“Listen, there is a doctor at the hospital named Alvarez and another one named Haddox,” I say. “And the professor guy is named Cornelia, and he works at Metropolitan New York Hospital. You can check it all out yourself. If there’s anybody who deserves your help, it’s those girls. They’re all at Boston General Hospital.”

18

WE WALK QUICKLY, AND IN SILENCE, AWAY FROM LEVEL99’S HOUSE. IT ISN’T until we’re a block away that Jasper finally slows down. He had been even more worried in there than I realized. The fear is buzzing off him.

“You okay?” he asks when we are almost at the car. Like he is totally fine.

I nod. Then shrug. Then shake my head. “I had my hopes up higher than I realized. I thought following Kendall’s note was going to explain everything.”

“On the upside is the whole not being stabbed thing,” he says, feeling bad, really bad that he escalated things. “I shouldn’t have—I don’t know why I grabbed him like that. I haven’t done something like that in a long time.”

“Yeah, that was, kind of—”

“Messed up,” he says. “Sorry.”

“Well, it was my fault we were in there in the first place.”

Jasper smiles. “That’s true.”

His phone rings as he’s unlocking the Jeep. He looks down, confused by the number. “Hello?” His face tightens as he answers. “No. Who’s this?” A pause. “Um, because you called my phone?”

“Is it the woman who has my dad’s phone?” I ask. I can imagine her jumping in without much explanation.

He shakes his head. “Yeah, Wylie’s right here.” He sounds offended. Rachel. I can hear her still talking as he hands me the phone. “Wow, she’s a delight.”

I take the phone and brace myself.

“Rachel?”

“Wylie!” she shouts. “What is going on? I just got your message. What do you mean your dad is missing?” She is way more worried than I want her to be. Also, it’s obvious she knows nothing. “I tried his phone and some lunatic answered. She tried to extort cash out of me. What is going on? Are you okay?”

“Yes.” But this isn’t the time to be putting on a brave face. “I mean, I’m not hurt or anything. But I do need your help. Can we come see you?”

“Of course, of course.” And I feel so grateful now that Rachel stuck around despite all the times I tried to kick her out of our lives. “You want me to meet you?”

“No, we’ll come to you.”

“Okay. I’m at the office. I’ll be here waiting. And don’t worry, Wylie. We’ll work it out. Whatever it is.”