Free Abduction! by Peg Kehret Page B

school,” Bonnie said.
    “Someone has to notice a small boy and a dog who suddenly show up where they didn’t live before,” Mrs. Sholter said. “Whoever took them might be able to pretend Matt is a visiting relative, but Pookie’s not easy to conceal—he has to go outside regularly. Matt and Pookie together will be hard to hide.”
    “They may not be together,” Detective Morrison said. “Matt’s abductor might have given the dog to someone.”
    “Such as the couple in the park,” Bonnie said.
    “It’s also possible Pookie’s disappearance and Matt’s aren’t connected.”
    “Pookie’s picture has been on TV and in the newspaper,” Bonnie said. “Who would keep a dog they know was stolen?”
    “Not everyone watches the news or reads the papers,” Detective Morrison said.
    Bonnie sank into a chair. “It keeps getting worse and worse,” she said.
    “We’ll find Matt and Pookie,” Mrs. Sholter said. “We have to find them.”
    Detective Morrison nodded. “It may take a few days.”
    Bonnie didn’t think she could stand it if it went that long with no word.
    “The abductor might try to disguise Matt,” Detective Morrison said. “His hair could be cut differently or even dyed a different color. He’s probably wearing new clothes by now.”
    “Maybe they’ll dye Pookie’s hair, too,” Bonnie said.
    “I doubt anyone would dye the dog’s fur,” Detective Morrison said, “but they might shave it off.”
    “Everyone is looking for a shaggy dog,” Bonnie said.
    “I know.”
    “Maybe the man kept Matt, but gave Pookie to the old couple,” Bonnie said. “Maybe they’re his parents or his grandparents.”
    “You should go into police work,” Detective Morrison said. “You think like a cop. More likely, the person who took Pookie dumped him after he served his purpose of luring Matt into the car.”
    “Whoever found him thinks he was a stray,” Bonnie said.
    “Do you know anyone who works for UPS?” Detective Morrison asked.
    “No,” Mrs. Sholter said.
    “Did you in the past?”
    “No.”
    “I thought the man at the school wasn’t really a UPS deliveryman,” Bonnie said.
    “He wasn’t. I’m trying to find out where he got the uniform. Maybe he used to work for UPS, or a relative works for them. Maybe it wasn’t a real uniform. Anyone could buy a brown shirt and embroider UPS on the pocket. If he wore matching brown pants, he’d look authentic.”
    “There are so many possibilities,” Bonnie said. “How can you sort through everything?”
    “I can’t,” Detective Morrison said. “I start with what seems most important, the most likely to provide a solid lead, and follow through on that. Other officers do the same, one idea at a time.”
    “We appreciate all you’re doing,” Mrs. Sholter said.
    “By the way, the police in Reno say your ex-husband left there four years ago, leaving twelve unpaid traffic tickets but no forwarding address.”
    Mrs. Sholter made no comment.
    Usually Sundays flew past much faster than schooldays, but this one dragged on. Every time the mantelclock struck the hour, Bonnie thought, Another hour without Matt. Another hour without Pookie.
    Two women who worked with Bonnie’s mom brought a casserole and some potato salad. “You have to eat,” they said, “and we didn’t want you worrying about what to fix.”
    Not long after they left, Nancy and her parents arrived with a platter of fried chicken and half a cake. “The cake’s left over from Grandma’s party,” Nancy said.
    Matt’s friend Stanley and his dad brought a big bowl of macaroni and cheese. Stanley still looked scared.
    “This is Matt’s favorite meal when he’s at our house,” Stanley’s dad said. “We thought you should have some ready to warm up as soon as Matt gets home.”
    “Thank you,” Bonnie said as she took the bowl.
    “Will you have Matt call me as soon as he gets home?” Stanley asked.
    Mrs. Sholter promised she would. Then she put the macaroni and