Part 27 (2/2)

Really wanting an explanation.

Needing something to s.h.i.+ft and make sense.

She said, ”It's a book about a society where kids are sent away for their childhoods.”

”There were a bunch of books written about it.” Tammy finally let go of Lucas.

Scarlett felt her breathing change and deepen. Had she been jealous? Of the hug? Of contact? She said, ”This was written before it happened.”

”My father had it,” Lucas said.

”In that old RV?” Tammy returned to her chair and pulled her sungla.s.ses back down. ”Did he talk to the police about it?”

”I don't know,” Lucas said.

Scarlett looked at Lucas pointedly. ”Let's go in and do that.”

Back in the house, she stood at the kitchen aisle. ”Where in Florida does he live? Were you able to find his address?”

”No, but I found the town. Tarpon Springs. We could go there, maybe. Ask around? My dad was e-mailing with his son a few years ago, but the e-mail I sent bounced.”

”So we stop people in the street?” She had no idea what their next steps should be but for some reason felt that it shouldn't be calling the police. ”What would we even ask him?”

”I don't know. Where he got the idea? If he has any theories about us?” A look of fear and excitement on his face all at once. ”For all we know, it's him.”

”Do you want to talk to Chambers?” she asked, making it clear in her tone that she didn't.

”What are you two plotting?” Tammy was there; she'd brought the scent of her sunscreen-coconut and chemicals-with her.

”Nothing,” Scarlett said.

Tammy went to the fridge and refilled her lemonade. ”Liar.”

Scarlett said, ”We were thinking of trying to talk to the author.”

”You don't think Will did that already? Or Chambers?”

Scarlett started piecing things together. ”Chambers would have shown it to you if he knew about it. He would have asked you about it, since I was the one who said I was going to the leaving. He would have asked us about it yesterday.”

Tammy twisted her mouth to one side. ”Suppose you're right.”

Scarlett felt something inside her turn sour when she said, ”It looks like in the book this is an advanced society that is aware of and in communication with intelligent life-forms on other planets.”

Tammy's eyes turned beady.

Rightfully so.

Scarlett said, ”I'll go with you tonight, if you let me do this.”

Tammy picked up her lemonade and turned toward the hall. ”You want to find someone like that. A writer. You go and you ask around in the bars.” From down the hall she called out, ”The dive-ier the better.”

Scarlett turned to Lucas and almost laughed.

He raised his eyebrows and smiled. ”It's actually a really good idea. What's tonight?”

”Long story,” she said. ”Should we invite Kristen?”

Lucas seemed to stiffen when he said, ”If you feel like you have to.”

Scarlett was shaking her head. ”Not really.”

Had to trust this.

Trust him.

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