Dangerous Deception

Mom called Mrs. Spangler to thank her for helping me. Mrs. Spangler said that a contractor was there fixing her ceiling and repairing the apartment above her.

  “I’d like to visit her sometime,” I said. “She doesn’t get much company.”

  “She told me her daughter lives in Atlanta,” Mom said, “and comes once a year. I think it’s a fine idea for you to visit her, as long as you tell me when you want to go and let me drive you there.”

  “No more secret bus rides,” I said. “I promise.”

  Luckily for my nerves, Sophie replied quickly.

  Dear Emmy,

  I am so happy! When I read that you have Midnight, I jumped up and down and screamed. Mama came running and when I told her and Trudy what had happened, they jumped and screamed, too. Even Cousin Joanie screamed, and she has never met Midnight.

  We are furious with that awful man who put Midnight in the Dumpster. The day we moved out, I asked him if he had seen my cat and he said, “No.” I wish Midnight had scratched him instead of you.

  Mama and I talked about your offer to send Midnight to us and I thank you for that, but I have decided that he should stay with you. I know you love him and are taking good care of him, and a long plane ride would scare him. Also, he might not get along with Joanie and Doug’s two cats, and it will be a few months before we move into a home of our own. I wish I could have him back, but I think this is the best decision for Midnight. I want him to be happy.

  Tell Midnight that I love him, and I will always remember him, but he is your cat now and he should be a good boy.

  Your friend,

  Sophie

  As soon as I read he should stay with you the words on the page blurred with happy tears. When I had decided to deliver food to Sophie’s family, I thought I was giving a gift to a girl in need. It turns out, she gave me a wonderful gift in return. Perhaps letting me keep Midnight was her way to thank me for collecting food when her family needed help. Or maybe she was only putting what was best for Midnight ahead of her own wishes.

  I set Sophie’s letter down and picked up Midnight. “You’re a good cat,” I said as I stroked his fur. “Sophie loves you, and I love you, too.”

  Midnight purred and rubbed his head against my hand.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Special thanks:

  To everyone at Penguin Young Reader’s Group. These are smart, creative people who care about books and children; I feel fortunate to work with them. My editor, Rosanne Lauer, saw promise in my first middle-grade novel in 1986, and has helped me improve my work ever since.

  To the good folks at Curtis Brown, Ltd., for their endless enthusiasm and efficiency.

  Ginger Knowlton is an extraordinary agent, Dave Barbor makes sure my books are available in other languages, and Mina Feig is always way ahead of me in taking care of details.

  To Pete Sheridan, Deputy Sheriff with the King County WA Sheriff’s Dept., for explaining how police officers would act in my novel’s circumstances.

  To Chelsea Kehret for allowing me to tie her to a chair so that I could describe her efforts to get free.

  To Marilyn Kamcheff for expert proofreading of the first version of this book.

  To Brett Konen for insightful comments and suggestions on the final revision. Her editorial help is so valuable that I forgive her for always winning when we play Bananagrams.

  To Erin Karp of Karp Business Law for making sure Dunbar’s legal agreements are proper.

  For more information about CaringBridge, see www.caringbridge.org.