All These Things I've Done (Birthright #1)(88)

A week before the prom, I called Yuji Ono as scheduled. He had arranged for Leo’s transport as he’d said he would. ‘A car will take Leo to a boat that will take him to an island off the coast of Massachusetts. From there, I have arranged for a private plane to take him to Japan.’

‘And in Japan, what waits for him there?’ I hesitated to even ask.

‘I found a very suitable place for him. I think you will be pleased. It’s a Shingon Buddhist monastery in the foothills of Mount Koya. There is a lake with fish in it and many animals. I recall you telling me that your brother has a soft spot for animals. The monks who live there are a peaceful people. They eat fish, but no other meats. And even better, the language barrier will not be a problem for your brother nor will you have to worry about the discretion of the community – most of the monks who live there are under a vow of silence. It is not a harsh lifestyle, and I believe the monks will be very kind to your brother, Anya.’

I closed my eyes. I imagined Leo wearing a sun hat, fishing in a wooden bekabune. The sky and the water were so blue you could barely tell where one ended and the other began.

‘It sounds like paradise. How do you know about such a place?’ I asked.

‘A long time ago, I once thought I should like to stay there myself,’ was Yuji Ono’s reply.

After an endless week that included many secret discussions with both Scarlet and Leo, and my own private worries that Leo’s hiding place might be discovered, the night of the prom finally arrived. Win bought me a corsage with a single white orchid to wear on my wrist. The orchid was lovely but in combination with my black dress the effect was a bit funereal.

‘I didn’t want to get you roses,’ Win explained. ‘Too clichéd for someone like Anya Balanchine.’

‘Have a good time, you two!’ Natty called as she took our picture. She set down the camera. ‘I wish I was going.’

‘Here,’ Win said, setting his hat on Natty’s head. ‘Take care of my hat for me.’

We got to the dance at 8.30. I danced several dances with Win, then I excused myself to the ladies’ room on the third floor, where I was to meet up with Scarlet. Scarlet’s job had been to bring the tuxedo and get Leo dressed.

‘Is Leo in the tux?’ I asked her.

‘Yes,’ Leo answered for her, stepping out from one of the stalls. Leo looked so handsome and grown-up. I almost wished I’d brought my camera to take a picture for Natty, though the impossibility of this should be obvious.

‘Doesn’t he look handsome?’ Scarlet asked.

‘Yes.’ I kissed Leo on the cheek.

‘Are you sure I shouldn’t escort him to the car?’ Scarlet asked. She placed a black hat on Leo’s head so that his face was obscured. ‘Just in case someone out there recognizes you.’

We’d gone back and forth on this point several times and decided that since everyone knew Scarlet had gone to the prom with Gable Arsley, who was wheelchair-bound, it would be better for me to escort Leo to the car. Leo would probably be mistaken for Win, if anyone noticed us at all. ‘No, we’ll be fine. It’s only fifty feet to the car.’

‘Leo, are you ready?’

Leo offered me his arm and I hooked mine through it. ‘Goodbye, Scarlet,’ he called. ‘You look beautiful tonight. Don’t let Gable Arsley be mean to you.’

‘I won’t, Leo. I swear,’ Scarlet said.

We walked down the stairs, past administration, past the gymnasium, where the dance was being held, and past the ticket area. We were almost out the front doors of the school when I heard someone call my name. It was Dr Lau, one of the chaperones that night. I turned to go speak to her, silently praying that Leo would know enough not to follow me.

‘Good news, Anya! I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I wanted to tell you in person that I have just received word that your application to Teen Crime Scene Enrichment Summer has been accepted.’

‘Oh, wow, that’s great,’ I replied. ‘I . . . I’m feeling a little light-headed. Would you mind if we talked about this more later?’

‘Is something the matter, Anya?’ Dr Lau asked.

‘Everything’s fine,’ I replied. ‘I need a little fresh air. I’ll be back in five minutes.’ I pushed open the heavy double doors of the school and pulled Leo through them. We walked down the sidewalk. Three boys in tuxedos were tossing a football around. Girls in long dresses were sitting on the front steps of the school. Chai Pinter was among this group, but she didn’t see me. No paparazzi or reporters in sight, not that it would have mattered if there had been. Leo’s ride was leaving now. There was no time to delay.

As it was a special occasion, several kids had rented cars for the evening. At the end of a row of black limousines, I spotted Leo’s: a black Town Car with a green four-leaf-clover air freshener attached to the rear-view mirror.

We walked the rest of the way at an even pace. No one seemed to see us. Once we were standing by the passenger-side door, I gave Leo a quick peck on the cheek. ‘Have a good trip!’ I said. I thought it best if we avoided any sort of lengthy goodbyes. ‘Oh, hey, would you mind giving me back Daddy’s gun?’

‘Why?’ Leo asked.

‘You won’t be needing it where you’re going.’

Leo removed the gun from the waistband of his trousers, and I put it in my handbag.