Phantom by Christopher Pike

was seen entering your house. Also, this same neighbor believes she saw Eric’s car parked out in front of your house on the day he disappeared.” “So you’re not just canvassing the neighborhood. You’ve come here specifically to see me?” I gesture to Eric’s picture. “I’ve never seen this guy in my life.” Williams is grave. “We also have a description from two guys that Eric was playing basketball with on the day he disappeared. They say he left Scott Park in the company of a young woman who matches your description.” I raise my hand, palm out. “Hold on! You do not have my description. I don’t even know where Scott Park is. What exactly did these guys say?” Williams consults notes jotted on a piece of folded paper. “That he left the park in the company of a beautiful blond girl approximately eighteen to twenty-one. Her hair was long, like yours.” I’m not impressed. “There are literally tens of thousands of cute blond girls with long hair in Southern California.” “That is true ma’am,” Williams says. “You’re just a lead we’re checking out.” He pauses. “Did you have a guest with a blue Honda Civic park in your driveway three weeks ago?” “I can’t remember. Lots of friends drop by. They have all kinds of cars.” “Do you have a friend who looks like Eric?” Williams asks. “Someone your neighbor might have mistakenly identified as Eric.” I shrug. “I have a couple of friends who resemble him superficially.” Williams glances in the backyard. Kalika was no longer there. “Would you mind if w