The doors open, and Bushy Sideburns gives us a wry smile like we just spent the last thirteen minutes making out on the Ferris wheel.

Cullen steps out looking annoyed by Richard’s presence.

I exit next, leaving the phone concealed from view. It will take another ride around the Ferris wheel until someone turns it in or steals it. Either way, it’s not linked to me.

Richard wears designer aviators. Like he’s trying too hard. “On behalf of the mayor and myself, I’d like to extend our condolences about the atrocity that happened to your friend.”

During the few times Richard and I have interacted, he’s seemed genuine in his concern. This time, there’s no sincerity behind his words.

Chills zip down my arms and legs. Richard’s hand grazes the small of my back, making me cringe as he escorts me off the platform. Cullen follows behind. He pulls out his phone and scrolls through it, the Ferris wheel turning in the background.

“We’re all hoping you can join Cullen next week. The event is certain to alleviate the stress you’ve been under.”

I look at Cullen absorbed in his cell and realize for the first time where this is coming from. This is the mayor’s idea, not Cullen’s.

I didn’t expect this coming from Richard, though I’m not sure why. He is, after all, the mayor’s henchman.

Anger begins to gurgle deep in the recesses of my gut. Is this the mayor’s way of torturing me? “I’m surprised the mayor is going. I thought he was against the Save the Parks campaign.”

Richard smiles. His tie flaps in the wind. He smooths it down with his lanky fingers. “You more than anyone else can probably understand and appreciate the need to unite our city right now. The mayor loves Chicago’s parks as much as anyone else.”

There’s a smoothness to Richard I’ve never seen before.

“He bulldozes them to put up million-dollar mansions. Like his.”

Richard’s hand drops from my back. He stands in front of me. For once, he’s not hunched over. He stands tall on his skinny frog legs, revealing his height. “Selling off a few lakefront properties created revenue for the city, which has allowed him to improve neighborhood parks. He created government-funded scholarships for kids to attend the Park District’s summer camps for free. The mayor fully supports park preservation.”

I straighten my shoulders, extending my small frame. “When it doesn’t cost him millions preserving it.”

Richard chuckles. His laugh slides under my skin.

“Your presence with Cullen could help revive this city. Our unified stand of support will show the city that we’re all on the same team.”

“And what team is that?” They can’t actually expect me to stand beside the mayor after what he did to my father, to Adam. They’re deranged.