Page 17 of Lost Echoes
“Even if Kenzi isn’t hypnotized, something is wrong. We have to find the key to unlock her memories, and I think it’s in the things I found today.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “In a child’s drawings?”
“It was my experience, and hers too!” I snap. “If we’re going to fix her mind, we have to start with what ruined it.”
“She was fine until you guys decided to break into the theater.”
“It wasn’t technically breaking in considering Laurel owns the place and lured us there.” I throw him an annoyed look. “She’s the problem, and she’s the solution. If I can just talk to Kenzi about what we experienced as kids?—”
“No.”
“No?” I square my shoulders.
“While she’s in this delicate state, I’m the one responsible for making her decisions. You’ll all appreciate everything I’m doing once we’re through all of this.”
“You mean like how she appreciated your idea to move away from the mansion?”
Graham takes a step back, his eyes flashing with anger. “I’m done with this conversation.”
“You can’t let her waste away in there. She needs the rest of her family.”
“My job is to protect her—no matter who I upset. If you’re looking to talk to someone about Radley and their experiments, find Florencia Santos. She’s an investigative reporter looking into it. The woman calls our precinct daily. I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear from you.”
I bite back an annoyed retort. If I’m going to convince Graham that I’m actually trying to help Kenzi, I’m going to have to make it look like I’m taking him seriously. “Florencia Santos?”
He nods. “She’s convinced they’re up to no good, and I’m sure she’d love to speak with you considering you’re a former patient and a current employee. Perhaps you two can help each other.”
My anger is clawing at me to tell him off, but I push it down. “You’re right, that sounds like a great idea. I’ll be sure to reach out to her.”
“Great.” He gives me an obviously forced smile. “Have a good night.”
Oh, I intend to. Between digging around at work and calling a reporter looking into Radley, this might be a more productive night than I thought. It wasn’t like I expected Graham to let me see Kenzi anyway.
I’ll find a way, though. With or without his help. Perhaps this Florencia Santos person will be my key.
9
Kenzi
I’m back in Claire’s dressing room, though she’s still insisting I call her Dr. Hanson or Sofia. At least she’s good at staying in her part. She’s doing better than I do with that, though she doesn’t feel like they keep changing the lines.
I can hardly keep up with them, and right now I can’t find my copy of the script. Hopefully, I'll remember everything when I get on stage. Claire doesn’t seem concerned about that, so I guess I shouldn’t be either. But it bothers me. A lot. I pace all night trying to remember.
“Kenzi?” Her voice brings me back to the present, to the dressing room that looks more like a doctor’s office than anything else. “Did you hear my question?”
I blink a few times, trying to remember. “Which scene was it from?”
She sets down her pen and leans on her desk. “Do you mind if we go off script for a while?”
“How will that help? We need to know the lines.”
“We will, when the time comes.”
I sigh. “You still never told me how you’re alive after dying.”
“Do you remember the treatment we talked about last night?”
Claire never wants to answer the question about her death. Maybe it upsets her too much. Or maybe she doesn’t want to face the fact that she abandoned me with our parents.