Free Out of the Deep by Gloria Skurzynski

her.”
    Steven drew a sharp breath. “And I’ll have to contact Ms. Lopez. Boy, I’m not looking forward to making that call. How do I explain to her that I lost the girl—twice? Ms. Lopez will have to let Bindy’s family know, of course. This could get ugly.”
    For as long as Jack could remember, his father had lectured him about obeying the posted speed limit, but this time Steven was pushing it a lot faster than he should. Oak trees and pines streaked by in a silver-green blur. Jack could feel centrifugal force pressing him against the side of the door as Steven sailed around a bend. Ashley shot Jack a worried look; Jack shrugged in reply.
    â€œDad,” Ashley cried, “slow down.”
    When Steven hit the brakes, Jack snapped forward. “Kids, I want you both to look for Bindy while I drive,” he said. “It’s a long shot, but it’s possible she decided for some strange reason to walk back to our motel. Although she doesn’t have a key to the room. But then again, the lady at the front desk would probably let her in if she asked.”
    â€œWe’re watching for her, Dad,” Jack assured him. “Ashley’s taking the left side, and I’m looking out the right. If she’s out there on the road, we’ll spot her.”
    Not that checking the roadside would do much good. Bindy would never have made it this far, at least not under her own steam. A few cars passed by as visitors entered the park, but not many cars were leaving. Jack saw a biker in an apple-green helmet whizzing along on razor-thin tires, plus one woman on a motorcycle, then another trickle of cars and a Hummer. But no Bindy. She’d just vanished.
    Pressing his forehead against the glass, Jack watched the spruce and oak trees fly by. Acadia was breathtaking. The whole park seemed to have been gilded with yellow-gold, not the autumn kind that meant the approach of winter, but the bright sun gold of early summer. Boulders appeared every now and then, like large stone turtles, and every so often the trees would part to reveal a slice of coastline. The ocean looked more gentle from a distance, with tiny whitecaps that laced the ocean like bits of frosting, but Jack wasn’t fooled by its benign appearance. His skin was still cold from standing in the 50-degree waves that had chilled him to the bone. Tightening the blanket underneath his chin, he pictured a hot shower, dreaming of how amazingly good it would feel to steam himself half raw. That was the first thing he’d do. The second thing would be to wash out his running shoes, since they were beginning to smell like fish.
    â€œKids, I know you’re cold and wet, but could you bear with me while I take a quick check of the town? The chances are pretty slim that we’ll spot Bindy on the streets, but I’d like to give it one last shot before I have to—” His voice turned grim. “To go to the police.”
    â€œNo problem, Dad,” Jack and Ashley both agreed.
    Moments later, Steven turned down a road that led him to the main street of Bar Harbor, their first chance to see the town in daylight. Brick storefronts were shaded by scalloped awnings, wedged between small wooden buildings that had been painted the colors of gourmet jelly beans.
    â€œWow, this town is so cool! When can we come back for a real visit?” Ashley asked.
    â€œI have no idea,” Steven told her. “This trip has turned into a nightmare. You’d better take it all in now.”
    Knots of tourists milled along the sidewalks, peering into windows or walking hand in hand, some with peppermint-striped paper bags from the candy shop, others carrying shopping bags filled to overflowing. Wooden signs with all kinds of pictures decked the shops: One had a blue fish, another a lobster, and a third showed a family of bears carved into wood. There was no sign of Bindy, and no way, Jack decided, they could find her by