Page 82 of Shadowing You

“I have your phone,” Gavin said.

It took a second for Ethan to process that. “Wait. How? I left it in Changsha.”

“I got it. Grabbed your suitcase too.”

“You were in China?”

“Still am. If you tell me your passcode, I’ll get your in-laws’ numbers.”

Gavin was in China? How had he gotten access to Ethan’s hotel room? And…why?

“Passcode?” Gavin prompted.

Ethan gave it to him, and Gavin said, “Under Chen?”

“Yeah.”

A moment passed, then, “Got both their numbers. I’ll call as soon as we hang up.”

“If they don’t answer, try the hospital.” Ethan should’ve called them days ago, but he hadn’t wanted to get their hopes up. “Neither one of them answers their phones when they’re on duty. She works in billing. He’s in IT. I haven’t told them anything, so give them time to process.”

“I can be sensitive,” Gavin said.

Michael scoffed, and Ethan almost chuckled.

“Apologize for me, would you?”

“I’ll tell them you’re rescuing their daughter,” Gavin said. “They won’t need any apologies.”

“It’s a plan.” Michael was all business. “Ethan, you’re going to need to get to a place where someone can meet you.”

Ethan looked at the mountains surrounding him. “We have no car, no scooter. Not even an e-bike.”

“Have you ever stolen a car?”

“No.” Ethan blinked. “Have you?”

“The point is, it’s an option. I can walk you through⁠—”

“There’s got to be a better way.” Gavin’s voice was sharp. “Ethan, you two are both wanted by the police after the break-in at the hospital. If you’re seen, you’ll be taken into custody. Stealing a car isn’t an option.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Michael asked. “We don’t even know where they are.”

Ethan said, “I can send a pin⁠—”

“No—”

“—Don’t do that!”

They’d both yelled at the same time.

Noted. Sending a pin was on the list of things not to do.

“If you were in a city, it would be different. You’ll be too easy to find in a village.” Michael seemed to set his argument with his uncle aside. “Get moving in the morning. When you have service again, and you’re in a populated area, contact me.”

“By then,” Gavin said, “I’ll have a plan.”

Ethan stared up toward the mountains, toward Mei Lin. “We’ll figure it out.”