Free The Blood Lie by Shirley Reva Vernick

Jack’s parents were planted like solemn statues on the front stoop. It was going to be a long night for everyone, and they all knew it.

    Emaline bolted upright in bed.
    â€œEm, what is it?” asked Lydie, who was lying next to her in the bed.
    â€œI had a crazy, awful dream, it was about Daisy, she was in a boat on the river—no, not exactly, more like a raft on a pond, she was calling to me, she was saying… God, I can’t remember what it was .”
    Emaline swung her feet onto the floor and covered her face with her hands. “It felt so real, what if it means something, what if it’s a clue?—if I could just bring it back.” It was no use, though. The dream had vanished.
    â€œI don’t believe in that stuff,” Lydie said firmly, putting her hand on Emaline’s back. “Dreams are dreams, and real life is real life, and that’s all.”
    â€œI guess so. Sorry I woke you.”

    â€œNo need. Listen, I hear your mother in the kitchen. How about we go keep her company?”

    Jack watched his mother step cautiously to the phone stand in the hallway. After resting her hand on the receiver for several seconds, she picked it up and asked the operator to connect her to the rabbi’s house. There was no answer. Next, she asked for Sophie Popkin, but immediately remembered that the Popkins were out of town for the holy days. “Put me through to Anna Friedman instead, would you?” she said.
    â€œHello, Anna, this is Eva Pool. Forgive me for calling so late—I know it’s after eleven…I am well, thank you. I just wanted to let you know that you might be getting a visitor tonight…No, not that. It’s in connection with the little girl who’s gone missing… Yes, it’s terrible, isn’t it? Do you know the family?…Anyway, there’s a search going on, and the police are making some stops, so don’t be surprised if you hear from them…You’re most welcome. Perhaps I’ll call again later tonight or in the morning then? Good-bye, dear.”
    â€œMama, that’s never going to work,” Jack said. “You need to be more direct if you want anyone to understand that their store is about to get raided.”
    â€œI don’t trust those party lines one bit. There are too many gossips with nothing better to do than eavesdrop on other people’s conversations. I don’t want to accidentally spread this rumor any further than it’s already gotten.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œYou let me handle this my own way,” she said and was about to pick up the receiver again when the phone rang.

    â€œHello?…Oh, Dr. Levine, is everything all right? Be careful how you say it, now… You too? I knew the other storekeepers were in for it, but your medical office?… Yes, I know. Did he say where he was going next or…I see…Well, I was just about to call the Kauffmans and Kaplans. If you want to try reaching Dr. Grunbaum and, let’s see, maybe the Liptons, that would help…Yes, yes, I’ll stay in touch. You too.”
    â€œJack,” she said when she hung up, “I want you to take Harry and Martha into my bedroom and lock yourselves in there. Carry Martha in and tell her everything’s all right.”
    â€œBut Mama—”
    â€œNo buts. I have calls to make, and that’s where I want the three of you.”
    â€œFor how long?”
    â€œUntil I say so.”
    â€œBut I can help you.”
    The phone rang again. Mrs. Pool gave Jack her I-mean-it look. He left to find Martha and Harry.

    At 11:30, Martha was curled up under an Adirondack blanket, asleep on her parents’ bed, and Harry was stretched out on the floor, trying to lose himself in the latest issue of Life magazine. Jack sat in the rocking chair near the window, holding his shofar and studying a crack that zigzagged its way across the ceiling. He was thinking, thinking