“His mother’s last name was Tanner. Why do I know that name?” I ask Gracie.
She shrugs. “I dunno. It’s a common name.”
“It might be relevant.” I take my phone back from her.
Aleeza:What’s significant about the name Tanner?
Jay:No idea. I don’t know any Tanners.
I know the name has been mentioned at some point. I go through my black notebook and can’t find the name Tanner anywhere. Finally, I search through the screenshots of all my conversations with Jay, and I find it.
Aleeza:You DID tell me the name Tanner! It’s the name of the architect who designed three identical mansions.
Jay:Yes! Ernest Tanner designed East House. But how is that relevant to this case?
After a few more moments of googling, I have an answer. Gracie looks over my shoulder as I explain it to Jay.
Aleeza:Ernest Tanner was Jack’s great grandfather. His grandfather and his mother both grew up in a mansion identical to East House. And I assume Jack spent a lot of time in thathouse. Which means Jack would know all the secret doorways and hidden stairwells. Including the one that leads from the second floor to the back door.
Jay:Brilliant. Yes, Jack would know the layout of this house, even if he’s never been in it.
We had the motive. And now we have the opportunity. We have our guy.
Gracie looks up at me. “But if Jack got Jay out of East House through the secret stairs, why? Why not bring him down the main stairs? Was Jay unconscious?”
I shake my head. “I have no idea. Jack’s not a big guy—he couldn’t have carried Jay down the stairs. Jay must have gone willingly.”
Aleeza:When Jack gave me back my sweatshirt, I asked him when he last spoke to you, he said it started with a text and a picture. Maybe he texts you a picture of his boat?
Jay:Maybe. But now that I know I’m probably going to be thrown overboard, I’ll just ignore whatever picture he sends me to entice me out of the dorm. Should I go to the police?
“Great question,” Gracie says. “Also, shouldwego to the police?”
I think for a moment, then shake my head. “We should get some proof first. Let’s see if he turns up. And now Jay knows not to get on Jack’s boat.” Jay knows how to stay safe.
Saturday night after Gracie leaves, Jay and I watchEverything Everywhere All at Once. It’s not technically a time-travel movie, but it’s a movie we both love.
Jay:If I could drop into different universes, I’d find the one with you and me sitting alone on a beach staring at the waves with no memory of all this shit.
Aleeza:That sounds like heaven. Let’s manifest it.
We both know it’s not possible. But dreams are all we have. When the movie is over, we keep talking. Tomorrow is disappearance day, and neither of us knows for sure what will happen.
Aleeza:So, what’s your game plan for the morning?
Jay:I’ll go to my mom’s. Did any of those news articles say I was at my mom’s that day?
Aleeza:No, they all say you came back to East House at six, were seen in the lobby at eight, and then were never seen or heard from again. They don’t say where you were before six.
Jay:Okay. I guess I’ll be back here at six. Will you be here?
Aleeza:Yes, I promise. I’ll be here all day. Message me the second you’re in the room. And then stay with me.
I swallow. I wish we had more answers, but what we have has to be enough. I can’t lose Jay tomorrow. I absolutely can’t.
Jay:I’ll message you the moment I’m back.
Aleeza:And then I won’t let you go.
