“That text could have been sent by her captors.”

“Yeah. I’m still working on getting her home address. That girl sure as hell wasn’t giving it to me.”

I fell silent, chasing another thought, and then said, “Over the drop-in center. She said her apartment is on the second floor.”

“Good,” he said. “We’ll check that as soon as you’re up to it. In the meantime, just tell me what legwork you need done. I can do the online stuff, too, but I did bring your laptop. It’s over there with a bag of clothing.”

“Laptop. I left that in … Shit! My car!”

“It’s at Gabriel’s office, along with his.”

Gabriel looked taken aback. “Thank you. I didn’t even consider that.”

“I know. Mental confusion, right? It’s handled. As is …” He took two cell phones from his pocket. “Your boss bought you a new phone, Liv.”

Gabriel frowned at him.

Ricky held up two credit cards. “I fetched these from the front desk. There’s a charge on the Amex for both phones. I set it up with your provider by impersonating you.”

“And me?” I asked.

“Yep, impersonated you, too.”

I smiled and took the phone.

“You just need to download your backups,” he said. “Please tell me you have backups.”

“We do,” I said. Then I pulled him into a hug. “Thank you.”

“I knew you’d want to be up and running as soon as you could. Gabriel handled nurse duty; I did this. I also updated Rose on the situation and she went over to feed TC. Oh, and I know you lost your wallet in the river, so just make a list of what you need replaced and I’ll make the calls before you get out.”

“Before tonight?”

“You’re not getting released today, Liv.”

I made a noise that meant, We’ll see about that, but just thanked and hugged him again for all he’d done.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Gabriel went home around ten to shower and shave. At noon he was back with lunch. One of the nurses smelled the food, and came in, as if to give us shit for it. Seeing Gabriel, she turned and walked out. Evidently, he’d made an impression.

After lunch, Ricky had a class. Gabriel and I were on our laptops, catching up on two lost days as we talked about Aunika and our next steps.

“Working?” said a voice from the doorway. “Didn’t you just fall in a river?”

“No rest for the wicked,” I said. “As you can see, we’re very busy. Thanks for coming by, leave the flowers at the door … Oh, no. Wait. You didn’t bring me flowers. You brought … a book? If it’s from your library, I’m not really in any shape for literary visions.”

Patrick walked over. “I know, which is why I brought you one that is pure entertainment.”

“And while normally I’d say that’s very sweet and actually quite considerate, I have the feeling …” I took the book from him and read the cover. “It’s one of yours.”

“How else can I guarantee it’s any good?”

I snorted and set it aside. “The door is behind you.”

“I came all the way to Chicago—and brought you a book—and you’re kicking me out?”

“You came because you’re wondering what happened and want to find out before the other elders. If you came bearing a useful gift, we could negotiate. But a copy of your own book earns you this much: Gabriel and I were pushed off a bridge. We survived. We don’t know who did it, but we intend to find out.”

“I think a copy of my book is at least worth the true version. You were pushed; Gabriel jumped.”

“What?” I looked over at Gabriel.

“He jumped after you, Liv.” A satisfied smile spread across Patrick’s face. “Did you expect anything less?”

“How would you know that?” Gabriel said, rising.

“I know you,” Patrick said.

“Wait,” I said. “So you did jump—”

Footsteps sounded outside the door, a shadow stretching in. Then a voice said, “Ms. Jones has reached the maximum number of visitors, sir.”

A man’s murmur, too low for me to identify. Before Gabriel made it halfway to the door, the nurse said, “Briefly, please. She really does need her rest.”

“Of course. I appreciate your understanding.”

Now I recognized the voice. Patrick tilted his head as if he did, too, but couldn’t quite place it.

The newcomer walked in carrying flowers and a perfectly wrapped basket of fruit and chocolate. Then he saw Patrick and stopped.

“Ioan,” Patrick said, walking toward him. “How long has it been?”

“Not nearly long enough.”

Patrick lowered his voice. “Everyone says that. You’ll need to do better if you want to insult me.” He took the flowers and basket. “Thank you so much. Liv will appreciate these. It’s too bad you can’t stay, but we have a lovely parting gift for you.” He handed Ioan the book. “It’s a ripper.”

Ioan looked down. “Is this … your book?”

“One of them. It’s signed to Liv, but you can scratch that out and write in your name. Oh, and if you can leave a five-star review on Goodreads, I’d appreciate it.”

Ioan set the book down. “I’m here to talk to Olivia. Alone, please.” His gaze flicked to Gabriel. “If you would take your epil—”