“Maybe nothing. But if it’s what I think it is, I’m gonna need somebody there to tell me I’m not crazy.”

Cole came off his bike and released the bungee cord that held his gym bag to the seat. He lit up a smoke. The only other vehicle in the Killington High parking lot was an old Volkswagen facing the street, a for sale sign taped to its windshield. He checked his watch: 11:03. Savannah was late. He didn’t know if Mona’s plan was dependent upon the clock, but he didn’t want to risk it. He wanted to be on the riverbank at a quarter to midnight as instructed, and they still had a stop to make on the way.

He paced around, too tired to move and too keyed up to stand still. He had managed a few hours of sleep in the afternoon, but not until first passing through an onslaught of adoration from his mother. It had taken her ten minutes to release him after he’d walked in the front door. Her sobriety was going to take some getting used to. When he finally made it to his room, he collapsed onto his mattress without even bothering to undress. Still, his sleep had been fitful at best.

Headlights crested the hill on Jenkins Avenue. Seconds later Savannah’s Honda peeled off the road and swerved into the lot. Cole flicked his cigarette away as she pulled up alongside him and rolled down her window.

“Sorry, I had to sneak out, took a while.”

Cole went around to the passenger side and got in, placing the gym bag between his legs. “Sneak out? You’re eighteen. And it’s a Saturday night.”

“I just didn’t want to have to answer any questions, all right? I’m here, aren’t I?”

Cole shut the door. “Head east on Jenkins.”

“Care to tell me what this is all about?”

“I think I’m just gonna let things unfold, let you see them for yourself.”

“So where are we headed?”

“Wilma Way.”

She hit the brakes hard.

Cole planted his hands on the dashboard to keep from flying though the windshield. “God, I hate it when you do that.”

“Wilma Way? Cole, what’s going on?”

“Nothing.” He reached for his seat belt. “You’ll just have to see.”

“Why would you want to go down there tonight?”

“I think I might be able to help.”

“Help?” She flipped on the dome light. “Cole, it’s late. It’s freezing cold. And if professionals with industrial equipment can’t accomplish anything down there, what makes you think you can?”