Lost and Found

By Stacy Claflin

​​Some secrets should stay buried…

 

Twenty years ago, Clara's best friend was brutally murdered. And the killer remains free. Each year on the anniversary of her death, something bad happens to Clara or someone she loves.

 

She's convinced the day itself is cursed.

 

This year is the worst one yet — her husband Shane is arrested for the killing. Not only that, but the arrest reveals a teenage daughter he never told Clara about. And the girl's mother is accused of the crime along with Shane.

 

Clara takes in her rebellious stepdaughter while trying to find proof of Shane's innocence. She relies on old and new allies for help, but when the teen disappears, everyone looks suspect. Including Clara.  Not even she realizes just how much danger they are all in.

 

Can Clara find the real murderer before he finds her?

Lost and Found is a new stand-alone thriller by USA Today bestselling author Stacy Claflin. If you like heart-pounding tension, page-turning suspense, and twist and turns that you never saw coming, then you'll love Stacy Claflin's Lost and Found.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sterling & Stone
• Release date: Dec 17, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201005856

Stacy Claflin

Stacy Claflin is a two-time USA Today bestselling author who writes about flawed characters that overcome unsurmountable odds. No matter how dark situations seem, there is always a sliver of hope--even if you have to search far and wide to find it. That message is weaved throughout all of her stories. Decades after she wrote her first tales on construction paper and years after typing on an inherited green screen computer, Stacy realized her dream of becoming a full-time bestselling author.  When she's not busy writing or educating her kids from home, Stacy enjoys time in nature, reading, and watching a wide variety of shows in many genres. Her favorite pastime activity is spending time with her family. Join Stacy's newsletter to get three free novels: https://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter/

Book preview

ONE

Clara

Most people hate April fifteenth — Tax Day.

I hate April fifth.

Worst day of the year, hands down.

It’s cursed, and I can’t escape it.

Today’s the third. I’ve already thrown up.

But I have to keep going. Can’t lock myself away from the world. Not when people need me.

I stare at my mostly full martini glass while Midori and Latasha chat excitedly over me on the other two bar stools around the table. Although I’m here, I’m not really with my best friends. My mind is on Sunday.

The fifth.

Latasha waves for the waitress before turning to me, her eyes full of concern. Why are you so quiet today? What’s the matter?

Time for a subject change.

Did you guys hear about the new Noah Perry movie? I ask. It takes place in a beach town, so people are saying his shirt will be off half the time. We’ve got to see that.

Obviously. But that isn’t why you’re quiet. Spill it.

What’s not to love about shirtless Noah Perry? I silently beg her to take the bait.

Latasha taps her nails on the counter.

I look away. Need to think of a better excuse to distract them — and more importantly, me — from the truth. It’s the last thing I want to talk about. Better if I can stop thinking about it.

Sure can’t avoid the fifth.

I’m saved by the waitress. She takes the new drink orders from my friends. I hold up my still half-full glass.

Midori squeezes my shoulder. What’s weighing you down, sweetie?

Can you believe it’s supposed to be eighty this weekend? I try to sound excited. Spring just began. I think we’re in for a crazy hot summer. This is going to be great. We can go to the beach for six months straight.

She gives me a knowing look. What’s bothering you, Clara?

I look around the busy Mexican restaurant for something to spark an idea. Pick at the remnants of my lunch.

Nothing.

Well? Midori lifts her brows.

I release a long drawn-out breath, lean back, and study my drink again. It’s almost April fifth.

Tax Day, right? Midori asks. That always stresses out Deshi. He refuses to hire an accountant, despite us running two small businesses. He says the computer program is good enough. Then he spends an entire day swearing at it.

Latasha nudges her. It’s her cursed day.

Midori covers her mouth. I forgot all about that. But nothing’s happened in the last year or two, right?

I twist my glass in a circle, watching the liquid slosh around inside the glass, trying to think of some way to change the subject.

If nothing bad has happened in so long, maybe the superstitious day is done with you.

It isn’t a superstition. Not when something tragic or traumatic happens on that date every year, almost without fail.

Latasha pats my back. "Not all years."

"More often than not. But when something horrific does happen in my life, it’s on April fifth. There’s no arguing that." I don’t feel like getting into the fact that the longer it goes without a serious event, the worse it is. That means this year is going to be especially bad.

Latasha’s brows draw together. You know what I think?

I don’t bother answering.

Your bad luck streak is over. This year will prove it when nothing bad happens.

Yeah, Midori agrees. Isn’t Shane taking you to a spa resort this weekend? What could go wrong there?

