Page 183 of Ice Mechanic

“I have to go.”

“Yes, you will go. Just give me a second.” She wipes her hands against the sides of her pants and yells, “Earl!”

“Yeah!” A head pokes out from the kitchen window.

“Call Steph and the others. Anyone who isn’t on duty right now. April’s dad is missing. He’s got dementia, so it’s a potentially dangerous situation. The faster we can find him, the better. Text the group chat too. Tell ‘em to keep an eye out.”

“On it!”

Earl’s head disappears.

One of the regulars, Tom—a retired pilot who offers flight trainings on his downtime—runs up to us.

“Did I hear that right, April? Your dad is missing?”

“That’s right, Tom. I’m going to drive April to the nursing home.”

“I’ll be on standby, Mauve. If you need eyes in the sky, I can fire up the rig.”

Tears fill my eyes at the offer. “Thank you.”

“Thank you.” Mauve dips her chin and leads me out into the sunshine.

Behind me, I hear a thunderous boom of footsteps. I look over my shoulder and spot half the patrons of The Tipsy Tuna pouring through the doors and heading for their cars.

As they pass me by, they call out encouraging words.

“We’re gonna find him, April.”

“Don’t worry about a thing.”

“It’ll be alright.”

My bottom lip trembles and I’m overwhelmed by gratitude. Seeing everyone rally around me and dad gives me courage.

I take a deep breath, settle my emotions and stop Mauve when she tries to slip in the driver’s seat. “It’s alright. I can drive there myself.”

“Are you sure?” She eyes me up and down.

“Dad might wander over here.”

“Earl and the rest will be here.”

“Yeah, but he won’t remember them like he’ll remember you.”

She nods slowly. “Call me if you find him.”

“I will.” I start the car and look out through the window. “Thank you again, Mauve.”

“Go. Drive safe.”

On the way to the nursing home, I call Rebel who immediately announces that she’s locking up the shop and heading out to join the search.

Dad has no idea that I own a garage now and I doubt he’ll show up there, so I reluctantly agree.

Next, I call Stewart Kinsey.

Although it kills me to have to ask that man for any favor, his garage is where dad spent most of his life. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear that dad somehow found his way there.

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