Twinepathy (Part 26): A Creeping Suspicion

Hullo, everyone! Ready for another Monday? It feels like I just posted a part… oh, wait, I did! I posted Part 25 on Saturday, so if you missed that, you should go read it, and if you’re new, you should start at the beginning. Enjoy!

Ms. Fabel’s jaw drops. “What…” But she collects herself quicker than anybody I’ve ever seen and gets a firm grip on my arm, glaring at me with a menacing expression. “You’re from that IDIA thing, aren’t you? That Data person already knows everything, so why did she send you?”

My first thought is Denver. But we’re standing in a position that prevents him from seeing my arm. I glance back frantically, but he’s still digging through the car. He must have left his phone at home if he can’t find it. Denver, please… Do I scream? Do I send a panic message to Brooklyn?

Her voice softens a little. “I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to know why you people are invading my life… my privacy. And my friend’s, too. We haven’t done anything wrong. We don’t deserve this.”

I open my mouth, then close it. I sigh. “My sister was knocked unconscious by two people fighting in her brain. One of which was you. But I’m sure you remember that.” I look her in the eye.

Ms. Fabel looks surprised. “Me?” She looks at me and realizes I’m serious. “I’m not a telepath,” she says firmly, and I get the creeping suspicion that she’s telling the truth.

I frown. “But…”

She sighs. “It wasn’t me. I’m not sure what happened, but I wasn’t a part of it. That Data girl knows everything. Why don’t you ask her?”

“Why can’t you tell me yourself?” I counter. The last thing I want to do is go to Jen and ask for information. That would ruin everything, and besides, I’d probably have to admit that I’d been investigating on my own. And I don’t want that to happen.

“I can’t,” she insists. “I’m sworn to secrecy, and it would be too dangerous. I’d never forgive myself if something happened…” She looks past me. “So is he really your brother?”

I turn and see Denver heading back towards us, no phone. I face her. “He is, and he also knows nothing about all of this. Please don’t say anything.” Denver’s within earshot now, and I can only pray she doesn’t say anything.

Denver holds up his empty hands. “No phone. Guess I must have left it at home in the rush to get out the door.” He gives me a pointed look. “I’m sorry we took up so much of your time.”

Ms. Fabel waves a hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll let you know if I find any information. I hope you find the girl’s family.”

“Thank you,” I tell her, my eyes showing her there’s a double meaning to my words. I pull out a slip of paper and write my cell phone number down on it. “You can call me if you hear anything about it.”

“It was nice meeting you, Ms. Fabel,” Denver says, offering her his hand.

She shakes it. “Call me Genesis.” She tilts her head, listening. “It’s too quiet. I’d better go.”

I nod and Denver and I turn to leave. “Have a great day,” I call over my shoulder.

The door closes, and Denver and I head to the car. “That was unsuccessful,” he says, sighing.

I slide into the seat and look out the window. Maybe it was unsuccessful on the Maddie front – like I knew it would be – but it seems to be a little bit of progress on the Brooklyn front. Now I’ve just got to see who this Keller person is.