Page 46 of The Chain

“Mom, listen, I just told Marty that Kylie is staying with you in New York.”

“What? Why did you do that?”

“He came over today and it’s one of his weekends but Kylie hates Marty’s new girlfriend and didn’t want to go stay with him, so I just sort of panicked and said that she was with you for a couple of days in New York.”

“But I’m in Florida.”

“Mom, I know you’re in Florida, but if Marty calls, you have to tell him that you’re in Brooklyn and Kylie’s with you.”

“What are we doing in New York?”

“Kylie wants to see all the Egypt stuff at the Met.”

“She would like that.”

“And you guys got tickets to seeHamilton.”

“How did we manage to do that?”

“I don’t know, maybe you know some old lady who isn’t using her tickets.”

There’s a long silence on the line while Judith thinks about it. “This is quite the web of lies you’ve hooked me into, Rachel. Now I’m going to have to pretend I’ve seenHamiltonif my ex-son-in-law calls. What am I going to say?”

“Hell, Mom, can you not think on your feet? Oh, and you’ve confiscated Kylie’s phone,” Rachel snaps as they pass a sign that readsBEVERLY, NEXT EXIT.

“Why would I take my thirteen-year-old granddaughter’s phone?”

“Because you’re sick of her coming all the way to New York City and then just staring at a piece of glass six inches from her face the whole time she’s there.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense,” Judith says.

“OK, Mom, thanks a lot, you’re a lifesaver. I better go,” Rachel says as they arrive in Beverly.

“Take care of yourself, honey, I worry about you.”

“I’m fine, Mom. Everything’s fine.”

She hangs up. It’s drizzling and a chill wind is blowing in from the water. “Don’t like this weather,” Pete says. “Helen might change her mind and pick up Toby instead of letting him walk. I better check.”

There’s nothing on Facebook, but using the worm on the home PC, they find Helen writing a text to her sister to say that, per her recommendation, she is watchingAtomic Blondewith Mike.

They have their window.

They park on Revenue Street at six thirty, but for some reason a line of kids and adults are coming out of the Old Customs Hall.

“What the hell? Who are those kids? Jesus, I think that’s the archery club!” Pete cries.

“Look at all those bows and stuff. Itisthem! We’ve screwed it up already!” Rachel exclaims.

“Go! Run the route!” Pete says, and Rachel puts the car in gear.

“I’m going.”

“I don’t understand it. They’re supposed to get out at seven o’clock. Why would they leave early? And half an hour early! It makes no sense,” Pete says.

“Oh God, oh God,” Rachel is saying over and over.

“It’s all right,” Pete says evenly. “They’re only just getting out. We’ll be OK.”

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