When we got back to Kayla’s place, Michael was still talking with Paula. That made Kayla decide to play outside. I went inside and asked Michael if I could speak to Paula alone. He was cool with that. I sat her down at the kitchen table and told her that Kayla overheard Ginny say she didn’t want Kayla around—at all. Then I told her how Kayla had seen Ginny with Cody’s friend.

That last part was tough. I’m not sure what was worse, explaining it or seeing Paula’s reaction. She was horrified ... and guilt-stricken that she hadn’t known. Kayla had gone to a therapist after her mom died, she said, and she was going to get in touch with the woman again.

I WALKED BACK to the motel after that, and on my way, I called Jesse with a rundown of my progress. I mentioned the tire blowout, but downplayed it. I told him I was going out with Michael and, no, it wasn’t to trick him into giving away leads. I was hoping that after the tips I’d given him, he’d willingly offer some of his own.

Jesse was a little nervous about bringing Michael into the investigation. Typical ex-con—wary of cops and their motivations. I assured him we weren’t teaming up. Nor, though, was I going to turn down the opportunity to share information with him.

I called Adam, too, in case I didn’t get a chance later. No, I wasn’t planning to bring Michael to my room, however well the evening went. Been there, done that. In my late teens I’d gone through a phase where I’d decided relationships, even short-term, weren’t my thing. Sex was, though. Ergo, I had sex without the relationship. Which was fine at the time, but the appeal wore off. These days I took my time.

I updated Adam on the case, then we chatted until I reached the motel, and I realized Michael would be picking me up in about ten minutes.

“I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon,” I said.

“With any luck, I’ll already be on my way there.”

“Here?”

“Um, yeah. That’s what I said, right? That I’d swing by after the conference? Help you out?” When I didn’t answer, he said, “I won’t get in the way, Savannah. I’m just coming to help. And wake up after this conference. I’m in serious need of an adventure fix.”

I laughed. “I can believe that. All right then. Just don’t rush, okay?” I paused. “That didn’t come out right. What I mean is—”

“—that you’re handling it just fine and you don’t need me breathing down your neck. I won’t.”

“Thank you.”