As I cross the bridge, I pull out my phone and read the texts Sully sent me, the ones I couldn’t look at just now in the loft. I need to see you, he wrote. And then, I mean professionally. And also not. I don’t reply; I just keep walking. It’s a good thing I didn’t let Chase see my phone.

I’ve only been to Sully’s once—last Monday, after Eli showed up—but I remember the way. Here, trees canopy the road and the houses are solid and older. As I unlatch the front gate, Gravy watches me from the window with her handlebar ears. She barked the first time I visited, suspicious of me, I’m sure, but now she is oddly silent. I knock at the door, and it’s not long before I hear Sully’s footsteps. I can picture his body as it moves.

“Oh,” he says, holding back the dog, who lets out a low growl. “Gravy, calm down. It’s just Alex.”

“Don’t you remember me?” I try my most winning smile. She sniffs my hand, then wanders off, and I turn to Sully.

“I’m sorry to surprise you. I hope it’s all right.”

He smiles cautiously. “You’re always a good surprise. Are you okay? Come in. You’re soaked through.” He urges me in, helps me take off my coat. I’m so close to him that I can smell his skin. I want to lean into it, nestle my head into his neck and cry. But I won’t. I will be careful and make things right. I will fix everything.

My stomach feels fluttery. I move past him into the front room, which smells of firewood and coffee. He waits, watching me as I kick off my sneakers. He’s freshly showered, his shirt clinging to his shoulders where he hasn’t dried properly. When I turn, there’s an awkward second or two when he doesn’t know whether to hug me or not. He’s not quite sure of the parameters.

“What’s happening?” he asks. “Has Eli come back? You look rattled.”

“He hasn’t, no. I’m okay. But could we have a glass of wine or something?” I ask.

“Sure. Of course. Follow me.” He heads for his kitchen, the walls of which are a patchwork of reconstituted wood and brick, the whole space lit with pot lights. He pours two glasses of red wine.

“Alex, I put out feelers on Eli like you asked, and we’re tracking him. He’s a lost boy, a product of the foster-care system. In and out since he was seven. You know the drill. He did time in a Penn state penitentiary for narcotics trafficking and there’s some gang history. He’s lost and he’s dangerous. There are warrants out for his arrest.”