“Maybe it’s something else?” Kenzie asked. “I didn’t really talk about what I was doing with them, and they didn’t ask. It’s not like they could go in my room without me knowing and find notes or anything to use against me, either.”

“I have no idea,” I said. My eyes roved over the whiteboards. “We’ll wait for Tristan to finish his call. If it doesn’t pan out, I’ll call some people.”

“I’m looking into stuff too,” Chris said.

Kenzie smiled. “Okay. Thanks guys.”

I frowned. “Do you want to step outside? Chat in private? Or ask something? Do you need anything?”

“I’m good,” she said, smiling lightly. “It’s stupid.”

“What’s stupid?” Ashley asked.

“Like, surprise, parents! And I feel exactly like I’m eight years old again and I hear the car door close outside, and… afternoon cartoons are done. Cool babysitter goes home. I’d go to my room to do homework and stay out of the way. And then, you know—I talked about this in the group, but then I end up either trying to be perfect or I’m not perfect and I’m anxious about it, but it’s never a good feeling. I wasn’t perfect here.”

“Nope,” Chris cut in, his focus on his computer.

Kenzie gave him the finger, but he didn’t see.

“Perfect is a pretty high standard,” I said.

“Yeah,” she answered, nodding. “Normally I’m okay, and I was okay before when I knew I had a say and they were scared, but…”

She trailed off.

“Victoria,” Ashley said, her voice soft. “Make those calls you were talking about. Get answers, because it doesn’t look like Tristan’s having any luck. I’ll talk with Kenzie. It’s all I’m good for right now.”

I glanced at Kenzie, and saw her nod.

Okay.

“We’ll reach out to everyone we already talked to or were scheduled to talk to, same way we divided it up beforehand,” I said. “If they’re out, find out why, get details. If they’re still in, we might need their help. Eyes on the scene, looking out for Cheit.”

“Makes sense,” Ashley said.

“Let Tristan know, let Sveta know in case I don’t run into her. I’m stepping outside.”

“Good luck,” Rain said.

I stepped out onto the fire escape, letting the door close behind me.

Between Natalie and the other members of the group, it was too much to balance. We’d figure out what was going on and we’d tackle it, but a conversation with that many people in it wasn’t a good place for me to get my thoughts in order, even when some were quiet.