“I can get it.”
“If something changes,” I said, handing it to him, “call me.”
He tucked the paper into his pocket. “Bring the money.”
Then he walked away. I stood there, shaking.
***
When I finally made it home, I locked the door and called my older brother, Ethan.
He answered on the second ring.
“Mara? What’s wrong?”
“I think I found Lily,” I said, my voice trembling.
There was silence for one heartbeat.
“Bring the money.”
Then Ethan said firmly, “Start from the beginning.”
So I did.
When I finished, he spoke calmly. “You are not meeting that man alone.”
“I knew you’d say that. So, what’s the plan?”
The plan was settled between us slowly.
“Tomorrow,” Ethan said softly, “we find out the truth. But don’t hold your breath, sis.”
