For another thing, Luke was leaving soon. Even though she’d slightly elongated the amount of time between Agatha’s arrival at Furry Tails and the puppy’s adoption, she wasn’t deceitful enough to knowingly lengthen the treasure hunt. Not even to give the Restoration of Luke its best shot at success.

It wouldn’t be fair to keep him here when she knew how much he wanted to go.

On Sunday afternoon, Luke received a text from Dylan, the teenager who’d agreed to keep him informed on Blair.

Dylan

Hey, Mr. Dempsey. I was kind of hoping that Blair wouldn’t do anything to make you upset. Or that I wouldn’t see her doing it.

Luke

Unfortunately, the chance that Blair will start making good choices is zero.

Dylan

It’s not like I know her really well or anything, but I feel kind of bad telling on her.

Ben had told Luke that Leah could relate so much to Luke’s desire to stay up to date on Blair’s behavior that she’d told her brother, Dylan, she’d add thirty minutes to his curfew if he’d help out. Dylan had agreed, but now it sounded like he was getting cold feet.

Luke

I understand, but I promise you that you’re doing the right thing. I’m trying to keep her out of trouble, but I can’t do that without information.

Scrolling dots answered, but no words came through.

Luke

Blair won’t know who’s keeping me in the loop. You’re doing this for her own good. Plus, it’s not terrible to have a later curfew.

Dylan

You don’t know how bad I want a later curfew. My sister makes me come home super early.

Luke

I’m glad this will work out for us both. Where’s Blair and what is she doing?

Dylan

She’s smoking in the alley behind the shops on Sunset Road, near the school.

Luke

Thanks, Dylan. I appreciate it.

Luke didn’t have to wonder which location the kid meant. When he’d been Blair’s age, he’d smoked in the same alley behind the same shops.

Fifteen minutes later, Luke parked near the mouth of the alley and followed the sound of conversation and the smell of cigarette smoke. He found Blair sitting with three boys and one girl on the curb—all of them holding cigarettes.

His anger shot to a ten. The twin girls were supposed to have made up for the stress and devastation he’d cost his parents. They were supposed to be sweet, obedient, close with their parents.

It seemed like Hailey was a good little soldier, doing her part. But Blair? No. He was taking her behavior personally because she’d let him down.

“We’re leaving,” he stated when he drew within hearing range of the group.

“No thanks.” Her smug smile said, You can’t make me go.