Washed Up (A Gracie Andersen Mystery Book 4) Read Online Free

because of the two bedrooms. Adios to our treasure hunters then.”
    Gracie’s sudden presence in the kitchen interrupted Amanda’s next comment.
    “Everything all right?” Amanda asked her.
    “Keeping my fingers crossed. A software issue, but it’s working for the time being.” Gracie rubbed the back of her neck. “This was supposed to be a vacation, but I feel like I’ve spent more time on the phone fixing problems at the kennel than relaxing. Of course, Marc hasn’t been around that much either. It’s been mostly frustrating.”
    “Don’t worry, Miss Gracie,” Lupita soothed. “Let me get you something to eat.”
    “No thanks, Lupita. Marc just texted me. With any luck, he’ll be here to pick me up in an hour. We’re going to Pizzeria Mimosa for dinner tonight.”
    “ Bueno ! You wait. Everything will be okay,” Lupita assured her. “I have to go. I’ll be here at 6:30 tomorrow, Señora.”
    “Thanks for staying later, Lupita,” Amanda said. “You were a lifesaver today.”
    Lupita waved and slipped out through the courtyard.
    “So, he’s finished with the search and rescue?” Amanda tossed the soda can in the garbage.
    “He and Max are done for the day. Max cut a pad pretty deeply. Marc had to actually carry him for about a mile.”
    “Whoa! He’s a big dog. I hope he’ll be all right—Max, that is.”
    “I think so. Marc was able to find a vet to stitch him up.”
    “Did they find whoever was lost?”
    “One was found and taken to Tucson. The other boy is still missing.”
    “Any names? Are they local?”
    “Marc didn’t tell me the name of the teenager they found, but the one still missing is Ricky Fuentes.”
    Amanda’s face blanched, and she swallowed hard.
    “What’s the matter?” Gracie asked.
    “You’re sure it’s Ricky Fuentes?”
    “Yes. Why?”
    “He’s Manny’s foster kid.”

CHAPTER 3
     
     
    Gracie settled herself in the courtyard to watch black-chinned and rufous hummingbirds dive-bomb each other, while Marc made a series of phone calls about the missing teenager’s connection to the late Manny. Plenty of officers appeared to be working on the case at this point. Marc’s inability to stand down and relax was becoming more than a little aggravating. Marc flashed a smile at Gracie when a copper and green colored rufous buzzed past his head.
    “Those little things are aggressive,” he commented, laying the phone on the table.
    “Did they find that kid?” Gracie asked.
    “No sign of him yet. If he’s hurt, it won’t be good to be out on the mountain all night.”
    Gracie shivered, thinking of the wildlife that might be interested in an injured teen. “Let’s hope they find him before dark.”
    “Yeah,” Marc responded absently. His eyes were not on her but directed at the splashing fountain. “There’s an all-out manhunt for him now. He probably stole the victim’s vehicle. Those boys may be involved with his death.”
    “That’s terrible. Too bad no one heard anything along the trail this morning. We didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary when we were hiking. Neither did anybody else. At least that’s what they said.”
    Her stomach growled, reminding her that Italian cuisine had been promised. She wondered if he was ever going to suggest that they get some dinner.
    As if on cue, Marc turned back to her, with blue eyes twinkling and a smile that made her feel like a melting frozen custard in a waffle cone. “Are you ready to go eat?”
    “Absolutely,” she replied. “Lead the way.”
    ***
    They found seats on the back patio of the restaurant that afforded unobstructed views of the mountains. Mesmerized by the pinks and oranges that streaked the western sky, she missed the server’s question the first time.
    “Gracie? Do you want something other than water to drink?” Marc asked.
    “Oh. Sorry. I’ll try an Italian soda—raspberry.” She focused her attention on the menu and placed her order.
    Marc leaned forward and took