Free The Black Cadillac by Ryan P. Ruiz Page A

Cody’s shirt was drenched with sweat. Even at another house, the nightmares continued.
    They got dressed and went down to the kitchen. There was a sweet smell in the air. Zach’s mom was making French toast for them.
    “Yeah, Mom!” shouted Zach. “French toast! Perfect!”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Madden,” Cody said politely.
    “You’re welcome, boys,” she said.
    She put two pieces on each plate, sprinkled them with powdered sugar, and handed the plates to the boys. Zach’s mom genuinely liked her son’s best friend. She was always nice to Cody.
    “There’s more where those came from, do eat up,” she said.
    Zach pulled the carton of milk out of the fridge and grabbed two cups from the cabinet.
    “Don’t forget this too,” his mom said.
    She put a bottle of chocolate syrup on the table with a spoon.
    Zach and Cody loved chocolate milk. Cody drizzled the dark syrup in his cup and stirred it with the spoon. There was something about the first gulp of freshly made chocolate milk Cody loved.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Madden,” said Cody.
    “Yeah, thanks again, Mom,” Zach followed.
    “What’s on the agenda today, guys?” she said.
    “Scotty is taking us to Reagan Park to play some basketball on the full courts,” Zach quickly responded.
    Reagan Park was on the other side of town and was too far to ride a bike. Though it was a lie, it would be the perfect cover.
    “Oh really, how nice of your brother.” She sounded very surprised.
    “Yep, I do have a great brother,” said Zach sarcastically.
    Cody let out a small laugh while Zach just grinned.
    “After we are done eating, let’s go shoot some hoops. We need to practice so we are ready for the pickup games at the park,” suggested Zach.
    “Yeah, good idea,” replied Cody.
    “Mom, have you heard any news on the missing girl in Sheldon?” asked Zach.
    “No, honey, they are still looking for her. The longer amount of time that goes by, the chances go down of finding her. Such a sad story, I feel so terrible for her parents,” Mrs. Madden said.
    “Yeah, we do too, Mom,” said Zach.
    “Cody, isn’t your sister the same age of Mandy?” she asked.
    “Yes, she is,” answered Cody, looking at his friend with concern.
    “That’s what I thought,” Mrs. Madden said.
    They finished up breakfast and threw their dishes in the sink.
    “Thanks again, Mrs. Madden,” said Cody again.
    “You’re welcome, sweetie,” she cheerfully said.
    Zach was already grabbing his basketball and tennis shoes from the hallway closet. Cody started to put his Reeboks on. Cody tied his shoes and pushed the pump two times on the tongue of each shoe.
    The boys went out the side door and into the back. They shot hoops for a couple of hours while also chatting back and forth.
    Zach looked at his digital watch, and it was a little past noon. It was almost time. Scotty came out of the house and told the boys it was time to leave at ten till. Zach took one last shot from twenty feet away, and the ball swished through the net.
    Scotty’s car was parked on the street in front of the house. It was a smaller boxy car called a Ciera. The maroon paint was faded on the hood of the car, and there was bubbling around the wheel wells. The car was eight years old, but it was sufficient for Scotty to go back and forth to school.
    All three of them hopped in. Zach took the front seat, and Cody sat in the back behind him. Scotty turned the key, and the engine fired on.
    “I’m going to Lincoln Street, right?” asked Scotty.
    “Yes, make a right in Thomas, go straight for about a mile, and turn left on Lincoln,” said Zach, fiddling with the radio in the center dash.
    “Don’t touch that. I know where Lincoln is. Do you want me to park on the street when we get there?” said Scotty.
    “Yes, hopefully, there will be a black Cadillac across from the church,” replied Zach.
    “Man, you guys are weirdos,” insisted Scotty.
    “We know,” Cody said from the backseat.
    Scotty put the