‘He’s such a great kidder, isn’t he?’ Tom turned so she wouldn’t see his blushes. ‘But I guess now we have a fair idea where Takapa’s holed up. And your mom and dad.’

‘Better than a psychic.’ Kate nodded thoughtfully. ‘You meant what you said, didn’t you? About needing to finish this …’

Tom nodded. ‘And Takapa said his HQ was in Chicago …’ He took a deep breath and turned to face her. ‘I hear the Windy City’s lovely this time of year.’

‘Then I guess,’ Kate replied, with the tiniest of smiles, ‘maybe we should check it out.’ She turned back to the computer and typed a brief reply:

g

Dearest AB. Too aloof for sense and plague, too broke to keep running. We’re going to Chicago. See you there? X

g

‘You never put kisses on notes!’ Tom protested.

She sent the message and smiled innocently. ‘Don’t I?’

‘Well,’ he grumbled, ‘even with a kiss, I can’t see Blood coming.’

Kate stretched and yawned. ‘He’d better,’ she drawled, bunching her fists. ‘Otherwise – sexily aloof or not – I’ll hunt him down myself and smash his face in.’

g

Kate slept for most of the afternoon. Rest came easier now she’d cleared things up with Tom. She knew he was right; she’d known last night he was right about what they had to do, and about being in it together. He was facing up to the future, and she knew she had to as well. Whatever it held.

A fresh change of clothes had been left out for her on the floor along with her rucksack:her black corduroys and a bottle-green sweater, and her battered Timberlands. She dressed quickly, and went out to find Tom.

He was sitting in Rico’s room, dressed more normally now in blue jeans that fitted him and a grey ribbed T-shirt. She watched him, waiting in gloomy silence while the boy lay asleep in crisp white sheets. It must be tough for Tom, she knew, with his parents just down the hall.

‘Hey,’ he said softly, his face brightening as she walked over.

‘Where’d you get the clothes?’ she asked.

‘Jasmine got them from the hangout, along with our gear.’ Tom tapped his own rucksack and sighed. ‘I think they were Ramone’s. She didn’t want them slung out in the trash.’

Kate nodded, and turned to look at Rico. ‘He seems so peaceful.’

‘Just how peaceful this place will be when he wakes up remains to be seen,’ Tom said dryly.

Kate smiled. ‘Where’s Jasmine, anyway? I thought she’d be here.’

‘She’s been busy.’

Kate turned to see Stacy walking into the room with a welcoming smile.

‘But she’s going to be busier,’ Stacy added.

‘She is?’ Kate queried.

‘Uh-huh. She’s out front right now, waiting for you guys.’ Stacy held out her hand to Kate. ‘Goodbye.’