Page 99 of The Last Session

“Sorry. Just—damn. It’s even wilder than I thought.” He shook his head. “What’d they say when you told them you were leaving?”

“I didn’t.” At his confused expression, I continued. “I need to talk Catherine into leaving with us first. But she’s not answering her door.”

“Leaving with us?” He frowned. “To go where?”

“Ideally, an inpatient treatment center.”

“Hmm.” He leaned against the sink, crossing his arms. Muscles rose on his biceps.

“Did you call her parents?” I asked. The thought struck me with a flash of anxiety.

“No Wi-Fi.” He shrugged. “But I will as soon as it’s back on.”

“I don’t think you should tell them. Catherine seemed scared of them. Especially her dad.”

His smile was humorless. “They’re my clients, Thea. That’s the whole reason I’m here.”

“Well, let me ask you this. If you found out your client was an abusive husband, would you still tell him where his wife was?”

Jonah rubbed the edge of the sink, eyes worried. It felt encouraging that he was listening.

“Just let me talk to Catherine first,” I went on. “Before you do anything.”

“And how are you going to do that? They’re clearly keeping you away from her.”

“Well.” I shrugged. “They want me—us—to stay. So that gives us some leverage, right?”

He nodded slowly. “It could.”

“I’ll tell Moon that I need a one-on-one with Catherine. I think I can convince her to leave with us.”

“What makes you so sure?”

I didn’t know how to explain it, because the answer that arose sounded just as ludicrous as everything Moon and Karen had shared. I felt connected to Catherine; I had since the first day we’d talked at the hospital. She trusted me. I knew, somehow, that if anyone could convince her, it’d be me.

Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud.

“Just wish me luck,” I said instead.

41

After dressing, I went back to the yoga tent and peeked in a window. Sol was crouching beside Ramit, rubbing his back, while Moon held Ramit’s head between her hands, eyes closed, murmuring something. I backed away, disturbed. In the midst of all this, Moon and Sol were still running their retreat. Ramit and Dawne had no idea what was happening here behind closed doors.

“Thea.” Karen walked up to me on the path. “How are you feeling?”

God, I was sick of people asking me that.

“I’m fine.” I said the words coldly.

“Look.” She raised her hands. “I’m sorry that I lied to you. I really am. But my intentions were good. Don’t let your anger at me keep you from staying here.” She paused, her turquoise eyes jumping around my face. “Areyou thinking of staying here?”

“I don’t know.” I cleared my throat. “I’m considering it, but I want to be able to talk to Catherine alone first.”

“Great.” Karen gestured. “Let me take you to her.”

“Really?”

“Yes. If you stay, it needs to be of your own free will. You deserve to have all the info you need.” She continued on the path towards the castle. “Just… maybe don’t tell Moon and Sol.”

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