“Why, I saw Jamie late yesterday afternoon,” she replied, thinking hard. “He ran off after a car was broken into.”
“Did Jamie—say anything? About running away, that is?”
“Why, yes he did. But I don’t think he meant it.”
“He meant it,” the lifeguard replied. “Jamie never came home at all last night. I got in late myself and didn’t look in his bed until this morning when it was time to call him to get up. The bed wasn’t slept in.”
Vevi was shocked to hear that Jamie actually had carried out his threat. Mr. Curry, she thought, had never shown much interest in his son.
“My mother always tucks me into bed at night. That is, when I’m home,” she said. “Don’t you even say good night to Jamie before you go to sleep?”
“Jamie’s too old to be tucked into bed,” answered the guard. “I’m not worried that he won’t come back in a day or so. The thing is, I’d intended to leave town and take him with me. Now I’m in a spot.”
Mr. Curry seemed to be thinking aloud, scarcely aware of Vevi’s presence. In a moment he started on down the beach.
“If you see Jamie anywhere, let me know,” he flung over his shoulder.
By the time Vevi reached Starfish Cottage all the lunch baskets had been packed. The Brownies were in the yard, impatiently waiting.