A beer bottle smashed against the concrete four feet away, and the car jerked back into the right lane, drove past. Inside the car, five college kids, all women, laughing their asses off.

Caitlin grabbed her phone, ordered a ride, and watched the dot on the map move until a car pulled up to take her home.

Chapter 23

CHAPTER

23

CAITLIN FOUND SCOTT Canton’s office on the sixth floor of the Ballentine building. Lit by morning sunshine, the man sat behind a computer monitor next to a two-foot-tall statue of a smiling Buddha.

She knocked on the open door. “Who’s tunneling now?”

He stood with a smile and straightened his rumpled cardigan. “How long were you standing there?”

She claimed the chair near his desk. “You looked deep in thought. Need me to sit quietly?”

“The phrase will reveal itself in time. I am merely the vessel.”

“Bull. The computer’s the vessel, you’re the captain.”

“Still, I’m on a sightseeing trip. Lock us up and I’ll show you a trick.”

“Why, Professor,” she said, reaching back to lock the door. “You’re not allowed to say things like that to students anymore.”

“Sit down, smart ass.”

He opened the window, then sat back at his desk and rubbed the Buddha. A drawer in the tummy slid open. He pulled out a plastic bag full of joints and put one between his lips, then pushed the statue’s bald head. Buddha spit fire.

“Is that—”

“A fire-breathing Buddha?” Scott took a puff from the lit jay. “You know it. Now let’s talk about your troubles, Caitlin.”

She brushed her hair back, glanced out the window. “What troubles?”

He smiled politely, handed over the joint. “I have a horrible talent. I can tell the difference between people who like to get high and people who need to get high. I fear you fall into the latter. Plus, you’re wearing the same clothes as the last time I saw you.”

Caitlin took a hit and mulled over the offer. She wasn’t ready to talk to Mary, but she needed to do something, if only to be able to walk the campus at night. Canton was a neutral party with free weed. She let a few words escape with the smoke. “I might be having panic attacks.”

Scott’s eyebrows went up. “Might be?”

Caitlin closed her eyes, then shook her head yes. “I am.”

“Good.”

She opened her eyes again, saw him nodding. “Good?”

“Your body’s way of telling you you’re under attack. How does he come after you?”

“He?”