Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

Pearl was taken aback; he really meant to be and act like her father. "Okay," she relented.

Half an hour later, Pearl and Santiago made it to Jesselton Manor. The front doors were shut tight, almost as if they knew Pearl was coming and didn't want to let her in.

Pearl remembered there was a hidden way in, a secret passage she knew about, thanks to Howard.

After a quick chat, Santiago agreed to stay by the doors while Pearl would sneak in through the secret way. Santiago was worried about her going alone but Pearl insisted, and he finally agreed to let her go. Pearl walked around the perimeter until she reached the west side. There, she noticed a stone in the wall that looked odd because it was a different color than the others. It seemed new. With a bit of effort, she moved the stone and found the secret passage.

Taking a deep breath, Pearl stepped into the passage. It was dark and seemed to go on forever, but eventually, she saw light ahead.

"You took your time getting here," said a voice as she emerged into the light.

It was Howard, standing not too far away. Pearl, with a hint of anger in her voice, demanded, "Where did you take my mom?"

Howard laughed, trying to lighten the mood, but Pearl was not in the mood for games. She was convinced Howard had something to do with Saule's disappearance, especially after remembering some scary details from before.

"You finally came, so why start with such a serious topic?"

Pearl was very sure Saule was taken by Howard. Remembering the blood on the floor, her heart skipped a beat.

FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

sad. "You're as blunt as

moved quickly, and before Howard knew it, she had a knife pressed against his

reckless. You'll never

Pearl

but

a

you,

or

"I'm not going to hurt t you better tell me

usually not one to take matters into her own hands, but this was different. Her mom was in

in and nodded toward a nearby shed. "Okay, I'll stop teasing

sheathed her knife

her eyes fixed on Howard. "Don't think I'll just let it slide if you're

warned him.

fingers, looking amused. "I have no

her doubts, Pearl was determined to check