Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19 "It's not like with Irina." From the backseat of the car, Dan's voice was barely above a whisper. The doctor who had signed off on Dan's chart that morning said there was nothing physically wrong with him, but that he might feel a little woozy from the sedative given to him in the night. "Good food, sunshine, relaxation, that's my prescription," the doctor declared. No, Amy had thought. That won't do it. What Dan needs is to rewind everything, back to a time when Lester was still alive. Looking at her brother's pale, exhausted face, Amy knew exactly what he meant about Irina. Irina had chosen to be part of the Clue hunt. She had known about both the rewards and the risks and had made the deliberate decision to participate despite the potential dangers. She had

died in full knowledge that her death was a consequence of the battle over the Clues. Lester hadn't known any of that. "It's so unfair," Dan said. "All he wanted to do was be helpful." Tears slid out from behind his closed eyelids. "And we never gave him a chance." Tears were rolling down Amy's cheeks, too, but now she cleared her throat. "What do you mean?" she asked. Dan opened his eyes. "We should have told him. That it might be dangerous to help us. We should have given him a chance to decide." He used his T–shirt to wipe his eyes. "We're Madrigals, all right. I mean, we knew that before, but we were thinking we could be different, right? This proves we can't. Lester died, and it was our fault." "But— but we didn't set out to— to kill him. Or anyone! Not even close!" Dan shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Whether we meant to or not, that doesn't change anything for Lester." Amy's insides twisted. The pain in Dan's eyes

mirrored the pain in her own heart— to the nth degree. It was too much to bear. Amy almost choked on the lump in her throat. She had to try twice before she could speak. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she whispered. He nodded. "Yeah," he said. She didn't have to stop to consider it. "Okay." "Okay," he echoed. There was no need for more words. "Airport." Nellie slammed on the brakes. Fortunately, they weren't even out of the parking lot yet. "Airport? What for?" she demanded. Amy was staring out the window. "We're going home," she said hoarsely. "Back to Aunt Beatrice." "WHAT?!" "It's the only way," Dan said. "We're Madrigals. Madrigals hurt people. Even kill them, or at least get them killed. We have to get out of the hunt before it happens again."

The silence that followed lasted for several moments. "You sure about this?" Nellie said at last. "Yes." They spoke in one voice, quietly but without hesitation. Nellie drove onto the road. Dan stared out the car window. My last views of Jamaica… I'm never coming back here again. Then a guilty thought occurred to him. We should go see Miss Alice. He was about to mention it when he saw the sign for the airport exit whiz by. "Hey, that was the turnoff for the airport," he said. "You missed it. But it's okay— I was thinking we should go see Miss Alice before we leave." Amy looked at him sadly. "You're right," she said. "So, Spanish Town instead of the airport," Dan said, wondering what he could possibly say to Miss Alice.

No reply from Nellie. And she wasn't wearing her earbuds. "Nellie?" Amy said. "We want to go see Miss Alice, did you get that?" Nellie pulled her sunglasses off the top of her head and put them on. "I heard you," she said. "Just sit back and relax. You could both use some rest." "But this isn't the right way," Dan said. "Spanish Town is that way—" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, indicating the opposite direction. After another moment or two, it became clear that Nellie had no intention of turning around, and Dan felt his confusion turning into a vague sense of dread. "Where's Lester's box?" he said suddenly. "I told you, it's safe," Nellie replied. He could see Nellie's reflection in the rearview mirror. She gave him a thin little smile. "Don't worry about it," she said. "Remember, the doctor said you should take it easy." "I'll take it easy as soon as you tell me where the

box is," Dan said. Nellie's lips tightened. Then she said, "I'm not answering any more questions. You'll understand everything once we get there." "Get WHERE?" Dan's voice rose. "Where are you taking us?" No answer. Amy must have felt the same panic he did, because now she grabbed the door handle. "Stop the car," she said. "I'm getting out— I'm not going any farther until you tell us what's going on." "Sorry," Nellie said. "This is an express car. No stops until— the terminus." The terminus. The way she said it sounded ominous to Dan. Amy jerked the door handle. The child latch was engaged; they were locked in. "For your own protection," Nellie said. For a wild moment, Dan thought of grabbing the steering wheel or putting his hands over Nellie's eyes— anything to make her stop. But