I wasn’t sure if everyone was as quick to understand as Poppy, but she was older than the other two. She had age and experience on her side. Nova, in particular, looked upset, her arms crossed, and, if anything, she looked like she might cry.
“This is a big step back.” Storm was quiet for a long moment. “You trust us to do this without you?”
“Absolutely,” I said without hesitation. We’d worked together for years, and there was no doubt in my mindwho these people were at their core. “Completely,” I added in case I hadn’t been clear.
Nova leaned back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t want this without you.”
“You’re not losing me as a friend,” I reminded her. We’d all become close over the years, and I couldn’t even imagine not talking to them. They’d been a massive part of my life for years. “I’m still going to be here for voice chats or consults.” The words were weak even to my ears.
Poppy nodded, clearly already thinking. “We can restructure it. We’ll workshop it. Maybe we can do a monthly podcast so it isn’t too much. We can share podcasting, or rotate it? Nova and I can take the lead. Storm can stay behind the scenes and pop in now and then, but he can stay in research.”
Storm’s mouth twitched. “Wow. That’s generous, but I’m not really sure I’ll have time for a more permanent role. This was always supposed to be a minor side job.”
“Oh, stop. You like us, and you like living in the shadows,” Poppy teased. “You can’t fool us. That’s where you feel the most comfortable.
Nova looked torn. “What about the audience? They didn’t seem to like us much. The comments weren’t very good.”
“They’ll adapt,” I said. “Or you’ll find a new audience. This has always been optional. If the audience shrinks, that’ll be okay for the show. You guys can build it the way you want. And Nova … don’t look at the comments.”
“I told her that, too,” Poppy said. “Hattie, are you sure this is what you want, not just what feels safe right now?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” I said. “I want a future that isn’t defined by cases and bodies.”
Storm watched me closely. “You’ll still consult.”
“I’ll help when I can. Like I said.” My boundaries were firm on this, though. There wasn’t going to be any walking it back.
Nova sighed. “I hate it,” she muttered. “But I get it.”
Relief washed over me, heavier than I expected. “Thank you.” For a moment, it felt lighter. Then the knot in my chest returned. “There’s something else,” I said. All three of them focused instantly. “I was just wondering if one of you could check into something personal for me. My friend Sydney. The call I just had with her didn’t feel right. She looked scared, and she rushed me off the phone.” Storm frowned, but I pressed on. “It’s just not like her.”
Nova frowned. “What kind of wrong? We normally don’t spy on people just for nothing.”
That was completely true, and we all respected that line.
“I agree with you, but something just doesn’t feel right. She’s a second-grade teacher at a private school, butweeks ago, she mentioned that her principal might fire her. Then today… Trying to gather my thoughts, I tried again. “She was in her car, and someone honked their horn, and she was startled.” When Poppy went to speak, I held up my hand. “I know, but not like that. Like hyper-alert. And she was dressed way off from what she normally does. Look, I get it. We shouldn’t just invade people’s privacy for no reason, but she’s been dodging questions for over a month. It would make me feel better if I knew she was really okay. Please. As a favor.”
I’d never asked for a personal favor during all the time we’d known each other. Never.
Storm’s posture changed almost imperceptibly. More alert. More focused. “Send me her full name and details,” he said.
Relief and fear tangled together in my chest. “Thanks.”
He nodded once. “If there’s something wrong, I’ll find it.” He was already clicking keys and opening the email I’d sent with Sydney’s basic information. I could tell he was in work mode.
Poppy leaned closer to the camera. “You did the right thing, saying something.” Poppy knew more than any of them that I’d had regrets about not saying something sooner when it came to my sister. “Storm will look, and if she needs help, he’ll let you know.”
“Maybe I’m being paranoid, after everything that happened, but I just want to be sure. Thanks for helping.”Even now, sitting and talking it through with everyone, the whole thing struck me as weird and unlike Sydney.
Storm’s voice was calm. “Trauma can only sharpen instincts. It doesn’t invent things, Hattie.”
That hit harder than I expected. Was that why I’d been able to keep the podcast going for so long? Had my trauma heightened my instincts? Snorting a little to myself, I almost said it didn’t help me with Galloway, but that wouldn’t be fair. We’d pegged him as dirty from the start, but we didn’t realize how right we were.
Nova finally sighed. “So. You’re really doing this.”
“Yep.” It felt so good, like I was free. “I’m choosing a different life.”
Poppy smiled softly. “Good for you, sweetie.”
