Page 34 of A River of Crows

“What do you need at the mall?” Caroline’s eyes didn’t leave the book.

“Noah’s party is today. I wanted to buy him a shirt from Gadzooks.”

“Fine,” Mom said. “But I’m expecting a call from Libby, so it will have to wait.”

Sloan was about to suggest riding her bike, but the mall was too far. She should have said Hastings instead.

“Remember Jenny? My friend from school? She wanted to hang out this summer, so I planned to invite her. Her mom can probably drive us.”

Caroline sighed. “Fine, whatever. But make the call quick. I’m expecting—”

“A call from Libby. Got it.” Sloan pulled the number from her pocket and dialed. She wished there was a phone in her bedroom. Privacy would make this easier.

“Hello.” Sloan recognized Anna’s voice.

“Hey, Jenny.”

“You must have the wrong number.”

“Yeah, this is Sloan. I was wondering if you wanted to go to the mall today?”

Sloan looked at her mother. Her eyes were still on the book, but the fact that she hadn’t turned a single page hadn’t escaped Sloan.

“The mall? Sloan, are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, great. Can your mom drive us? My mom’s right here, but she’s expecting a phone call.”

“Oh. Did you want to visit your dad?” Anna whispered as if Caroline could hear her on the other end of the line.

“Yes, please. I can meet you at the end of the street,” Sloan said.

“That should work. Can you be ready in half an hour?”

“Yes, half an hour is perfect. Thanks!” Sloan hung up the phone with too much force. “Jenny’s mom will take us. Said she’d give us money for lunch and the arcade and can drop us back off at Noah’s.” Sloan spoke too quickly and wondered if she’d said too much, made the fake plan too detailed. More details than could have been ironed out in a one-minute conversation.

Caroline lowered the book. “Have I met Jenny’s mother?”

“Yes.” Sloan’s voice rose. “The first time I went to her house.”

Caroline nodded. “Okay, yeah. What was her name?”

Sloan swallowed. “I’m not sure. I call her Mrs. Robertson.”

Sloan jumped at the sound of the phone’s shrill ring. She grabbed it in case Anna was calling back. “Hello. Oh, hi, Libby. Mom’s right here.” Sloan extended the phone. “It’s Libby. So, I’ll see you tonight after Noah’s party?”

“Alright,” Caroline said.” Have a nice time.”

Sloan exhaled as her mother took the phone. If Mom suspected anything, she wouldn’t pass up a call with Libby to discuss it. Those unending phone calls with her best friend seemed to be Mom’s only hobby nowadays. Sloan didn’t blame her for not wanting to watch the crows at the creek anymore, not after everything that had happened. The creek was no longer the scene of Sloan’s childhood summers or her mother’s research; it was a crime scene.

“Sloan!” Her father lifted her off the ground in a hug.

“I was supposed to come Friday, but I couldn’t wait.”

“I’m so glad you didn’t.” He sat her down. “You can come any visiting day. Sometimes there’s a wait, so it’s always best to come early.”

“Yeah.” Sloan looked up at the clock. “The line was long, and there was a mix-up with paperwork. Anna got mad.”

“I bet. I’ll make sure everything is cleared up for next time. Are you hungry? There are some vending machines.”

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