“Kai . . .” I touched his arm.
“No. I’m sorry, luv, but kids are not my dream. Especially girls.”
“Okay,” I whispered. I scooted closer and ran a hand down his forearm. “Let’s try to get a little sleep.”
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
I rolled over so we could spoon once more, gently pulling him down to lie behind me. I felt his breath on my hair.
“Are you angry with me?” he whispered.
I quickly flipped over to face him, saying, “No, Kai.” I placed my hand on his scruffy cheek. “I understand your feelings. It was only supposed to be for fun.”
I gave him a peck on the lips and he searched my eyes.
He sounded so sad when he said, “I ruined your dream.”
“No, you didn’t. We’re gonna face our future together, and that’s more than I ever thought I’d have. I love you.”
I kissed him again and finally felt him soften.
“Let’s rest,” I said. “We have to be back at Patti’s by eight for breakfast.”
I kissed him one last time before rolling over and feeling his heat against my back as he reached around my waist and pulled me closer.
As I drifted to sleep, from a state of semiconsciousness I heard him whisper, “You’re my dream. My only dream.”
Seven o’clock came waaay too early. And then it took us forever to get out of bed. Kaidan totally started it, but I can’t say I was eager to end it. He was flying back to California that afternoon, and I didn’t know when I’d see him again. We clung to each other, desperate for every touch. We were running so late that we only had time for me to take a shower. We hurried to Patti’s so the nine of us could have this morning together before it was time to go our separate ways.
The mood in the house was somber when we got there. Marna and Jay wouldn’t unlink fingers. Patti’s eyes were red, but she held back any tears, trying to cheer us all with omelets and potato cakes. I went straight to the coffee maker, pouring two cups for Kaidan and me—his black, mine creamy and sweet. He took his coffee from me graciously, and as we sipped I ran my eyes over his five o’clock shadow and messy hair, disheveled from sleep and my fingers.
He caught me looking, and I stared down into my mug and smiled.
The others discussed their plans. Blake was flying the twins to D.C. at ten, then Zania and Kopano to Boston. He offered Kaidan a ride back to California, but Kai had a flight booked to Atlanta at noon. He had to retrieve Richard Rowe’s ashes and sign estate paperwork giving permission for everything to be sold.
It was time to say our good-byes. Watching Marna leave Jay was heartbreaking. It took Kope’s strong arm around Marna to get her to leave.
I stood silently in the foyer with Kaidan, Patti, and Jay as the others drove away.
“We were lucky to have this time together, weren’t we?” Jay asked.
“Very,” I whispered.
Patti rubbed his back for a second before giving him a small, sad smile and slipping into the kitchen.
Kaidan cleared his throat and looked at Jay. “So . . . got any new tracks for me to hear? Stuff by you?”
“I do have one. . . .” The two of them walked toward the family room, talking music, and I went to help Patti with the dishes.
She was scrubbing and rinsing, but kept leaning her head down to wipe her eyes on the shoulder of her shirt. She gave me a watery smile.
“Lordy, I’m a mess. Can’t stop crying lately.”
“It’s okay.”
Patti reached for me the second I sidled up beside her, wet hands and all. I went into her arms, breathing in her comforting oatmeal scent.
“I love you so much,” she said, still holding me tight. “Thank you for bringing everyone here and letting me be a part of it.”
Just as I opened my mouth to respond, a dark spot crept into the side of my vision, near the window. Panicked adrenaline flooded my system. I jumped back from Patti, causing her to yelp, but when I ran to the window there was nothing there.
Kaidan rushed in, scanning the room. I took a deep breath to calm my frayed nerves, then signed, I thought I saw something, but I was wrong. It was probably a cloud or a bird.
His lips tightened. I’m going to check, he signed.
Jay came in with a worried look and he put his arm protectively around Patti. I motioned for them to stay where they were. If there were whisperers here, we were all busted. We had no good reason to be together.
Kaidan went out the front door and I inspected all of the rooms, looking out the windows. Nothing. Kai came back in and shook his head. I let out a relieved breath.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’m paranoid.”
“You have every right to be,” Patti said. Still holding Jay’s arm, she led him into the family room.
Kai and I studied each other, both of us tense and edgy. Switzerland was six hours ahead of us. The Dukes could be headed back to their homelands now. The whisperers could have been spiriting around the world for hours already.
Kaidan signed, You’re sure you didn’t see anything?A dark spot, I signed. It was gone so fast, like a blur. They usually . . . I didn’t know the sign for linger, so I spelled it out. I could see the pulsing in his temples as he ground his teeth together.
He’d be leaving in just over an hour, and then I’d go back to campus. Classes would start in a couple days. We’d continue living our facades until it was time to act.
The four of us stayed together in the living room, surrounded by a worrisome tension. We turned on the television.
Patti gasped and sat up straight, pointing the remote at the television to turn up the volume. Big Rotty’s picture was on the screen. We all sat on the edge of our seats, staring at the news report. A D.C. officer came on.
“We’re not sure what the motives of the perpetrator might be, but this is not the work of an amateur. Body theft is a serious, rare crime. Psychologists on the force warn that the person or persons who generally commit this type of crime are not mentally stable. If you have any news about the theft of the body of James F. Cooper, known to the world as Big Rotty, please contact the authorities immediately. Do not approach the suspects on your own.”
“Oh my gosh,” I whispered.
Big Rotty’s mom was on-screen next. She had long, elaborate weaves of curls around her made-up face, and she didn’t look sad like I’d expected. She was glowing. “I got my own theory. I don’t think my boy’s dead. Mm-mm.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I think he planned all this. He pulled a Machiavelli, and now he at some island living the good life!” She laughed with pride, like her son had hoodwinked the world.
“Wow . . . ,” Jay said.
“I still can’t believe he chose that body,” I said. “He’s always so careful about every detail.”
“He’s got a lot on his mind,” Patti said.