Maybe she’d been chanting those words louder than she’d thought.
“Carter and I were thinking we should talk to Adi again,” Beck said. “If he really does know something—” “Screw that asshole.”
“We still have a few days before we’re sent home. And we’re completely free. No schedules, no RAs, no rooms to run. Without any distractions, we can put all our focus on proving Ranielle killed Alicia.” He pointed at his temple. “Laser.”
Carter patted Sierra’s arm. “It’s not over yet.”
“How will we get evidence if we can’t get into the studio?”
“We’ll find a way,” said Beck. “We’re still Team Helsing. And hopefully Adi will have something useful to tell us. In the morning,” he added, when Sierra opened her mouth to argue. He offered her the bag of Skittles. She eyed it with distrust.
“It’s not poisoned,” Carter assured her.
Sierra huffed and held out her palm. The rainbow candies stuck to her damp skin, but the sugary crunch was pretty delicious.
Beck offered her another handful and she took the whole bag.
Carter dug out her phone. “We have to show you something.”
“What?” Sierra perked up. “Has the Real Game Master posted again?” She hadn’t checked the Domain all afternoon.
“Better. Look.”
Sierra leaned in and frowned. “It’s a cat.”
“And a ferret! Look at them! Look— Watch this bit—”
“What does this have to do with anything?”
“It has to do with everything,” said Beck, putting the toilet lid down so he could perch on it. “Strap in, Sierra. We’ve got a million of them, and they will change your life.”
43
Adi
Adi sat on his hotel bed the next morning. He’d packed his bagas soon as Beck had gone to meet with Carter and Sierra more than an hour ago. Adi had not been invited to join them.
His phone was open to the bus timetable—only twenty-five minutes and he’d be out of here. He’d make a quick stop at home, pack a bag. Then—
Then an interstate coach out of LA, a couple of hitchhiking expeditions, and he’d be making a real-life escape. There was no way he was going back to his mom’s place, and his dad wouldn’t help him now. Adi had failed. In every way imaginable.
Someone knocked on the door. He considered ignoring it, but the knock came again, more insistent.
Resigned, he opened up.
Sierra wasn’t slathered in her usual makeup, and she wasn’t in her boots, which meant she was four inches shorter.
“Hey.” She fidgeted with her lip ring. “Can we talk?”
“Are you here to murder me?”
She held out her empty hands. “Weapon-free.”
Adi glanced over his shoulder at the bus timetable open on his phone. “I’m sort of busy . . .”
“I’ll be quick.”
Well. If he was going to disappear, he should probably make amends before he went.
