The Remedy (The Program 0.5)(36)

This is a terrible idea, I shouldn’t reach out, but she’s already part of this. I’M HERE TO HELP, I type, deciding to follow my gut. YOUR SUPPORT COULD ONLY ASSIST IN YOUR PARENTS’ RECOVERY PROCESS.

DROP DEAD.

She signs off, and I’m left with a sting as if she slapped me. I look around my room, humbled, but then my temper flares. Angie doesn’t mean it, but there comes a point when you have to stop making excuses for people. The fact is, Angie isn’t just lashing out at me; she’s being cruel to our parents. I know my mother has been trying to call her, but she won’t answer. Angie isn’t part of this assignment, and I think that was a mistake. She may have accepted her loss, but to what end? She’s closed off and angry. If she doesn’t get some kind of help, this could lead to destructive and dangerous behavior. I’ve seen it. And our parents need her. I have to make her understand that.

I glance at the computer screen, noticing the original e-mail again. A crazy and completely deranged idea pops into my head. I have to see her, and both she and Isaac will be at that place tonight. Maybe I could be there too. I’d keep my distance, but I could observe them with their friends, use that to figure out how to get inside their heads. It’s not lost on me that my sister was right: Closers do manipulate people. Going to the Warehouse would be totally wrong.

Which is why I can’t tell Aaron. Even if he doesn’t report me, who’s to say it won’t come out when Marie debriefs us later? I can’t trust him with this—even if he’s my partner. I bite my lip, reading over the e-mail again, nervousness bubbling up. Can I really spy on my sister, involve her in this assignment, without Marie’s permission?

I run my fingers through my short hair, and take out my phone. I NEED YOU TONIGHT, I text. My phone rings immediately.

“Well, this escalated quickly,” Deacon says, sounding amused. I laugh, comforted by his voice. Normally I wouldn’t talk to him while I’m on assignment—it certainly pulls me out of my role—but he’s the perfect person to ask for help. Since we’re no longer partners, Deacon won’t be subjected to an interview after this assignment. There’s no reason for Marie to find out we interacted at all. And if anyone knows how to manipulate a situation, it’s certainly my ex-boyfriend.

“There’s a meet-up at place called the Warehouse,” I tell him. “Know it?”

“Yeah,” he answers. “It’s a bar in Portland. Why?”

I pull up my knees and hug them to my chest. “Don’t judge me,” I start, making him chuckle. “But this assignment has gotten complicated. I need your help figuring some things out.” Deacon’s good at digging, seeing the small details others miss. We’ve collaborated before, especially when we worked together. He was always able to help.

“Of course,” he says. “But I have to point out that you’re asking me to drive up to Lake Oswego to take you to some sketchy dive bar in the city. What’s going on?”

“Hey, I thought you weren’t going to judge!”

“Didn’t agree to that,” he says quickly. “But let’s just call this curiosity if it makes you feel better. Why do you want to go there?”

I sigh, knowing there’s no way to dodge his question again. “I’m going to observe a nonclient. Which is why this is off the record.”

The line is silent for a moment, and I don’t provide more details. If Deacon wants to know the rest, he’ll have to come here. When the quiet goes on too long, I groan. “Deacon, are you in or not? I can just call Aaron.”

“No you can’t,” he says. “Aaron’s out of town. Besides, he’s already got me researching something, so he’s a little tied up. And Jesus, Quinn. When have I ever told you no?”

“Wait.” I drop my feet to the floor. “What do you mean Aaron’s out of town? Since when?”

Deacon blows out a breath. “Don’t know. Since you left, I guess. He told me yesterday morning he’d be out of touch for a while. Didn’t want to talk about it.”

“Seriously?” I sit back against the chair, a bit stunned. Aaron didn’t tell me he was going anywhere. Why wouldn’t he have mentioned that? What if I need him? “Does Marie know?” I ask Deacon.

“Not sure.”

This is crazy. Aaron has never abandoned me on assignment, not even when he was deep in his own role-play. I think a minute, running over my conversation with my father. This assignment was an emergency, a last-minute case that Arthur Pritchard sanctioned. What if they asked the same of Aaron?

“Do you think this has anything to do with Arthur Pritchard?” I ask Deacon.

“Naw,” he responds. “Aaron’s probably just taking a breather with Myra. Don’t worry, Quinn. I’ve got your back. What do you need from me, other than a ride?” he adds.

I’m not comfortable with the idea of Aaron being MIA, but I notice the time on my computer and force myself to focus on my assignment again. “Will you come with me tonight?” I ask.

“Sounds super-not-fun, but yes.”

“Thanks,” I say, smiling. “I’ll text you my address. Meet me here at about eleven? I’ll have to sneak out.”

“Wow, you’re full of bad ideas,” he says. When I tsk, he apologizes. “Yes, I’ll be there.”