Chapter 52

“No,” she replied, flatly.

“But you did,” I reminded her. “Or at least it seemed like you did.”

“I told you I wanted my sister back. That’s not the same thing.” She sighed. The sound speared my gut through the phone line. “Go back home, Jack. Let sleeping dogs lie.”

It was an odd choice of words. Who were the dogs she was referring too? Or was she simply speaking euphemistically? “But―”

“No buts, Jack,” she interrupted. “My sister is dead. You didn’t even know her. I have my memories. Anything you dig up now might change all that. So please, Jack, please just drop it.” There was a plaintive tone to her voice now. It filled me with regret. It filled me with alarm.

“Um, okay, Tess,” I said. “If you say so.”

Her sigh returned. It sounded different now, relaxed, if I wasn’t mistaken. “Thanks, Jack. And safe travels.”

She hung up. I scratched my head. “What the fuck was that?” I said.

My mom entered my bedroom just then. “What the fuck was what?”