Page 83

TJ
TJ is already in his pajamas when his phone rings. Vera’s name flashes on the screen. “Hey, Vera, what’s up?” he says warily. It’s almost eleven p.m., and nobody ever calls with good news after eight p.m.
“TJ, is time to step up.”
“What?”
“You come to me right now. I will send you the address. Bring Robin too.”
“Vera, it’s eleven p.m. on a school night.”
“I will tell Mr.Bun that Robin will be absent for good reason. Tilly will write letter to him. He is a lawyer, you know.”
“You’ve mentioned that. I don’t think I should—”
“TJ, you know if it’s not important, I wouldn’t ask. I will send you picture. Hold on.” There is a lot of rustling in the background, then Vera says, “Okay, check your phone.”
TJ looks at his phone screen and utters a small gasp of surprise.It’s a selfie of Vera, and there is a bandage wrapped around her head. “Vera, what happened?”
“Major assault. Bad guy come and attack me, and I think it has to do with Xander Lin, and I think Millie is in trouble. You come here now.” With that, she hangs up the phone.
TJ stares at the phone in his hand, then he looks up and sees Robin in the doorway.
“I’ll go grab my jacket,” she says, already walking toward her bedroom.
“Wait,” TJ calls out. “I don’t know about this.”
Robin levels her gaze at him. “Really, Dad? Some guy attacked Vera and you’re thinking of not going to her?”
When she puts it that way, it does sound ridiculous. “But you’ve got school tomorrow,” he says weakly.
“Apparently I’ll get a note from an attorney, so I think it’ll be okay.” She walks off and TJ sighs in defeat. Why did he even try arguing?
Less than fifteen minutes later, they arrive at what appears to be Vera’s son’s house. It is full of people who seem very excited to meet them. Robin is engulfed in hugs, and Vera introduces her immediately to Adi, who is about her age and apparently a gifted child. Before TJ can take his jacket off, Aimes and Qiang Wen arrive, and there are yet more hugs and greetings all around. TJ is sleepy and confused—is there big trouble? But if there is, why is everyone so cheerful? He lets himself be led to the dining table, where there is a plethora of snacks. Someone places what looks like a cube of Rice Krispies treats in his hand, and he takes a bite. It’s very good and has toasted sesame seeds added in, which gives it a nutty flavor. Maybe he’s dreaming, he thinks.
“Okay, everybody,” Vera calls out. “Thank you for coming to my mystery club.”
“This is a mystery club now?” Julia says.
“I will think of better name later,” Vera says. “Unless you have better idea now? Okay, I didn’t think you would. Right. We are all here to solve mystery. As you can see, one of us is missing.”
“Millie,” Aimes says.
“Correct. We have a reason to think she is in danger.” Vera fills them in on what has happened, and TJ listens with mounting horror.
“The guy literally said that to you?” Aimes says. “Stop digging? And you’re not only continuing to dig, you’re involving us in the digging?”
“Yes,” Vera says. “I thought is very obvious. Why I have to spell it out for you?”
“Vera, I can’t be involved in anything dangerous,” TJ says. “I’ve got a kid to look after.”
“I don’t mind,” Robin says.
“This is crazy,” TJ says. “We’re going.”
“TJ,” Vera says, “we need your help.”
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do here.”