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Cymbeline
The next day, Fiona and I went out to the ski jump. I practiced for several hours with my dutiful sister recording the length. Despite my best efforts, I’d not yet beaten my own record of just over fifty meters.
“I don’t know, Fi. This might be my best,” I said as we were walking toward the car.
“It might be good enough to win.”
The sky was a cobalt blue this afternoon. Sunlight made the snow almost blinding. I leaned against the side of the car as Fiona took my skis and put them in the back. “I want to win, obviously, but lately it seems more important to simply be able to compete.”
“You say that now but wait until the day. You’ll be ready to win.” Fiona came to stand next to me. We watched the skiers on the mountain for a moment. Mostly locals still; I knew the weekend would bring people from Denver and Louisville.
We were distracted by the appearance of Li striding toward us, his head down as if he were deep in thought.
“Li, hello,” Fiona called out to him.
He lifted his gaze and gave us one of his shy smiles, then rushed over to us as best he could over the slick ground. “Hello there. What are you two doing out today? Skiing?”
“Practicing my jumps,” I said.
His dark eyes shone with encouragement. “Good for you, Cym. I wish things were different, but you should never give up.”
“Thanks,” I said. “As Fi says, at least I’ll know if I can beat them.”
“What brings you out here?” Fiona asked.
“I had to pick up my pay from the party the other night. The one that kept me out so late.”
“Why would you be picking it up here?” Fiona asked.
“Just because.” Li shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away, but not before I saw a look of guilt cross his even features.
Given Fiona’s next question, she sensed something too. “Was the party you played at hosted by Flynn?”
“I can’t say.” Li looked at the ground as if desperate to see a crack in which to disappear. “So please don’t ask.”
“Hosted by Flynn?” I asked out loud. “What kind of party would that be?”
Li continued to look at his feet. “You’d have to ask your brother.”
“What’s he doing?” Fiona asked me, as if I would know.
“Is it dangerous, Li? Can you at least tell us that?” I kept my voice steady even though my stomach clenched.
“I’m sworn to secrecy,” Li said. “I can only tell you that I wasn’t in any danger.”
Perhaps feeling a presence, I happened to glance over at the club. Flynn stood in the window, watching us. Dread draped over me like a heavy cloak. Something was not right. Flynn was in with dangerous people. What they were doing, I couldn’t imagine. My instincts told me it was something bad. Something that could get him hurt.
“Is it only me who senses something dark has come to our town?” Fiona asked. “Li, please tell us you’re not a part of it.”
Finally, he met our eyes. “I play music, Fi. That’s all I’ve ever done and all I’ll ever do. Which is why I’m poor and your brother’s rich.”
I sucked a breath through my teeth, fighting a wave of nausea that I was afraid would make my breakfast come up. “Li, don’t get involved further,” I said. “Whatever this is, stay away. My brother will bring you only trouble.”
Li gazed at me for a long moment. “I can’t understand why a man with everything would take such risks.”
“Is he in danger?” Fiona asked. “Please, you have to tell us what you know.”
Li turned slightly toward the lodge, then back to us. “He’s standing there, watching us.”
“I know,” I said.
“Which should tell you that whatever this is he’s involved in—it’s better that you don’t know.”
Fiona’s eyes filled. “I’m scared, Li.”
His expression softened at the sight of Fi’s tears. He touched the sleeve of her jacket and spoke kindly. “If I knew anything that would be helpful instead of worrying you more, I would tell you, but I don’t.”
“What kind of party was it?” I asked.
Li closed his eyes for a second. “I’ll talk to your father. Will that appease you for now? What I know—it’s not something I can share with either of you.”
Talking to Papa seemed like a reasonable request. “Yes, that will be fine. Thank you,” I said.
“Try not to fret,” Li said. “Flynn’s like a cat. He always lands on his feet.”
But did he have nine lives? That I wasn’t so sure about.
Fionaand I talked all the way home about what we could do to help the situation. By the time we pulled into the garage, we’d convinced ourselves to talk to Mama and Papa. “Just to warn them that Li will be coming to see them,” Fiona said as if we needed a justification.
