A Bad Day for Sunshine (Sunshine Vicram #1)(64)

She spent all her time with her grandparents or with Jimmy.

The color drained from her mom’s face. “All this time, we thought we had a solid lead, and . . .” She focused on her daughter again. “Honey, why are you hanging out with Jimmy Ravinder?”

“He’s my friend. He’s smart. And he’s nice.”

“He’s nice?” she said. “He’s a Ravinder.”

The way she said the words cut Auri to the bone. No paper cut this time. Her mom wielded a machete. “So, that’s how we decide who to hang out with? We look at their last name? What about the color of their skin? Does that count?”

Sun gave her an admonishing glower. “That’s not fair. I’ve told you, they’re a crime family. A criminal organization unto themselves. And they’re mixed up with some very heavy hitters who make mincemeat out of little girls and—”

“I know. I know. Eat them for breakfast.”

She leaned into her. “Sweetheart, it’s not that Jimmy is a bad guy. It’s that his family is, and you could get caught in the crossfire.”

“Jimmy wouldn’t let that happen.”

“Jimmy? What can he do against an entire family of criminals?”

“He’s gone legit with his uncle Levi. Everything about Mr. Ravinder’s operation is legal. He’s made sure of it. He’s trying to get his family out of that life, Mom. No more crossfire.”

“Yes, but there are members of the family who don’t want out of that life. Those who want back in, no matter the cost. What then?”

Auri folded her arms over her chest. Not to be belligerent, but to silently protest her mother’s position. Sun had always worried about the Ravinders. If she knew what they’d done for her, what they’d done for Auri, she wouldn’t be so quick to judge.

Besides, the woman was so in love with Jimmy’s uncle Levi, it was ridiculous.

Auri suddenly realized the larger implications of all of this. “Mom, does this mean you don’t have any clues as to where Sybil might be now?”

“I don’t know anymore. Just because you match Sybil’s description doesn’t mean he isn’t with her.”

“Mom, you can’t actually suspect him of taking her!”

“I’m not saying he took her. What if they were walking and got lost? What if one of them is hurt? We can’t rule out his involvement.”

Auri ignored the worry gnawing at her stomach. “He’s not involved with this, and Sybil is okay. I’ll find something, Mom.”

“Oh, honey, even if you did—”

“No. She’s still alive. She has to be. We only just met.”

Sun tilted her head, her expression full of warmth and appreciation, but Auri didn’t understand why. “Leave it to my daughter to give the sheriff a pep talk.”

“I’m just worried about them. Both of them.”

“I am, too, bug bite.”

“Please let me help with the search. He’s been out in this weather. He’ll be scared and disoriented. And he knows me. He trusts me. He would come if I called to him.”

“Sweetheart, it’s just too cold in the mountains. I promise I’ll let you know immediately if we find him.”

She pursed her lips. It was better than nothing. Besides, she had a couple of students to interrogate.





15


Go ahead! Try starting your day without coffee!

Our deputies need a few more arrests to make their quota.



—SIGN AT CAFFEINE-WAH

Her mom dropped her off at school, this time with no flashing lights, and sped off to get ready for the day and then join the search. The search Auri would have killed to be at. Still, she did have another fun-filled day planned with the Lynelle clones. She could only imagine what the day might bring.

But first, she needed to interrogate one Mr. Aiden Huang, the boy who was in the office the day before and who was surprised when they talked about printing Sybil’s schedule.

He knew something. Auri could feel it. So she waited by the front doors for him, even though she didn’t look up his schedule. He could have first period in another building.

Of course, she also waited for Cruz, and she was only a little disappointed when Aiden showed up first. She made eye contact as he walked past and tried to wave him down, but he only walked faster. So she followed faster.

She may be short, but she was determined. She could outlast him if it came to that.

He stopped at his locker and started when he looked over his shoulder and found her standing there.

“You’re the new girl,” he said, making small talk.

“Don’t even pretend to care. What do you know about Sybil St. Aubin?”

It took him several tries, but he got the locker open. “Sybil who?”

She stepped closer, and his lids rounded. Only he wasn’t looking at her. He’d looked over his shoulder at the kid towering over her and paled.

“What’s going on?” Cruz asked.

“Nothing. I swear,” he said, way more nervous than he should have been, and Auri was beginning to see a pattern.

She turned to him and asked, “Cruz De los Santos, are you a bully?”

His expression flatlined, then he said, “He’s getting away.”