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“I don’t have money for gas.”
“The money will be there. You’ll have another ID. No one will know it’s you.”
Rhiannon pinched the bridge of her nose. This seemed insane. And yet she wanted to stay here. She had nowhere else to go.
“How many people do you want me to…bring the message to?” she asked.
“Two, maybe three at the most.”
“Three,” Rhiannon repeated. “I’m pretty sure I don’t know three people who’d want to give up their lives for this place.”
“Don’t worry. I have some ideas. I’d appreciate if you kept this between us. The others might feel a little slighted if they found out someone was getting a chance to circumnavigate the fees. But you are my scholar, Rhiannon. You have a quality the others don’t have—and believe me, I’ve gotten to know all of them.”
“I do?”
“You do. You have the ability to inspire. To reallyreachpeople.”
She didn’t want to feel flattered. But when had someone last called her a scholar? Aninspiration?
“Okay,” she said. “I’ll do it.”
“Atta girl, Pigeon. I’ve got the first name of someone to look into. I’ve done some research on her. She’s endured a tragedy.Desperateto have a baby. Hang on. I’m going to text it to you.”
A moment later, Rhiannon’s phone beeped. A name appeared in the window:Dr. Sarah Wasserman.Listed was her address in Los Angeles and some extra details:Goes by Sadie.Hurting. Recently lost a good friend to a terrible accident. Wants a child.
Rhiannon began to make the arrangements to take a trip.
31
Lenna
October
Present day
“Lenna!” Marjorie shouts through the phone. “Whereareyou? There’s a dust storm! Find shelter,now! It can be very dangerous!”
“I know everything, Marjorie,” Lenna says in a low voice. “And I know you did something to Rhiannon.”
“Huh?” Marjorie shouts. “I can’t hear you!”
“You know things about us. You’re threatening us. Holding our lives hostage. Did you do something to Rhiannon? Tell me where she is.”
There’s a pause. The wind smacks against Lenna’s side. The dog whimpers. “Lenna,” Marjorie pleads. “Look, whatever you think—I just want you safe. I care about you. I have no idea where Rhiannon is. I promise.”
Lenna exchanges a glance with Sarah. A likely story. “You blocked outside web searches about everyone to confuse us. If you had only blocked yourself, that wouldn’t have been suspicious. But blockallof us…”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t block any searches.”
“Yes, you did. In the house. On the Wi-Fi.”
“No. I’m serious. I don’t even knowhowto do that.”
“Did Rhiannon find Carina’s post?” Lenna presses. “Is that it? And did she confront you about it? You sent her that photo with the note, didn’t you? The one of her and her mother?”
“Lenna, can we please,pleasehave this conversation later? You shouldn’t be out there in this storm.”
“What about the guns?” Sarah breaks in.
