“Oh, Nine!” Tess reached under the dumpster and discovered that Nine was wrapped up in some kind of old net. Volleyball or badminton or something. The more the kitten had struggled against it, the more it must have gotten tangled around her paws and her neck, the tighter it must had bound her. When Tess ripped off the net and pulled her out from underneath the dumpster, tucked the cat inside her coat, the cat was so cold, so, so cold, far more cold than a living thing should ever be and still live.

She ignored the dog walker and his dogs, who yelled and yipped at her back. She ran all the way from the alley to the lobby, from the lobby the elevator, from the elevator to her apartment, could barely speak after she threw open the door, showed her parents what was stowed in her coat. The entire family packed into a cab and raced to the nearest emergency vet. The vet said that if Tess hadn’t found Nine when she did, the cat could have died in the freezing cold.

“You saved her life,” the vet said. “Maybe one day, she’ll return the favor.”

Traffic, anxiety attacks, nightmares. Tess had said, “She already has.”

“Who has what?” Theo and Jaime, both of them huddled around the puzzle, stared at her from their perch on Aunt Esther’s couch.

“Nothing,” Tess said. She got up and went to the window. She nudged the thin curtains aside. On the street, groups of women pushed strollers, kids ran for the nearest park or basketball court, men hung out on stoops, laughing. A blond woman in a red dress walked by, bright hair bouncing.

Tess bolted for the door.

“Tess!” Theo shouted, but Tess was already outside, already chasing the blond woman. She caught the woman’s arm just as she reached the corner.

“What do you think you’re doing here?” Tess yelled. “Where’s Nine? What did you do to my cat?”

The woman turned, wide-eyed. “What? What do you mean?”

She was younger than Tess had expected. Acne dotted her chin. Tiny printed flowers covered the red dress. She looked about as dangerous as a daisy. “Why would I do anything to anyone’s cat? I’m allergic to cats!”

“I . . . ,” Tess started. “I think I might have the wrong person.”

“No duh,” said the girl, rubbing her arm. Footsteps thundered behind them. Theo and Jaime, breathing hard.

“Is everything okay?” Jaime said.

“Your friend needs serious help,” said the girl, before turning and flouncing away.

Tess hugged herself. “I saw the red dress and I thought . . .”

“We know,” said Jaime.

Theo said, “Let’s go back inside. We almost solved the puzzle.”

Who cares? Tess thought, but she didn’t bother to say it.

“Tess,” said Theo. “She’ll be back. I know it.”

Tess dragged her gaze to her brother. “How do you know?”