Maranna Chan - Dangerous Disappearance

Copyright 2014 by Maranna Chan

Cover illustration copyright 2014 by Epigram Books

All rights reserved.

Published in Singapore by Epigram Books.

www.epigrambooks.sg

Cover design by Lydia Wong

Cover illustration by Ray Toh

Edited by Dan Koh and Sheri Goh

National Library Board Singapore

Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Chan, Maranna, 1973

Dangerous disappearance / Maranna Chan.

Singapore : Epigram Books, 2014.

pages cm. (Triple nine sleuths)

ISBN : 978-981-0780-34-0 (paperback)

ISBN : 978-981-0780-35-7 (ebook)

1. Criminal investigation Juvenile fiction.

2. Missing persons Investigation Juvenile fiction.

I. Toh, Ray. II. Title. III. Series: Triple nine sleuths.

PZ7

S823 -- dc23 OCN879145251

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

First Edition

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my friends who are my fans:

Longly

Alice Tiam

Meliza Sompolpong

Joella Alejandro

Arati Dubey

SherMay Loh

Millie Lam

Winnie Koh

Naodia Sze

Helen Luah

Waili

Kelly Law

Bernard Mok

Michael Suwandi

Ruth and Aser Medina

The books are full of excitement. Triple Nine
Sleuths is the best detective series I have ever read.

I cant wait for the next book!Michelle, 11

The books are thrilling and the characters are
hilarious. I think everyone should read them.

Regina, 13

I couldnt take my eyes off the book. The author
describes the action so well that when I read the
part about the murder case, I could really imagine
the scene playing in my head. If anyone is looking
for a good local mystery series, I would definitely
recommend the Triple Nine Sleuths series.

Anna, 11

I got so inspired reading the series that I want
to be an author when I grow up, just like

Maranna Chan.Andrea, 10

Also in the series:

DANGEROUS LIMELIGHT

DANGEROUS DESPAIR

DANGEROUS ISLAND

DANGEROUS SCHEMES

DANGEROUS MESSAGE

DANGEROUS CONSPIRACY

REBECCA SIM
ENNEA: THE RESIGNED DOORMAT

She was so eager to maintain peace that she
refused to see her problems and downplayed issues.

She could not cope with anything that upset her.

She was stubborn and resisted any solutions.

Depressed and confused, she was reliant
on her husband and allowed him to abuse her.

She paid for her sins.

WHAT DO YOU think of this? Stacy Rodriguez asked, showing her best friend, Corey Lam, a picture on her new iPad. Corey was a shy and mousy girl with thick glasses who loved reading. Stacy was a more outdoorsy kind of girl and had no time for books. The 14-year-olds were at Coreys place, waiting for Coreys brother, Colton, to return home.

What about it? Its a hobbits house, Corey said.

Im thinking of decorating my room to look like this, Stacy said.

Why? Are you a hobbit? Corey asked. The round doors are impractical.

But theyre so cute! Stacy said.

Wait. Your room? What room? You live in the hall, Stacy, Corey said. She had been to Stacys rented one-room flat before. There were no bedrooms.

Nana bought a two-room flat in Ang Mo Kio so Im finally getting a bedroom! Nana said shes used to sleeping in the hall, in front of the TV, so the room is mine! All mine! Stacy said with glee.

Youre moving? Corey asked.

I took your advice to invest my money and not spend it all away, Stacy replied.

A few months earlier, Stacy had found a bankbook with $100,000 in her name. Born out of wedlock, Stacys parents had gone missing when Stacy was three, and Stacy was raised by her grandmother. Stacy had been searching for her parents for as long as she could remember. Stacy suspected that the $100,000 had been left by her father, Stanley Oei, who had run away with a large sum of money.

After Stacy had discovered her inheritance, Corey encouraged her to use the money to buy a flat for Nana and herself. With government subsidies, Nana could afford a two-room flat in Ang Mo Kio.

But why Ang Mo Kio? Couldnt you buy a flat here in Serangoon? Corey asked. And does this mean youll have to change schools? Stacy was Coreys only friend. Corey was worried that if Stacy moved away, she would lose their friendship. Stress made Coreys airways tighten, and she took out her asthma inhaler.

There werent any units in Serangoon for us to choose from. Nana said Ang Mo Kio was the next best choice. Its not that far from Serangoon, Stacy explained. She knew this would cause Corey some anxiety. Ill just have to wake up earlier to get to school.

Is thatpossible? Corey asked. School was only a 10-minute walk from Stacys home and she was already habitually late. Corey couldnt imagine what it would be like if Stacy had to take public transport to school.

Stacy and Corey heard Colton at the door. Snowy jumped up at the sound and wagged his tail, impatient for Colton to open the door. Hey Stacy, Colton said as he picked up his dog. Colton was 11 months older than his sister, but they were both in Secondary Two as they had been born in the same yearColton in January and Corey in December. In the last few months, Coltons facial features had become more chiselled and his voice had grown deeper. Any news about Paula?

Ive been trying to get in touch with her but she hasnt replied, Stacy replied, crestfallen. Paula De Souza was the best friend of Stacys mother, Cybil. The previous year, Stacy had met up with Paula to find out who her father was. Paula had denied knowing him, but a wedding certificate Stacy had recently found showed that Paula was a witness at their wedding. Why had she lied? Stacy wondered.

All I get is her voice mail which spouts a different inspirational quote each week. Todays quote is: It matters not what you are thought to be, but what you are. Last weeks was: The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself, Stacy said.

I cant believe youre getting wiser just by your persistent calls to Paula, Corey said.

Im always expecting that one day her voice mail will say: If youre Stacy, stop calling me, Stacy said.

So shes deliberately avoiding you, Colton said.

I suggest we look for her at her home, Corey said. She lives somewhere in Choa Chu Kang. Using her iPad, Stacy showed Colton the pictures Paula had posted on Instagram. She scrolled to one of Paulas Zumba instructor. The caption said, Zumba instructor Hayley at CCK community centre. She could really shake it.

Thats Choa Chu Kang Community Centre, Corey said, pointing at the picture. So she probably lives in the neighbourhood. Stacy and I called up the community centre to find out when their Zumba lessons are conducted. But the class has been discontinued. It only ran for one-and-a-half months from September to October last year.

Look at Paulas selfie, Colton said. It was taken in her bedroom. Therere some HDB flats outside the windows. Maybe if we find those flats, we can find out where she lives! The Housing Development Board blocks had arched roofs and were painted brown, beige and orange.

Look at her window, Corey pointed out. Paulas white windows were cottage-style, with stained glass. These look specially designed.