And I wait for Jasper to say something more, for him to launch into some bigger, longer discussion, in that way he has of never shutting up. But instead, he steps forward, wraps a hand around the back of my neck. And then he is kissing me.

When we finally part, I am not breathless and unmoored like I am afraid I might be. I am steady still. And I am free.

“Okay,” Jasper says quietly. “Then let’s go.”

24

WHEN WE FINALLY GET BACK TO BOSTON, WE HAVE THE CAB LEAVE US A FEW blocks away from Boston General Hospital. It’s past four fifteen a.m., cutting it way closer to our four thirty a.m. deadline with Riel than I had expected. But still in time. If she sticks to the plan. If Agent Klute hasn’t made it so she can’t.

The sidewalks inside the Boston General Hospital grounds are dead quiet, totally empty, and the trees on either side of the driveway so tall and imposing in the dark. None of it feels encouraging. But it isn’t long before we’re at the Dwyer Wing, near the door that I came out from at the bottom of the fire stairs. No one has stopped us. Nothing has gotten in our way.

I wonder for a stupid second whether the door might somehow already be open. But, when I tug on it, it’s still locked tight. And the dread is rising so strong and fast around me, the current might sweep me away.

“What’s wrong?” Jasper asks. It must show on my face.

“Nothing,” I say quickly. The last thing he needs is for me to be having second thoughts. “I just want this to work.”

He nods. “It will.” But he is only saying that because I need him to. “I’m going to go check the time on the bank clock,” Jasper says. Without our phones we have no way to know what time it is except the slowly rotating numbers on a building across the street—time, date, temperature. “I’ll raise my hand at 4:28, so you know we’re close. I’ll come back at 4:40.”

It makes sense: a window to account for a difference in that clock and whatever one Riel might be relying on. If she is even keeping to the plan. If she has figured out how to open the doors. So many ifs. And will the door even make some kind of sound so that I’ll know when it unlocks? I’ll have no choice but to keep trying it in case it silently opens. I watch Jasper head out to almost the middle of the street in search of a clear view of the clock, drawing an unfortunate amount of attention to himself.

And then I wait.