. She kept thinking of Rodriguez. She had already seen him once in secret, and now she wanted to see him ag

. Something that would not make her mom ask too many questions. She opened her door slowly and

here are

called. She wants me to come over for a while

hen door. "It's already late. Can't

's kind of upset. I think she needs someone to ta

ded slowly. "Fine. But

. Thank

r hands trembled a little as she started the engine. S

ar is on

locks away, where the black car waited. She

ering what Rodriguez would say. He hadn't promised

s. The house behind them looked even bigger than last ti

ock. Rodriguez stood there in a bla

he said with

ed. "I had

ooked expensive. Big paintings, soft lights, glass and gold everywhere. She follow

ing out like this," he sa

im. "Maybe. But you lik

"You think y

oser. "I thin

ain. He picked it up, spoke in a differen

ou're always talking

ded. "

ia s

small smile. "You should

lice are looking for someone. A man involve

dow. "They always look. Sometimes they

ver to him. "Is it true?

es

the one handling the case? He's

maybe you should be careful.

don't loo

sn't chang

e touched his arm gently. "I don'

. "Go home, Alice. You sho

ed slowl

driver again.

She got into the car and looked back at the ho

bed. She tiptoed upstairs, changed into her p

phone buzzed. She looked at the screen.

alled back. He a

ing soon,

ing w

stay here anymore. If you

out of bed.

. She left a note on her bed, just in case her mom

e road, something s

close. She tried to ignore it, bu

rply, and tried to lose the

, somewhere with people. But before she could reach o

ey looked serious. One

ith us,

head. "No. Wha

is hard," a vo

t of trying to fight off these people, whoever they were, and then she realized i

but the man pulled her out of t

came. She was pushed into the back

hey were going. She did