Page 116 of High Society

Salvador: She’ll keep seeing us individually.

Baljit: Without ketamine? Thanks, but no thanks.

Simon finds it hard to imagine what his life will be like without Dr. Danvers or the tribe in it, but he’s too proud to share that with the others.

Salvador: Dr. Danvers is still fixated on the night JJ died.

Reese joins the chat.

Reese: Fixated how?

Salvador: After I told her JJ and I exchanged a couple texts that evening, Dr. Danvers wanted me to spill on everything and everyone.

Baljit: What’s left to spill?

Salvador: She asked me about some kind of run-in JJ had with another doctor.

Simon: What doctor?

Salvador: Lang or something?

The text chain goes quiet for a moment. Then another message pops up.

Salvador: Reese, remember how you were supposed to meet JJ that night?

There are a few flashing dots on the screen as Reese types her response. Then a pause. Finally, her text appears.

Reese: Don’t remind me.

Salvador: Dr. D seemed weirdly focused on that, too.

Reese: I wish I hadn’t canceled on JJ. Everything might be so different now.

The conversation goes quiet again. Simon can think of nothing else to add. The whole thing has the death throes vibe of a text chat between people after a breakup.

Simon drags himself out of bed and heads to the kitchen to brew an espresso. The second shot has just dripped into his cup when his phone sounds again, indicating the video doorbell on the gate. Opening the app, he recognizes Detective Rivers at the gate. “Come in,” Simon says, buzzing him in remotely.

The detective refuses Simon’s offer of a coffee, and they sit down across from each other in the velvet chairs. Rivers crosses one leg over the other, and Simon can’t help but admire the slim cut of his suit. He can barely remember the time when he was that lean, though he has the photos to prove he once was.

“Thanks for seeing me again, Mr. Lowry.”

“It’s Simon.” But he doesn’t add the well-worn line he has used for decades: “Mr. Lowry would’ve been my dad, if I’d had one.” Fuck, I’m old.

“I need your help, Simon.”

“My help? How?”

“I’m hoping you can clarify a couple things regarding Ms. Jang and Dr. Koskinen.”

Simon immediately feels on edge, though he’s not exactly sure why. “Clarify?”

The detective’s grin is benign. “For starters, were both of them in your group therapy? With Dr. Danvers?”

Simon hesitates, still feeling protective of the tribe’s privacy.

“Dr. Koskinen hasn’t been seen in four days, Simon.” Rivers uncrosses his legs. “The clock is ticking. I’m hoping you might help me find her.”

“They were in my group, yes.”