know, Kyle said, a solemnexpression on his face. I just don't want to go home rightnow.

But you might get in trouble from your mom,Robby said, his brow creased with concern.

Kyle stared at the piece of licorice in hishand. Maybe she'll just think I'm still at the school. He lookedup at Robby and said with intensity, Promise you won't tell I washere by myself.

How come? Robby asked, pausing on thethreshold of the treehouse.

My mom told me Im not supposed to play hereby myself. She said something could happen to me and no one wouldknow.

An unexpected shiver of dread shot up Robby'sspine. What do you mean?

The red licorice seemed to capture Kylesattention once again. I dont know.

Robby didn't understand what Kyle was talkingabout. What could happen? He wondered if Kyle was trying to spookhim to get even for surprising him at the bushes earlier.

It was working.

I thought you were going home now, Kylesaid, watching Robby hesitate in the doorway.

Yeah, and you should, too.

Kyle reached for another piece of licorice.I will in a little while.

Jumping to the ground below, Robby replayedKyles comment about something happening to him and no one knowing.Of course his parents would know, he reasoned. Parents always knowwhat's going on.