Page 26 of Dead to Me

“I don’t remember.”

I nodded.

“That's a shame.”

“Why?”

“No reason.”

China watched me for another second, then smiled.

“Good night.”

“Good night.”

She left. I waited until I heard her door close, then locked mine.

The burner phone buzzed in the duffel. I pulled it out. Same unknown number.

NOW YOU KNOW.

I typed back for the first time.

WHO ARE YOU?

The reply popped up right away.

THE PERSON WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY DID. AND REASON YOU'RE A FREE WOMAN

I stared at the screen.

Another message followed.

IF YOU WANT THE REST, COME TO THE PARKING GARAGE. LEVEL FOUR. 11:30. ALONE.

I checked the time.

10:57 p.m. That left me thirty-three minutes. I unzipped the duffel bag. I pulled out a black wig. I glanced at the three names on my list.

For the first time since I got home, I wondered if three names were enough. I folded the paper and tucked it into my purse. And if whoever was texting me was telling the truth, that was only the beginning.

I turned off the lamp. I headed downstairs.

Milan

At 11:28, the fourth floor of the parking garage was almost empty. A black SUV was parked by the elevator. Two sedans were parked along the far wall. A white car waited under a flickering fluorescent light.

Nothing was moving. I stepped out of the stairwell and let the door close quietly behind me. The black wig made me look more different than I expected.

It wouldn’t trick anyone standing nearby, but it was enough to make a quick look less useful. I had changed into jeans, sneakers, and a dark sweatshirt.

I waited by the concrete wall.

Then the clock read 11:30. Then 11:31, Still nothing.

I glanced at the elevator. Still nothing. I hated waiting when someone else decided the timing. I slipped my hand into my pocket and gripped the burner phone.

At 11:32, it started to vibrate.