Chapter 9: Past the Landing

"Nowhere you'd know," Cal called back across the folding chairs.

"I know every ring in this city, Mr. Marek," Stahl said.

"Then you'll find it."

Stahl smiled at him, and he put on his coat and left with his two bodyguards and without his fruit.

Dad took the basket out to the alley, and Finn took it back in and ate a pear.

That night the house was empty.

Dev was at camp with the hand therapist, Dad was at the gym, and Finn was out collecting on a bet.

I sat on the second stair of the front hall with my hand in my lap and let my shoulders curl in.

"I'm still shaken," I told the ceiling.

Cal came out of the kitchen with a towel over his arm.

"Let me see it again."

"It's fine."

"Give it here."

I put my hand in his. He turned it over and pressed along every bone a second time, and a third.

"He wanted to find out if you were hurt," Cal said.

"I was."

"He wanted to find out if you were hiding it."

I took my hand back. "Why would I hide it?"

"I don't know," Cal said. "It's a good question."

He looked at me for a while, and I looked at the banister.

"I'll carry you up," he said.

"Stairs only," I said. "It's the policy."