I look at my mostly empty notebook. I hope Jay has more leads than this. I addGracieto the list of people I need to talk to. But I need to tread carefully. I don’t want to make things even more awkward with her.
Over the course of the day, I check ResConnect a few times, but Jay’s name is never there. It’s possible he’ll never be there. Our timelines are only 85 percent the same—it’s possible that in his timeline, he’ll disappear before November 6.
But at eight o’clock sharp, a message comes through ResConnect.
Jay:Okay, just got in. What did you come up with?
I tell him we should start by figuring out how he got out of the room.
Jay:Probably the same way I always leave. Through the door, then the stairs. Didn’t the stairwell camera catch me?
Aleeza:No, you were seen going up at six, then going down at eight, and up again a few minutes later. Could you have left through the window?
Jay:The window doesn’t open all the way. And I’m not a huge fan of heights, I can’t see me going out a three-story window.
Aleeza:Maybe you had no choice.
Jay:I would have caused a holy ruckus. I can scream loud. Believe me, it’s unlikely.
I writeafraid of heightsin my notebook.
Jay:Can you try and see the camera footage?
Aleeza:Why?
Jay:I don’t know. Maybe they missed something. Or you can describe it to me and I’ll notice if I look strange.
Aleeza:Okay, I’ll ask campus police on Monday. I also want to find out if there are any more cameras in East House.
Jay:Okay.
I’m realizing that there is little Jay can do to help me figure out how he got out of the building, since he hasn’t actually done it yet. It makes more sense for him to help me with suspects and motive.
Aleeza:I’m going to try to talk to Gracie. You know her ... she lives next door.
Jay:Yeah, I know her a little. Do you think she saw something?
Aleeza:Maybe. But she wrote that recent article about you in the school paper. She may be able to help.
Jay:Okay. I like Gracie. Do you have suspects yet?
Aleeza:My suspects are the Birdwatcher, the driver of the black Corolla, and Emma. But I doubt Emma’s behind it because she’s willingly talking to the press. I don’t think she’s that dumb. Were you cheating on her?
Jay:We were never exclusive.
Aleeza:Did she know that?
Jay:Of course. I don’t lead anyone on. I keep things casual, and I make that clear.
This is so weird. Me. Aleeza Kassam. Talking to a guy about his hookup habits. But ... I still feel uneasy. If I hooked up with someone like Jay, I’d probably want more than casual, too, right? But if he sent clear “casual” vibes, then I would make sure that’s all I wanted before hopping into bed with him.
I don’t have a ton of experience with guys. I’ve had only one boyfriend, my ex, Chase, who I dated for four months before I moved away from Alderville. We broke up when I left town because we both knew we weren’t really into each other enough for long distance. We’re still friends. Sort of.
But even someone like me who’s not the hookup type, and who has barely dated, can see that Jay isn’t—or wasn’t—relationship material. Sexy, but not one to settle down. If Jay made his intentions clear, then why would any girl be upset at him enough to actually hurt him?
Maybe he’s not being honest with me, though. Maybe hedidpromise more.
Aleeza:Is it possible someone thought they could change you or something? Maybe they all wanted to be the one to tame the wild rake.
