THINGS HAPPENED FAST. CALVIN CALLED HIS MOM, AND she and Emmet’s dad arrived about thirty minutes later, both trying to look like they were calm. Like they hadn’t just rushed to the house as fast as they could. As soon as she walked in the door, Emmet sensed that Dr. Geaux and Calvin’s great-uncle were … not exactly unfriendly, but maybe they didn’t send each other birthday cards, either.

He remembered her telling him that it had been difficult for her and Calvin’s dad when they were first married. Dr. Geaux was not a Seminole, and Lucas Geaux’s family had difficulty with that fact. Emmet found it hard to think that anyone wouldn’t welcome Dr. Geaux into their family, but he also knew families were complicated sometimes.

“Hello, Yaha,” she said. Her voice was wary.

“Hello, Rosalita,” the old man said. “You look well.” Apollo jumped off his lap, and Yaha stood.

“It’s been a long time,” she said. “This is Dr. Benton Doyle, and this is his son, Emmet.”

“I have had the pleasure of speaking to Emmet while we waited for you,” Yaha said. “Dr. Doyle, it’s nice to meet you.” He nodded at Dr. Doyle but stood there with his hands behind his back, kind of stiff and unmoving. It was all very odd.

Dr. Geaux waited for a few moments, as if she was waiting for Yaha to speak, but he seemed content to stand in the middle of the living room and stare at everyone. Nobody said anything, until Apollo suddenly seemed to realize that Emmet’s dad was there and went over and yipped in greeting. Dr. Doyle knelt and scratched him behind the ears. Somehow it broke the ice.

“Why are you here, Yaha?” Dr. Geaux asked.

“I am here to help,” he said.

“Help? Help who? With what?” Emmet and his dad were watching them talk, their heads going back and forth like they were observing a tennis match. Calvin was standing by the far end of the couch, squirming. Emmet had never seen him squirm before. It was like Calvin couldn’t find something to comfortably stare at. His eyes traveled all over the room, but he wasn’t looking at anyone.

“With the one who calls himself Dr. Catalyst,” he said.

Dr. Geaux and Dr. Doyle were taken aback.

“You have information about Dr. Catalyst?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said. “I do. In fact, I know who he is.”

Dr. Geaux didn’t react like Emmet expected. He thought she might take Calvin’s uncle somewhere to have him interrogated. But she just crossed her arms, and her face took on an expression that was hard to describe. Like she didn’t trust him. Or like she resented him for standing in her house right now. Emmet couldn’t be sure.

“So tell me, Yaha. Who is Dr. Catalyst?”

“You might want to sit down,” he said.

“I’ll stand, thank you,” she said.

“Very well. This will be hard for you to understand,” he said.

“Try me,” she said.

“What I am about to tell you, I have told no one except Calvin, when he came to visit me on the reservation,” he said.

Dr. Geaux tried not to show anything, but the disappointment on her face could not be hidden. Emmet saw Calvin sag from the corner of his eye. Dr. Geaux stood up straighter, putting her hands on her hips. Her eyes bored into Calvin, but he looked down at the floor.

“Look at me,” she said.

He did.

“You did this? You went to the rez to see Yaha?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Calvin mumbled.

“Why?”

“Because I had to know,” he said.

“Know what?” Dr. Geaux was almost trembling. Emmet couldn’t tell if she was mad or nervous or what. His dad reached out and put his hand on her shoulder.

“I had to find out if Dr. Catalyst was … is … my grandfather,” Calvin said.

Dr. Geaux sat down.