There’s only one way to know for sure if my father’s an imposter or not. I’ll have to check for the time stamp on his wrist.

But first, I call Jane. I get her voicemail, of course, but I don’t leave a message. What if she’s not the one who would receive it? I can’t take that risk.

Before I can figure out what to do next, Duplicate Ollie’s at my side. “Em? Don’t tell me again that you’re okay. Because I know you aren’t. What’s wrong?”

I rack my brain for an excuse but can’t think of anything to say except that I’m sick, which isn’t far from the truth. I do feel sick, totally off-kilter, like my world is spinning. “I think I’m coming down with something,” I tell him, hoping I sound convincing. “But let’s go back inside. I want to finish dinner before my dad has to leave.”

I need to kill time now, until Maude gets here. It’s torture, but I know how important it is I get a chance to scan my father’s wrists. If my theory is right, and he’s a Duplicate, I’ll know for sure why those men were trying to take Jane.

For the first time ever, I’m grateful to Ollie’s Duplicate for launching into another long-winded story about his latest documentary subject. Heart pounding wildly in my chest, I keep glancing at my plum, barely holding it together as I fear for Jane. I feel so helpless to act, to do anything that could save her.

Maude arrives right as my father’s paying the bill. I slip out to talk to her privately, hoping Ollie will continue to keep my father occupied while I confess my suspicions. That my dad’s a Duplicate. That Jane’s being replaced as we speak.

Maude’s shocked by my news but rallies quickly. I sometimes forget how strong she is. How capable. “How do you want to do it?” she asks, indicating the infrared light.

“There is no good way, is there?” I say. “I’ll distract Ollie. He can’t see this.”

She nods, and we both head inside the restaurant. I pull Ollie aside, asking him privately to please skip dessert because I don’t feel well but don’t want to worry my dad. I make sure Ollie’s back is turned to our table, but I have a direct line of sight to Maude sitting down next to my dad, grabbing his right wrist, and shining the light on it.

I don’t know why I’m so stunned to see it there: the time stamp, plain as day.

003.68.