Page 71 of Crush
Aiko leans forward. “There was something in there?”
“The spreadsheet.”
Her brows furrow.
“Only the spreadsheet. Like it was laid out to be found.”
“Okay, but what is it?”
“Drugs, I think.”
Aiko freezes midway to reaching for another pastry. “Hang on—what?”
“Yeah.” I flop back into my seat, staring at the wilted roses surrounding us. “This one had an extra column listing ingredients. I looked them up this morning, and they match up to laced opioids. All those locations? They’re for picking up items at each location for precursor chemicals. Equipment from Raven’s Buzz, chemical binding agents from the clothes boutique, cocaine from the shipping docks. We can assume it’s combined to make a potent drug at another location, then sold and distributed…” I trail off, unable to finish the thought.
Aiko does it for me. “You think Malcolm has the spreadsheet because he’s the import/export guy, and Damion has it because he’s THE drug guy, and Savannah—Savannah what? What’s her role?”
“I’m pretty sure you know,” I whisper.
“She was tracking them? Like hiding in the bushes in wait and documenting what she saw? No.” Aiko laughs, then slumps over. “No way—not Savvy. She’s not a private eye like you are, okay? She sees a spider and faints.”
I roll my lips together, debating my next point.
“What? What is it, Ember? Tell me.”
“I can see it two ways.” I take a deep breath. “Either Savannah was recording the activities of Damion’s drug business in order to take it to the authorities, or she had the same spreadsheet they did because she was…” I wince as I finish, “helping them.”
“Helping them?” Aiko bursts from her chair. “Nuh-uh, Ember. Savvy is the nicest, most caring, most law-abiding person on the planet. She’d never—how would she even? Are you saying she’s giving out drugs at school?”
I try suggesting, “Maybe for the Societies,” but Aiko’s too far gone to hear me.
“You’re accusing her of something impossible—my missing sister! How could you even say something like that? After everything I’ve told you about her.” Aiko rubs her face, then tips her head to the top of the glass atrium. “Maybe this isn’t your fault. You never knew her. All you understand are people’s stories about her. God knows what Thorne’s told you. She’s not a criminal. Her disappearance isn’t her fault. That’s what you’re saying. That she caused her own kidnapping.”
“Aiko, no. I’m not saying that. I’m telling you what I found out last night.”
“Well, what does Zeke think?”
My shoulders go rigid. My gaze drops to my plate.
“He knew her, too. Does he believe this crap?”
“I … I don’t know.”
“You didn’t ask him? Why?”
Aiko’s questions hit me like open wires against my temple, electric, uncontrolled, and painful. “Aiko, a lot happened last night. Zeke—”
“Oh, yeah? Does it have to do with why a scarf’s tied like a noose around your neck?”
My eyes shoot up.
Aiko’s attention doesn’t stray from the red marks on the side of my neck. “You fooled around with him again, didn’t you?”
I swallow, waiting for her to meet my eye. When she does—“Yes.”
Aiko releases a wet huff, her expression wrinkling with betrayal. “That’s why you’re trying to ruin Savvy’s reputation. Because you’ve fallen in with him. Don’t you see it? Thorne’s fucking with you, Ember! He wants you to do this—to sneak around his home and find evidence that he plants in order to take suspicion off him. God, I can’t believe you’re this stupid.”
“Excuse me?” I push to my feet. Slowly. “I can understand you’re upset, but don’t go after my actions like I’m purposely out to hurt you. I’m trying to help you and find your stepsister. And look at this!” I yank Savannah’s pendant from my pants pocket. So much for gently revealing it to her over coffee and croissants. It dangles between us, the words Yours Forever shining sharp in the bright overhead light. “Savannah had this hidden away in her closet, so I don’t think it was from Thorne. I’m sorry that what I’ve found doesn’t line up with your vision of her, but—”