The doctor was still intoning. “Sometimes children under stress act out. They seek attention.”
“Oh, fuck,son,” Hobbit said again. “He thinks you’re one of those heavy-duty hospital lying liars.”
Jules could hear his mother’s voice now, but not clearly enough to make out her words.
“Urine test just came back negative for cannabis,” the doctor announced, “which means it was something else, which is... not good news.”
More from his mother that he couldn’t hear. Did she honestly believe that Jules was lying about this? His anxiety was starting to rise.
“There are so many possibilities,” the doctor said in that voice. “We could send both his blood and urine out for further testing, but... it’s expensive, and insurance won’t cover it.”
A shorter question from his mom.
“Well, you’ll have to talk to billing about the exact cost, but... Mrs. Cassidy, with all due respect, I’d suggest you saveyour money and instead talk to your son. Urge him to be honest about what really happened last night.”
Jules’s mom got loud. “Are you suggesting,son, that he drugged his own soda?!”
“Oh, fuck,” Hobbit said gleefully. “Sheson-ed him, too. Sorry, JC, you can’t marry me because I’m gonna be your brother after I beg your mom to adopt me.”
Out in the hall, Jules’s mom was loudly reaming Dr. Phony a new one with at least one audibleHow dare you?
Then the curtain screeched open, and she came back in, yanking it closed behind her. “Whatanasshole!” She turned to Hobbit, “Excuse my accurate language!” Back to Jules. “Oh, my God, I’msomad!”
And she was about to get more mad.
“Imagine if he’d raped me,” Jules said quietly, “the kid who spiked my soda. And the doctors and the police and even my own mother didn’t believe me.” For the first time in his life, as he’d listened to that doctor out in the hall, he’d had a taste of what that might feel like—to not be believed. And God, it was awful.
The expression on his mother’s face was one he was pretty sure he’d remember forever, as she realized that there were girls in his school who were dealing with exactly that.
He leaned forward. “Mom, we’re so close to catching this guy.”
“You really think you can find him?”
“I do,” Jules said. “I really do.”
She nodded. “Promise me that you’ll call me when you need help.” She looked at Hobbit. “You, too, Kevin. Promise me.”
Jules nodded. “I promise,” he said.
And Hobbit promised, too.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Present Day
Palm Springs, California
Mission Day Two
Mick tried calling Sam Starrett back while Emily was in the shower, but his call went right to the man’s voicemail.
He tried calling the other Troubleshooters investigator—Jules Cassidy—but same thing.
He didn’t bother leaving a message. They’d see his missed calls.
But then he realized they’d probably try to call him back later, while he and Em were at dinner so he sent Sam a quick text.I tried returning your call, but didn’t reach you. I’m unavailable for the rest of the evening, but I’ll try to call again tomorrow morning.
He hit send and turned off theburner phone—just completely shut it on down. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
