Page 162 of The Broken Note

I grit my teeth at the thought of Cadey spending day after day here. She deserves only the finest things—bright lights, diamonds, utter adoration.

“In there.” My guide points into a cramped classroom filled with so many students I wonder if it’s legal to keep that many people in one room. On a weathered chair all the way at the back—similar to where Cadey likes to sit at Redwood—is Vi.

I stalk forward, ready to throw the door open and interrupt the class.

“You can’t do that,” my guide says, snatching my wrist.

I glare at her.

She drops her hand. “Wait a sec.”

The kid creeps to the window and waves to get Vi’s attention. She then points to me and Viola’s eyes bug.

“Miss Hendricks,” Vi raises her hand, “can I use the bathroom?”

“Make it quick.”

“Thank you.” I slip my guide a hundred dollar bill.

She gives me a big smile and hurries off.

Vi shuffles out of the classroom and motions for me to follow her.

I grit my teeth. I want answersnow.

But I keep my composure and trail the thirteen-year-old to a quiet hallway.

She tilts her head up to me, eyes so much like Cadey’s that it makes my heart ache. “I know why you’re here. But I don’t have any answers.”

The foreboding feeling gets stronger. “What do you know?”

“I woke up this morning. There was breakfast on the stove and a note telling me she loved me and to behave when I get to Shanae’s house. I was confused, so I went to Cadey’s room and it was cleared out.”

Pain strikes my heart like the lash of a thorny whip.

My heart picks up speed.

“Did you call her?”

“Right away. I asked where she was and what was going on. Cadey didn’t say anything to me at all. She just told me that she’d talked to Shanae’s mom and I’d be staying at Shanae’s house for a while.” Vi chews on her bottom lip. “She said not to tell anyone mom was alive and…”

“And?”

Vi chews on her bright pink bottom lip. “Cadey also said not to tell you anything.”

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying hard not to punch a hole through the cheap plastered walls. This school already looks beaten-down enough.

“You disobeyed her,” I note.

“Because I know you love my sister and I know the only time she’s ever loosened up and depended on someone else was with you. She’s not used to being the weak one, but Cadey deserves to have that. She deserves a place where she can be fragile and taken care of.”

My heart clamors to my throat. I step closer to Cadey’s little sister. “If she calls you again, let me know.”

Vi doesn’t inch back. She knows me well enough to know that I’m upset, but I wouldn’t hurt her. I wouldn’t hurt any of the people Cadey loves.

Nodding, she says, “I will.”

I let out a deep breath and muster up a slightly less angry expression. “Go back to class now. If you have any problems, tell your principal to call me.”