Hendrickson. It wasn’t by choice, and it wasn’t something I liked to talk about. “Done anything illegal?” “No.” Occasionally breaking the speed limit wouldn’t count. Not with him. “Why don’t you ask me something normal? Like … my favorite kind of music?” “I’m not going to ask what I can guess.” “You do not know the type of music I listen to.” “Baroque. With you, it’s all about order, control. I bet you play … the cello?” He said it like he’d pulled the guess out of thin air. “Wrong.” Another lie, but this one sent a chill rippling along my skin. Who was he really? If he knew I played the cello, what else did he know? “What’s that?” Patch tapped his pen against the inside of my wrist. Instinctively I pulled away. “A birthmark.” “Looks like a scar. Are you suicidal, Nora?” His eyes connected with mine, and I could feel him laughing. “Parents married or divorced?” “I live with my mom.” “Where’s dad?” “My dad passed away last year.” “How did he die?” I flinched. “He was—murdered. This is kind of personal territory, if you don’t mind.” There was a count of silence and the edge in Patch’s eyes seemed to soften a touch. “That must be hard.” He sounded like he meant it. The bell rang and Patch was on his feet, making his way toward the door. “Wait,” I called out. He didn’t turn. “Excuse me!” He was through the door. “Patch! I didn’t get anything on you.” He turned back and walked toward me. Taking my hand, he scribbled something on it before I thought to pull away. I looked down at the seven numbers in red ink on my palm and made a fist around them. I wanted to tell him no way was his phone ringing tonight. I wanted to tell him it was his fault for taking all the time questioning me. I wanted a lot of things, but I just stood there looking like I didn’t know how to open my mouth. At last I said, “I’m busy tonight.” “So am I.” He grinned and was gone. I stood nailed to the spot, digesting what had just happened. Did he eat up all the time questioning me on purpose? So I’d fail? Did he think one flashy grin would redeem him? Yes, I thought.