Buondì!
Il Teaser Tuesday di oggi è tratto da un libro che ho finito di leggere settimana scorsa e mi è piaciuto davvero un sacco. La trama è spoilerosissima, ma il libro lo si apprezza comunque. Non è ancora uscito in italiano, ma se volete cimentarvi con un libro in inglese questo non è affatto difficile e si legge molto bene.
I grab my purse from my locker and dash outside. The sky’s looking dark. Overcast and grumpy. It hasn’t rained since I’ve moved here, but it looks like that might change today. Driving Baby in the rain isn’t my idea of a fun time, so I’m actually relieved Porter invited me out.
I . . .
Look around. To the left. To the right.
I parked her right here. I always do.
I double-check. I must be confused. Third aisle from the back door . . .
I spin around, looking for her turquoise frame and leopard-print seat. There’s got to be an explanation. Maybe someone moved her for some reason, though. . . . I don’t know how they would. . . . She was locked up. I always lock her up. Always. I go through exactly what I did when I arrived that afternoon, making sure I did—and yes, I know I did. I’m positive.
“Anything the matter, dear?”
It’s Pangborn, strolling out from the employee entrance.
“My scooter’s gone,” I say.
“What? Gone?”
“I parked it right here at the start of my shift.”
“You’re absolutely certain? What color is it? Let me help you look,” he says, putting a calming hand on my shoulder. “Don’t panic just yet, now. Let’s be sure first, okay?”
I blow out a breath and describe it. There are several scooters back here, but none of them are Vespas, none are vintage, none are turquoise, and, really, the employee lot isn’t that big. I’m starting to feel dizzy. I think it’s finally time to face facts.
Baby’s been stolen.
“Aren’t there cameras back here?” I say.
“Just over the building exits and the delivery door.” Pangborn tells me. “Not on the lots and roads.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” I say. What kind of hick place is this? Don’t they care if a truck pulls up and tries to rob the place?
I’m panicking now. What am I going to do? Should I call the police? Dad and Wanda drove to San Jose today to go dancing, or something. It’s her only day off work this week. Now I’ve got to ruin their day? And how am I going to get to work for the rest of my scheduled shifts? And who’s got my bike? Are they taking it around town for a joyride, with all my personal stuff in the seat? I think I’m going to be sick.
“What’s going on?” Porter says, out of breath as he runs up to meet us.
“Her scooter’s missing,” Pangborn tells him in a quiet voice. He’s still squeezing my shoulder. God, the old man’s so nice, and that makes me want to cry.
“Missing, as in stolen?”
“Looks like it. Didn’t notice anything unusual on the door cams, but you know how hard it is to spot anything coming and going way out here.”
“It’s impossible,” Porter agrees, and he starts asking me the same questions all over again—when did I get there, where did I park, did I lock it? I snap at him a little and then apologize. I’m on edge and trying not to bawl my eyes out like a two-year-old kid in front of everyone, because—of course—now there are several other employees out here. And everyone’s looking around the lots, making sure they don’t see it abandoned in the regular parking area.
Chapter 15 – ALEX, APPROXIMATELY di Jenn Bennet
