“I still want to find Yousef,” I say. “And the other three soldiers who were with them too. Finn said they were dead but I want to confirm that. He wouldn’t tell me their names. According to him, two died in Iraq, one back home in the States from a drunk driver.” Caesar doesn’t reply. “Caesar?”

“Yes,” Caesar says. “That’s fine. I just …”

“What is it?”

Caesar sighs. “I’m just busy, Suzie. It’s okay.”

I close my eyes. Of course he’s busy. He’s helping to run my uncle’s business, which is now under attack from the Sureños, and he and Frankie have to deal with the bar being trashed, and I’m not making things easier by telling him to scan a video of a torture session or to find soldiers who were in Iraq over fifteen years ago. “Call it a night, Caesar,” I say. “You’ve already gone above and beyond.”

“I do not mind helping you—”

“I know you don’t,” I say. “And I love you for it. But you’ve done enough today. I’ll borrow Ethan’s laptop and find these guys myself. I’ve got an idea for how to find Yousef. If I can’t do it, you can use Garak or whatever you call your super dark web computer to track them down.”

“I don’t have a super dark web computer,” Caesar says. “That’s not a thing.”

“Sure it is. Probably talks in Sam Jackson’s voice, too.”

“Good night, Susannah.”

I smile. “Night, Caesar.” I disconnect and look up to see Ethan watching me from his chair. “I can use your laptop, right? I’ll delete the search history, don’t worry.”

He nods, wearily. “It’s in my bedroom. I’ll get it in a sec.” He doesn’t move from the chair.

“We need food,” I say. “Pizza?”

Ethan shudders. “How can you eat after watching that video?”

“First order of business—survival.”

“You are not quoting The Wrath of Khan at me.”

“Too late. Get me your computer and then order some pizza. My treat.”

Ethan goes and gets me his laptop, and as he calls to order delivery from Double Zero, I’m dialing a phone number from memory. It’s three thirty PM in California, so she should answer.

She does. “Ellie Mangum.”

“Did y’all find your lost cat yet?” I ask.

It only takes her a second. Ellie is wicked smart. “We did, thanks. And the family is excited. They’re on their way to pick her up. Thank you.”