Deep down, they knew there wouldn’t be.
49
I’M STILL ALONE, ANDwatching.
Perhaps the reason that there are no angels here is
that I am the only one.
That thought picks me up in its mouth like a dog and shakes me.
It blows through me like the wind in a canyon.
I’m no angel, but
it is the loneliest thought of all.
50
PAGE
THE POLICE STATION ISthe last place I should be right now. But they called as I was leaving Sonnet, and I couldn’t resist. I want to see what they have. To know what they know.
Officer Flanigan leads me to a small room. Three chairs, a table, no windows.
A stack of photos on the table.
“These are the pictures that we were able to salvage once we had the film developed.” Officer Flanigan shakes her head. “I didn’t know anyone used disposable cameras post-1998. Unless they’re at a wedding or something.”
It’s because they didn’t want to take their phones.I don’t say it out loud.Too poor to risk losing them.
“Take your time,” Officer Flanigan says. “Go as slowly as you want.” She leaves the room, and I wonder if she is watching me for my reactions behind the one-way glass.
My hands tremble as I go through the pictures. It’s what I expected. The Underground, its scenery.
Her.
A text comes through on my phone. I glance down at it. Mal.Are you okay? I’m sorry about what Skye said.
I don’t respond. I have nothing to say.
Back to the pictures.
There she is, again.
But wait.
My mouth has gone dry.
There’s someone with her.
And I know who it is.
51
CARO
CARO IS FINALLY ATthe top of the hike, looking out at the one view her dad wouldn’t take her to see. The one her mom loved so much that she died trying to get to it.
