Page 34 of Destiny

“Right…”

“I think, Ava, that you might be the key to all of this.”

I don’t reply to Dad because I’m realizing that I’ve known this the whole time. I’ve only just now allowed the words to come together in my own head. Darth Morgen. Grandmother. The acrostic that says Wendy Madigan. Pat Lamone. The Murphys.

Brendan.

The woman inside that room is the key.

And perhaps I’m the key tothatkey.

Why did she choose me? I may never know.

But perhaps it’s the same reason why my maternal grandmother thought I was an old soul. Maybe there’s something about me that speaks to Wendy Madigan.

If I’m going to find out why she’s come back into our lives now, why Uncle Talon was shot and then poisoned, we need to get her to communicate.

And yes.

I am that key.

Chapter Eleven

Brendan

When Dad and I arrive at the Foster Diagnostics at ten a.m. sharp, Jack is already there.

“Hello, Brendan, Sean,” he says, holding out his hand.

Dad and I both shake Jack’s hand, and then sit down.

“They’ll be with us soon.”

“Good,” I say, “and after this, we need you to come with us to another clinic.”

Jack raises his eyebrows.

“Ava’s mother, Ruby Steel, is an ex-cop and a private detective. She has labs she works with that will get us the results within twenty-four hours.”

“Why would we need two results?” Jack asks.

“Just to be sure,” I say. “It doesn’t hurt to be sure, right?”

“I suppose not.” Jack fiddles with his phone. “That’s fine. I’ll go with you.”

“I’ll text the address to you.”

He nods, and seconds later, we’re called back individually for our blood draws.

“Do we have an appointment at the other place?” Jack asks.

“We don’t need one,” I say. “We’ll see you there in a few.”

Tucker Madden tightens the rubber band around my upper arm to get my veins to pop out. His lab, so to speak, is in the basement of his small house. A wine rack sits along the back wall, but other than that, it’s all science geek stuff down here.

“How’s Ruby doing?” he asks.

That’s a loaded question. Ryan and Ruby are a big mess. “She’s good,” I say.

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