Chapter 18: At Her Temperature

At six twelve, Qing left White Pine with her helmet and an overnight bag. "You packed three shirts," Su said. "I may need choices, while respecting your privacy." "You wear the same jacket over all of them." "Privacy does not excuse monotony." "Thank you for going." "That sounded sincere. I dislike it." Qing touched two fingers to the doorframe and leaned back in from the alley. "Beacon Hill. Across multiple streets. If he needs help, he should call someone else first. I will need context." "Leave." Qing left. Three minutes later Su's phone vibrated. I HAVE CROSSED TWO MAJOR ROADS. THIS SATISFIES FARTHER. She put the phone facedown beside the register. The pharmacy had been closed for an hour. Upstairs, Evan's canvas bag sat in the spare room among eleven boxes of exam paper, and his toothbrush stood in a glass by the bathroom sink. The thermostat read seventy. It…