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I text Dad on my new phone, which I got for my twelfth birthday last week.

Vivian:Miss you,Ba!

Daddy:Ditto.

Daddy:Gotta go, pumpkin. Giving a speech in 10 mins. Be good.

Vivian:Okay. Love you.

Daddy:Love you too.

I can’t wait to return to California. Daddy is taking me fishing at the lake. We found a cool nook, and I caught a bunch of trout and bass last time.

Smiling, I tuck my phone in the back pocket of my pants and look at the restaurant menu. My stomach growls when I see that the ginger lobster is gonna be served.

“Hi, Vivian!”

I glance up and smile. “Hi, Uncle Ghost.”

That’s his nickname, and I don’t know why they call him that. Maybe it’s because of his pale skin.

“You busy?” he asks.

“No.”

“Wanna see my new puppy?”

I gasp with excitement. “Where? What’s the puppy’s name?”

I’ve always wanted a puppy or a kitten, but Dad is allergic to them.

“It’s just next door to the restaurant.” He grips the chair beside me.

I see a tattoo of a clown's face on his middle finger.

He wiggles his fingers. “Clowns are cool.”

“No, they’re not. They’re ugly and scary.” I don’t know anyone who likes clowns except this weird kid in my class who’s been diagnosed with some mental disorder.

“Clowns just wear makeup. Like a silly mask.” He looks at his watch. “Dinner will start soon. Let’s go.”

I rise from my seat. “What kind of dog did you get?”

“Chow Chow mix. Can you help me name it?”

“Yes, please!” I glance toward the room where Mom is. “Should I go tell her where we’re going?”

“No. You don’t want to interrupt them. They’re having a very important meeting about money.” He takes out his phone. “I’ll send Fat Dumpling a message and ask him to inform your mom. He’s in there too.”

“Okay, thanks.” My mom is super smart and has an excellent memory. She’s probably helping Grandpa with accounting stuff right now.

I follow him out of the restaurant and into the building next door. Ghost opens the back door and lets me go in first.

He goes down a hallway and opens another door. “The puppy’s in here.”

I enter, and Ghost flicks on the lights before entering a smaller room, probably to get the puppy. I glance around the space. It’s full of weapons—guns, knives, and other scary tools I don’t want to look at. I don’t think my mom would want me here.

Something feels wrong. Why can’t I hear the puppy?