Doesn’t have to be there. The kids will be with Elaine and Robert, and I won’t be there to protect them. Anything could go wrong with Shane and me. Our house could burn down. We could be in a car accident, or—

Stop. Latasha’s shakes her head. You need to focus on the positive. Nobody’s getting in a wreck, nothing’s catching on fire, nobody’s drowning, or anything else you can come up with. Your gorgeous, rich husband is taking you to a spa resort this weekend. Just focus on the good and everything will be fine. I promise.

I’d believe you if on April fifth, my best friend didn’t get murdered, my dad and grandma hadn’t died, my dog wasn’t poisoned, my house hadn’t burned down, I didn’t get fired from my dream job, didn’t get cheated on, and more. Do you want me to go on?

Color drains from Midori’s face. I’m so sorry.

Latasha offers a sympathetic smile. "But now it’s just another day. Maybe you could make the day your own personal Memorial Day instead. Visit the cemetery, look at old pictures, that sort of thing. It could be healing instead of traumatic."

Maybe. I pick at a nail.

Then it’s settled. We’ll make it into a great day, and you’ll turn a new leaf.

That isn’t the way it works. It doesn’t matter what I do, I’ve tried everything to stop horrible things from happening. But nothing ever works. The day is cursed, or I am. Or both.

They share a look, but neither has a chance to speak because the waitress returns with their drinks. She asks if I want anything now.

I don’t. Only to be on the other side of April fifth with all my loved ones in one piece.

Then I’ll be happy. At least until next year.

Midori looks deep in thought. If nothing bad happens this year, do you promise to let go of this notion? It isn’t healthy to obsess like you do.

I sip my drink and try to imagine a life without April fifth destroying me. I can’t. Sure, it happens occasionally, and in this case the last two straight years, but that only means something bigger is coming.

That much is sure.

Have you visited your dad’s or your friend’s graves recently?

No.

Then it’s settled. After you check out of the spa, we’ll meet up for some wine and appetizers at that quiet French restaurant. Then we’ll head over to the cemetery — or you can go alone if you prefer.

I shrug.

No? Midori asks.

Would you rather do all that with Shane instead? Latasha asks. You won’t hurt our feelings if you do. Just do that for yourself.

I don’t want to think about it anymore. I stand so fast my stool wobbles. Excuse me.

Latasha starts to say something.

I rush to the bathroom and hide in a stall to avoid a group of girls gathered around the mirror. Once they leave, I stand at a sink and take in my reflection.

On the outside, I’m polished without a displaced hair or smudged lipstick. The only clues are my slightly paler skin and the lost look in my eyes, which is fooling everyone other than my friends and Shane.

The door creaks open, and a mom and daughter come inside laughing.

I hurry to leave. Hopefully by the time I return to the bar, my friends will have moved onto another topic of conversation.

Halfway to the bar, someone says my name.

I spin to the right. Jackson Wayman and Zack Collins wave at me. They both lived on my street growing up, and we all went to school together.

It takes me a moment to find my bearings. Jackson, Zack. How are you?

Jackson gives me a bright smile. It’s like a class reunion. Have a seat.

I glance over at my friends, laughing about something. I should get back to my friends.

Are they Bernhardt grads, too? Zack looks over.

Yeah, and all of our kids go there now.

Crazy that we’re all parents now.

Or old enough to be one, Jackson says. Though he’s good-looking and charismatic, he never married, much less had kids. With as quickly as he’s moved up the ranks in the local police force, his work is his only spouse.

Time flies. See you guys around. I wave and hurry back to my friends.

Feel better? Midori asks.

I collapse onto the stool and finish my martini. Let’s plan on watching the movie next weekend.

That doesn’t answer my question.

I wave over the waitress and point to my empty glass.

She gives me a thumbs-up.

"Let’s talk about this weekend."

Nope. I try to get a little more from my drink. Did you hear the fifth-grade teacher is leaving Bernhardt? I, for one, couldn’t be happier. He’s a jerk, and I’ve been dreading the day Freya and Kaden have to deal with him. Now they won’t.

Latasha runs her fingers through her hair. That’s four years away for Freya, and longer for Kaden.

Finally, a change in topic that worked. Doesn’t mean I don’t think about these things. We put so much money into the school, we shouldn’t have to worry about things like rude teachers.

It’s part of life. We all dealt with bad teachers as kids, and we survived. Our kids will do the same. It’ll make them stronger, just like us. Can’t shelter them and expect them to be able to thrive in the real world.

"I’m not sheltering them."

My friends exchange a look.

Tell us about the spa resort, Midori says. I’ve been curious about that one since it opened. They’re so exclusive.

I tell them what little I know since Shane was the one to book our stay. Somehow I relax a little as I think about a weekend of pampering. Not only that, but I’ll have Shane’s full attention for two days.

What a rare treat that will be.

Unless something devastating happens.

Just two days away.

TWO

Clara

The masseuse steals her hands from my back. You can rest here for a few more minutes until you’re ready to get up.

