DR. NEWTON’S CONFRONTATION WITH EMMET DOYLE had rattled him. All day he watched the clock, let his classes essentially run wild, and kept willing the hours to move faster. When the last bell finally rang, he let out a huge sigh of relief. He herded the last student out the door to his classroom and shut it, leaving himself alone. Fishing his phone from his pocket, he placed a call. Someone picked up after two rings, but there was no greeting. This is how the calls always went.

“There is a problem,” he said into the phone. “We need to meet. The usual place in ninety minutes.” The person on the other end never spoke, did not make a sound of any kind. The call was disconnected, and he stuffed the phone back into his pocket and grabbed his battered briefcase.

“If they only knew,” he muttered. Dr. Newton burst out of the room and scurried down the hallway, making a beeline for his car in the faculty parking lot. It took him a little longer to open the doors and get seated inside with only one good arm. After the accident he had purchased a new Lexus. These displays of wealth were all part of the plan.

His drive through the Florida City streets was cautious and deliberate. The traffic was light, but he drove just below the speed limit, checked his mirror carefully, and doubled back several times to be sure he wasn’t being followed. Dr. Newton was nothing if not careful.

Finally, he maneuvered the car through a mostly empty industrial park and came to a stop at an underpass beneath the freeway. He removed a small pair of binoculars from his briefcase and quickly scanned the surrounding area. There was no sign of surveillance, or of anyone watching.

Five minutes later a large black sedan pulled up next to the Lexus. The tinted windows obscured the driver. Dr. Newton lowered his window all the way, but the other driver only cracked theirs slightly. Just enough to hear what Dr. Newton had to say.

“Emmet Doyle might be a problem,” Dr. Newton said.

“Define problem,” the other driver replied.

“He confronted me in school today. Asked about my arm. He was … angry,” Dr. Newton said.

“And how is this a problem?” the mysterious driver asked.

“You don’t understand. He’s smart and … determined. If he starts nosing around —”

“If he starts nosing around,” the driver interrupted, “we will take action. Until then, keep an eye on him. If it seems like he’s putting his nose where it doesn’t belong … remove it.”

“No. You aren’t hearing me. This could ruin everything. Taking his father changed the dynamic. It could lead to —”

The driver interrupted. “We’re talking about a twelve-year-old. I don’t see why this is a problem, and I don’t understand why you felt the need to tell me this in person. That can ruin everything. Keep an eye on the kid. Remember how much time and effort we have invested here. Don’t mess this up.”

The driver’s window rose into place with a click. In a few seconds the car was gone. Dr. Newton watched until it vanished from sight, then drove to his home. Along the way he was doubly cautious. Checking his rearview mirror, studying the side streets, and looking for anything suspicious. He saw nothing.

When he arrived at his home, he pulled into the garage. This time he did not hit the door.