Page 65 of The Flame

Daniel laughed. “We’re not fussy here at camp misery.”

“It’s not that bad.” Jessie’s nose scrunched as she looked around.

“That’s what all our visitors say, until we make them spend the night.”

Her gaze flashed to him. “You have visitors?”

“He’s kidding.” I set the pot of water to boil on the gas burner and joined them on the other side of the couch.

“So?” I prodded her with a look. “Were you able to deliver the letter to Axel?”

“Oh, right!” She delved into her backpack again and handed me a piece of folded paper.

“What’s this?”

“Look.”

Disappointment engulfed me as I unfolded the page and saw the ‘Dear Friend’ at the top. This was my letter. “You weren’t able to get it to him? Or he wouldn’t take it.”

“Look closer.”

Daniel jumped up to peer over my shoulder as my eyes scanned lower, reading the words I’d written.

“I don’t understand.” I glanced at Jessie, frowning. “This is my letter, but it’s not my handwriting.”

“Exactly.” She curled up onto one end of the couch and grabbed a cookie to munch on while she talked, her voice pitched in excitement. “So, I got your letter to Axel the day after you came to see me. It was fine. I grabbed him at the bus stop that morning and the moment I mentioned your name, he was suddenly my best friend. He’s something else, isn’t he?”

I laughed. “He’s enthusiastic.”

“And then some.” She rolled her eyes at me. “He wanted to know why you haven’t come in to work, what’s happening, where you are.”

“You didn’t say anything, did you?” Daniel snapped over my shoulder.

“Of course not.” She looked at me. “I didn’t say anything to your mom, either, and she also asked. I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to tell her?”

“No,” I said. “The Sisterhood will be interrogating her. It’ll be easier if she honestly doesn’t know anything.”

“Okay.”

“Did Axel mention anything about the heirs escaping?”

“No, and I didn’t bring it up,” she said.

“Sounds like he doesn’t know about your involvement,” Daniel said.

One person there did know. The night nurse. What had they done to silence him?

“Anyway,” Jessie said, “I’m sorry it took me so long to come. After I met with Axel, I swear I felt eyes watching me everywhere.”

My breath snagged. “You think the Guard are spying on you?”

“I don’t know.” Jessie shrugged. “Maybe I’m just being paranoid. I’m not used to all this sneaking around. But I was afraid to lead anyone here, so I thought I’d give it a week, just in case. Thenthathappened.”

She pointed the cookie she was holding at the letter in my hands. “Carolyn and I went to the Crooked Teapot for brunch.”

“Carolyn?” I was so out of touch with my friends. “How is she?”

“She’s fine, but that’s not the important part,” Jessie said. “When the waiter brought our tea tray, that letter was lining it below the doily.”

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