Raven types a few things on her computer before setting it aside. She rests her elbows on her knees.
“Before we do anything else,” she says, “we need to get that tracker signal out of your heads. And while I’m there, I’ll put in a firewall.”
I thought I would be able to let her install the software, but when she looks directly at me, I’m not so sure anymore.
“Wait,” Jackson says, looking from Raven to me. “You’re going to let a hacker inside your programming? I mean, wouldn’t that kind of be letting a bank robber into the vault?”
“Depends what you’re worried I’m going to steal, Jackson,” Raven replies.
Jackson studies her, concern radiating from him. He leans toward me.
“Just consider all your options,” he says to me quietly. I look at Raven.
“If I say yes to this procedure,” I begin, “it would give you complete access to my programming and my memories, right? My entire existence. Essentially … you’d see my soul.”
Raven doesn’t hesitate. “That’s correct,” she says. Annaliselooks over, surprised, but Raven doesn’t acknowledge her stare.
“I’d have access to your entire self,” Raven continues. “You’d have to trust me.”
The room falls quiet until Sydney sighs loudly. “Do mine first,” she announces. I look sideways at her and see that she’s scared. But she knows that I’m not ready, so she’s volunteering to ease my worry.
“What?” Sydney asks me with a shrug. “You think I’m going to let you get overwritten alone?”
“To be clear,” Raven says, “I’m not overwriting anyone. Just installing a firewall.”
Sydney laughs through her nerves and gets up to take a spot on the couch closer to Raven.
“You don’t have to do this,” I say.
“Sure,” Sydney agrees. “But I’ll be happy to never hear Anton’s voice again.”
Annalise abruptly stands and leaves the room. Marcella and I exchange a confused look.
“Jackson, can you please help me in the kitchen?” Annalise calls as she begins to run the sink.
“I’ll, uh …” Jackson stands. “I’ll see what Annalise wants while you …” He looks warily at Raven before turning back to me. “While you get started, I guess.”
I thank him, and after he leaves, Raven digs into her backpack to remove some equipment.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do once you’re at the party?” Raven asks.
I shake my head. “Not yet,” I tell her. “But while I talk to the boys, I’m thinking Sydney should go through Lyle’s things.”
“Yes,” Sydney says.
“Lucky,” Marcella whispers, earning a smile. The idea of searching through people’s houses holds some appeal. I’m sure Marcella has been bored out of her mind. There’s only so much excitement internet research can provide.
“It will probably rule Lyle out,” I say. “But that’s one less suspect.”
“I have an idea,” Brynn says, perking up. “You said there will be other boys at the party, right? That one boy, Jonah—what if instead of going with you, Marcella and I break into his house?”
“I’m listening … ,” Marcella says, unable to hide her smile.
“That’s right,” Sydney says, looking at me. “Lyle said Jonah’s dad is out of town and that he’d be spending the night. So while they’re at the party with us, Marcella and Brynn can search Jonah’s house. That way, we can rule out two of the boys.”
Marcella already has her phone, looking for the address. At the coffee table, Raven opens up one of her boxes, and I see various sizes of screwdrivers, plastic tubing. She lifts her eyes as if expecting us to be concerned. Sydney audibly gulps.
“Rest back,” Raven tells her kindly, putting her hand on her shoulder.