Physically I feel amazing, but I’m no less stressed.

It’s April fifth.

I turn and glance at Shane. His muscular arms hang loosely from the table as his massage continues.

Wish I could let go like that. Probably could if this was any other day.

Something horrible is going to happen within twelve hours. Our massages end at noon.

We’re halfway through the day.

Once Shane’s treatment is done, I’ll have to feign happiness. He booked this getaway weekend for me. Because of the cost of the hotel, most people only book one night. The least I can do is try to appreciate the weekend. And that’s what I’ve been doing.

I managed to keep a smile on my face as we packed up our room at checkout time. I’ll keep doing the same until we leave. We get to stay and enjoy everything the hotel offers until this evening without returning to the suite.

I sit up as Shane’s masseuse walks away. My muscles do feel better. I’ll focus on that when Shane asks, and definitely won’t tell him I spent the whole time worrying.

He doesn’t budge for a whole minute, so I climb off the table and wander over to a wall of plants. Breathe in the fragrant aromas.

This place really is a paradise. I wish I could enjoy it. But not even this is going to get my mind off the inevitable.

I wish I knew what was coming. It would be easier to prepare.

Hands brush against my bare shoulders.

How are you feeling? Shane’s warm breath tickles my ear.

Like a ragdoll.

Perfect. He kisses my cheek. I knew this retreat was exactly what we needed.

Not trusting my voice, I simply nod.

Want to go to the sauna? he asks. Or a hot tub?

The only thing I want is to get to the morning and find that I’ve been proven wrong. Eating humble pie would be the real luxury. Nothing would be better than hearing him and my friends say a hearty I told you so.

But I know that won’t happen. Not this year.

Too hard to choose? Shane asks.

You pick. This weekend isn’t only about me.

He trails kisses down my neck. The sauna. We spent hours in our room’s hot tub last night.

Sounds great. I thread my fingers through his and force a bright smile.

The sauna has three other people already, but they all have their eyes closed. Nobody glances our way.

Shane helps me sit at a spot far from the others and wraps an arm around me. Do you want lunch after this?

Sure.

Not hungry yet?

I haven’t had an appetite all weekend, so I shrug.

He leans back, and I pretend to relax too. My mind won’t allow me to enjoy the moment — Is one of my children choking as we selfishly sit here? Could one of my friends have gotten into an accident and is in a coma? Has the house caught fire? Did my sister Jenny self-injure again?

Anything is possible today. Nothing too wild to believe.

Why do you refuse to relax? Shane frowns.

"I am relaxed."

Sure you are.

I lean against him so he can’t analyze my expression, and I relax my muscles. Should’ve known better than to allow my mind to wander. He can read me like a book.

Of course he’d notice me tense up, even when I didn’t realize it myself.

See? I say. Totally at ease.

He sighs.

Guilt stings, but he knows my concerns aren’t unfounded. I’m not superstitious.

Having to act like I’m not anxious only makes it worse. My mind is running like an out-of-control train flying off the tracks down a mountain. It won’t stop until I find out what the bad news is.

Has it happened already, or is it still waiting?

Totally at ease, huh? He scoots away from me.

I can feel his gaze boring into me.

You don’t think I am? I slide down the seat a little to show him I’m relaxed.

I’m the last person you can fool. When you think I can’t see through you, I can. That’s what ten years of marriage brings.

Reluctantly, I open my eyes.

He isn’t giving me the scowling, judgmental expression I expect. Instead, his eyes are filled with sadness. Why won’t you trust me?

What does trust have to do with anything?

Two of the other people glance at us.

Sorry, I say to them and turn to Shane. We should get lunch.

He gives a slight nod.

Neither of us speaks as we make our way to the changing rooms.

Icy water pours down from the shower. Tears threaten, but I fight them. Then I realize how stupid that is. Now is my chance to give into my emotions. Besides, after a good cry, I’ll be able to continue my performance with Shane and we won’t end our weekend on a sour note.

My tears stream down so hard I shake. Horrible memories flood my mind. Finding out about my dad’s accident. Heather’s murder. My dog’s poisoning. Getting fired from my dream job. Grandma’s suspicious death. The house fire, although it wasn’t as dramatic as it sounds. Mom, my sister, and I hadn’t yet moved in. Only a few things were in the house when the fire ravaged it. Nobody was hurt. We were able to keep our other house, though I can’t remember the details. I was too young at the time to make sense of it all.

Nothing bad has happened to Mom in a long time. Maybe this year will be about her. The alcoholism could finally be the end of her. It’s only a matter of time. Makes sense that it would happen on my cursed day.

I hate all these what-ifs. I’d rather the actual event happen and be done. Then I can deal with it. Move on. Try to heal.

Clara? A woman’s voice brings me back to the present.

Yes? I turn off my shower and reach