I grab my phone and retrieve my bicycle from where I had leaned it against the house. Before I can let my doubts about what I’m doing stop me, I climb on and start to ride.

My leg muscles complain as I pump the pedals. Today’s mile run and the ride yesterday are more of a workout than I’m used to. But even though it’s been two hours since I spotted her there and the chances of her still remaining are slim, I push the pedals as fast as I can.

The sun is bright orange yellow against the cloudless sky as the school comes into view. I allow myself to slow down so I can get a better look at what is happening there.

The police cars are gone. A couple of guys shoot hoops at the outdoor courts at the far end of the building, and a handful of people are standing on the sidewalk not far from the faculty parking lot with their backs to me. I keep my head down as I coast along the street and turn up the inclined drive where I saw the gray-haired woman disappear.

There is a tan brick garage behind the three-story apartment building. It has a white, slightly chipped door, a patch of deep green grass with some reed-thin trees, and a fenced-off area for a vegetable garden that looks as if it was recently planted. But no gray-haired woman in a black hoodie.

I didn’t really think she would still be here. Still . . .

“Atlas was certain you’d return. I was not as optimistic.”

I spin around as the woman I saw hours ago steps from the side of the garage and nods. Up close she looks younger than I had originally thought. The gray hair is streaked with hints of brown. Her eyes are clear blue and flash with impatience. “Had you taken five minutes longer it wouldn’t have mattered because I would not have been here.”

“Who are you?” I ask. “Who is Atlas? And why—”

“Hush!” she snaps, and steps toward me. “You have questions. Had you come immediately I could have given you the answers you seek, but it’s no longer safe. You have to leave immediately.”

“Leave? Why?”

“Because you didn’t come here alone. You were followed by city detectives, and if you don’t show yourself to them soon, they’ll grow curious. If they start to search for you they might find me, and I’m not interested in outrunning Marshals today.”

I shake my head. “No one followed me.”

“Just because you believe something doesn’t make it true,” she warns. “If you wish to continue this conversation, be on the La Salle Street Bridge at twelve thirty tonight. Make sure you aren’t followed or no one will be there to meet you.”

She turns toward the garage.

“Wait—” I wheel my bike after her. “I can’t just go out after midnight to meet some stranger.” It was crazy enough that I came here in the middle of the day!