Page 27

In my defense, using the roller rink as cover to slip away had been handy because it was within walking distance from my mom’s apartment, it really was teen night—which meant we’d have a lot of cover—and the building had multiple exits. Plus, we’d easily spot any adult that dared to enter the building.

The downside, however, was that a roller rink required skating and a lot of people, two things I usually didn’t do. But Frankie said she’d skated before and she’d show me how. She insisted it was easy and I’d have no trouble. I pretended to agree, having no intention of actually strapping on skates. Seriously, who went to a roller rink these days, anyway?

We headed out on foot for the roller rink around nine. It took us about three minutes to spot our tails, a guy in dark jeans and a dark coat who followed us at a discreet distance on foot, and a sedan that passed three times in a span of ten minutes.

“One on foot and at least one in a car,” I murmured to Frankie. “They’re either terrible at surveillance or think we’re completely clueless.”

Frankie linked arms with me and smiled. “Both, which work in our favor.”

“Is your cell turned off?” I asked.

“For the millionth time, yes. And it will stay off for the duration of this operation.”

“Good.”

We arrived at SkateLand and were surprised there was a line to get into the rink.

“What are all these people doing here?” I complained, pulling my coat tighter around my neck. It was freezing. “I didn’t even know skating was a thing.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Frankie shook her head, clearly disappointed by my lack of social knowledge. “I went to the skating rink every day after I got my Rollerblades when I was eleven years old.”

I looked at her doubtfully. Surely, she was joking. Frankie on Rollerblades? She never ceased to surprise me. “Really?” Then I thought back to her speed driving and wondered if she had certain enthusiasm for putting her body in harm’s way that I’d underestimated.

“Really. Why is that such a surprise? I promise, you’ll like it.”

I wouldn’t, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I didn’t argue. Instead, I looked over my shoulder and then lowered my voice. “You understand I’m not actually going to skate, right?”

She shrugged. “We’ll see.”

I didn’t like how that sounded, but I didn’t want to argue and draw any attention. The minute we’d got in line at the rink, the guy following us had disappeared. I wasn’t sure if that were a good or bad thing.

When it was finally our turn to enter, we paid the entry fee and walked inside. Music blared from speakers placed all around the rink, and a huge old-fashioned disco ball spun, casting spots of light across the darkened rink. The scents of popcorn, hot dogs, and French fries mingled with vague wafts of adolescent hormones. Above the entrance to the rink, a black sign read, Skate at Your Own Risk.

That sounded ominous in so many ways.

Surrounding the rink were lockers, a snack bar, a skate rental station, and several hard benches where you could presumably sit and rest. Dozens of overexuberant teenagers wobbled past us on skates, chatting, holding hands to support each other, and laughing.

I immediately wanted to leave.

“I’m not sure this was a good idea after all,” I said to Frankie, except when I turned around, I didn’t see her. After a moment of searching, I spotted her at the skate rental counter.

“Frankie,” I called out, rushing over to her. “What are you doing?”

“Renting skates,” she said, handing over a twenty-dollar bill to the girl behind the counter. “You wear size five, right?”

“I’mnotwearing skates,” I protested. “I’m a first-class klutz on feet. Putting me in skates would be neither pretty nor safe.”

“We have to keep this authentic, right?” Frankie said, collecting her change and handing me a pair of skates.

“Yes, but who cares? We’re inside.”

“Don’t argue, just take them.” After a moment, I reluctantly took them, following her to one of the stone benches. She sat down, took off her shoes, and started unlacing the skates.

“Frankie, no one is going to see us in here.”

“Sure about that?” She gave a slight nod to the right of the café. There were a few tables shrouded in shadows. A man sat alone at one of them, his face indistinguishable in the dim light.

My heart started beating fast as I quickly looked away. “Are you kidding me? He actually came inside?”