“How do you know it’s Gordon?”
He gave me an “Oh, come on” roll of the eyes. “I checked his file—”
“I thought you only had time to look through your own.”
“I had to see what I’m up against. You have to be a loon to dish the dirt on yourself as well as everyone else.”
Or loyal, I thought.
“You know what he used to do before Wisewood?”
I wanted to cut him off, to tell him I didn’t care, but was too curious to walk away.
“He was a private investigator. That story he told about his family during your q1? It was actually true. Some socialite hired him to figure out whether her husband was cheating. She got everything in the divorce, including full custody of the kids. The guy was so pissed he hired two hit men to take Gordon out. Some wires got crossed, and they shot his wife and kid instead. Both of them died a few days later in the hospital.” Jeremiah shook his head. “It’s like a bad Liam Neeson movie.”
“If Gordon snoops on people for a living, how have you not been caught? How has he not made the connection?”
“I’m not sure Rebecca’s told him about her past. He probably doesn’t even know who Gabe was.” Jeremiah watched me, wary. “To be safe, I signed up for Wisewood under a friend’s name. Guy I went to college with. We have the same build, used to get mistaken as brothers all the time. He works in accounting too. Keeps a low profile online.”
My head spun. “Your name isn’t even Jeremiah?” He raised an eyebrow. “What is it, then?”
He pressed his lips together and shook his head. He no longer trusted that I would choose him over Teacher.
I gawked at him. “Does your friend know you’ve stolen his identity?”
His jaw hardened. “As if losing my only sibling wasn’t bad enough, Rebecca ended up with fourteen million dollars of my family’s money. I wouldn’t be surprised if she kept Gabe close all those years to get the cash.”
It’s not true, I told myself. Teacher couldn’t be blamed for inspiring such fervor in the people around her. If they wanted to give their money to her—to Wisewood—that was their choice.
“My family’s success built Wisewood. I feel accountable to the guests here. People are being fooled and robbed. I have to put a stop to it.”
Fooled and robbed—he didn’t believe any of our principles. I had admired this man. He’d helped me plan my classes, let me talk about Mom long after everyone else had grown bored with my grief. I didn’t know a single thing about him, not even his name.
He lowered his voice. “I’ve kept my head down the entire time I’ve been here. I’ve trusted no one, avoided getting close to people. I couldn’t risk getting caught.” He softened. “Then you came along. Despite my better judgment, I let the wall down. You’re a good kid, anyone can see that, so I prayed you wouldn’t be invited to the IC. When you were, I told myself I could watch over you, keep you safe. I was delusional.” He rubbed his face. “Blackmail is one thing—I sat idly by for that—but I can’t watch these monsters mutilate your body. I’m telling you all of this because I care about you, Kit. I won’t let Rebecca hurt you the way she’s hurt my family.”
I stuck out my chin. “She would never.”
“She already has. She’s got you under her spell.”
I was sick and tired of everyone telling me they knew better than I did what was best for me. All Jeremiah cared about was his own preposterous story—he didn’t care whom he hurt to prove it. I thought of Teacher’s demise, Wisewood’s collapse, and felt light-headed.
I checked my watch. “I’m supposed to have lunch with Ruth. We’re going over lesson plans.”
“Please, please don’t out me. I don’t know what she’ll do.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek, then slogged toward the cafeteria, leaving my former friend alone in the cold.
“They’re in alphabetical order,” he called. “Top left drawer of her desk.”
40
Natalie
JANUARY 10, 2020
I REGRET THE words as soon as they’ve left my mouth. How could I be so spiteful? I reach for my sister’s hand, but she pulls away.
“What are you talking about?” Her voice shakes.
“Mom didn’t die unexpectedly,” I say as gently as I can. “She had me set her up with an assisted-dying physician so she could go on her own terms.”