there.”
“Yes it is,” he said, his eye twitching slightly.
“What should we do?”
“I do not have a plan,” he said.
Jenny eyed the razorwire fence. “I could climb up on the other side. I might heal quickly. The scar on my back is almost totally gone.”
“What?” said Declan, looking at her. “The big gnarled purple scar that stuck out a half inch? It’s just gone?”
“Not totally.”
“Jen...”
“Don’t even say it, Declan. It’s not a sign that I’m getting better. It’s just another reminder of my freakiness.”
“If you say so,” he said. “But you can’t climb the fence.”
“Why not?”
“Because of that.” He pointed off to the side and Jenny saw a prowler come round the corner, carrying a crossbow. “And that,” Declan said, pointing the other way. A woman with a shotgun was perched on a rusty and vine-covered car scoping out the fence. “You might heal faster than most, but I’m guessing that blowing your head off will still do the trick.”
“You could be right,” she said. “Well what’s your suggestion, genius?”
“Do you trust me?”
It caught her off guard. Finally she narrowed her eyes. “Depends,” she said.
“Seriously?”
“I guess I trust you,” she said. “When you’re not pointing a gun at me.”
“I was just being cautious,” he said.
“I trust you.”
“Good. Follow me.” He opened the door and was out of the car and walking toward the gate before Jenny knew what was happening.
“Shit,” she said. She followed him, running to catch up. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Put your sunglasses on and act sad.”
She fished in her pocket for her glasses. “Why am I sad?” She slipped them on her face.
“Because you just lost your sister.”
Tyler had his back turned as they approached. When he turned around he stared at Jenny.
“Hey, T,” said Declan.
“The fuck is this?” said Tyler, not taking his eyes from Jenny. “I was at your funeral.”
“This is Jenny’s sister,” said Declan, so calm, even Jenny almost believed him.
Jenny nodded at him. “Hey. I’m...Anna. You can close your mouth.”
“What are you, a twin or something?” said Tyler. He looked at Declan. “I thought I was seeing a ghost for a minute. Goddamn, Munro. You could warn me.”
“Yeah, I’ll just whip out my cell phone and text you. And then we can meet for brunch on Saturday.”
“Fuck you, Munro,” said Tyler. Declan grinned.
“Sully’s holding some of Jenny’s stuff for, er, Anna here. We’re just picking it up.”
“It’s late,” said Tyler. “I’m not supposed to let anybody but vendors in right now.”
“Come on, T,” said Declan. “You know me. And Jen’s sister wants to get out of Chicago tomorrow. I could owe you one.”
“Shit, Munro,” said Tyler, breaking into a smile. “I’m just messing with you.” He looked at Jenny and his face fell. “I’m real sorry about your sister. She was a kickass dame.”
“Dame?” said Jenny.
“Y’all can go where you please, you know that, Munro. But something weird’s going on with Sully. He hasn’t been around much since...you know.” He glanced at Jenny. “Since she died. I think he was pretty broken up.”
Jenny coughed to hide the humorless laugh that tumbled out. Fucking Sully.
“We know where to look,” said Declan. “Thanks, man.”
Declan veered off, giving her a nod. Expo was a different place after hours. Without all the people it looked like an abandoned flea market. A few vendors were chatting with each other here and there, sitting on the ground and leaning against tables. Most were in their tents or shelters. Jenny slipped into Sully’s tent unseen.
It wasn’t empty.