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“Yes. Why? What did you think I was doing?”

“You said you wouldn’t rat me out to the media, but for all I know—”

“I meant what I said, dumbass. But I did tell him about the paintings, because he’s got access to research options I don’t. ”

He laughed, a half-dismal little cough of mirth. “I get it. You’re not above using him to do your legwork. ”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Take it however you like it. I don’t give a shit. Thanks for the heads-up, though. I’ll go check the place out before Ned Nickerson over there gets his paws on it. ”

With that, he dropped his board to the ground and took off down the sidewalk. I should’ve known more than to expect any gratitude, but it still annoyed me.

I went back inside and Nick was waiting with a refill. “What was that about?”

“Nothing important. I had a message for him, that’s all. ”

“He looks . . . charming. ”

“You are . . . lying,” I said, imitating his joking tone. “He’s a right bastard, but I owe him a favor. Sort of. ”

“Long story?”

“Long story. Wouldn’t fit into a three-minute piece, I assure you. But hey, stupid question,” I warned. “Do you know who Ned Nickerson is?”

He scrunched his forehead, then brightened. “Nancy Drew’s boyfriend, I think. Not that I ever read them; I was a Hardy Boys man all the way. But my sister couldn’t get enough of them. Why do you ask?”

“No reason. It’s just a name that came up in passing. I thought it sounded familiar but couldn’t place it. You know. ”

“Sure,” he said, but it didn’t sound like he believed me.

11

Seeing and Knowing

It rained again the next day and the river was up, which is how it goes. With bad weather comes a higher river, fewer people downtown, nastier roads, and construction breaks, so the North Shore Apartments would have to wait for repairs and completion.

Rainy days always make me restless anyway; I turn into a little kid again, wanting to go outside and feeling thwarted.

My mood wasn’t helped by the fact that I was on borrowed time at Lu and Dave’s. They knew I was leaving. I knew I was leaving. I was all packed and prepared to leave. We’d made our peace with it, but for one reason after another I couldn’t actually get the hell out.

It really was time, I knew. A lot of my friends still lived at home, but even with guardians as laid-back as my aunt and uncle, past twenty-five a girl tends to want her own space. And once everything had been arranged but delayed, my impatience was killing me.

I was itching for an excuse to leave the house when Harry called and gave me an even better reason to want to flee.

“You ready?” he asked, as if I could possibly tell him “Yes. ”

“Ready as I’ll ever be. What’s your ETA?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. Does that work for you?” In the background I could hear Malachi jabbering happily.

“Tomorrow afternoon. In time for supper?”

“In time for supper,” he confirmed. “How do you want to do this?”

“Preferably? In body armor. But failing Kevlar, how about you two show up here at the house around six. I’ll sit down with the ‘rents and warn them. I’ve been putting this off long enough. I think it’s time to have that little chat, whether I like it or not. ”

“I don’t envy you. Be gentle with them. ”