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There was a slightdelay before Hannah replied.
“Sorry,” she said,“just needed a moment to step outside onto the balcony. Kat may be in thebathroom but that doesn’t mean she can’t hear me.”
“You have thingsto share that you don’t want her to hear?” Jessie asked.
“I don’t need herhaving something else to fixate on,” Hannah said. “If she hears me whisperingto you, it’ll just set her off.”
“You know thatshe’s aware that you’re keeping me apprised of what’s going on with her,right?”
“Of course,”Hannah said. “But it’s one thing to know it. It’s another to hear quietmurmuring and know it’s about you.”
“Fair enough,”Jessie conceded. “So what can you tell me?”
“Well, I’m goingto keep it quick because it’s freezing out on this balcony and I left my coffeeinside. But the short version is: I’m worried, Jessie. Kat is totally obsessedwith Ash Pierce.”
“Still?” Jessieasked.
"She may haveaccepted that it was Mark Haddonfield's manifesto which led to Mitch gettingshot, not some secret order from Pierce. But she's still fixated on the ideathat Pierce is faking her amnesia, and she's intent on proving it. For therecord, I'm not sure she's wrong."
“Me either,”Jessie said. “But I think we’d both agree that it’s not the best outlet forher—to be consumed with investigating the woman who tried to torture and murderher. It doesn’t feel like the most healthy use of her time. Has she mentionedany of this to Dr. Lemmon?”
“She said that shedidn’t,” Hannah told her. “Apparently she’s more comfortable confiding in methan a mental health professional, which seems…not great.”
“I’m sorry thatburden has been put on you, Hannah,” Jessie said. “Hopefully I can share itsoon. I was hoping to come by tonight or maybe tomorrow, depending on how thiscase goes.”
"I appreciatethat, but I'm good for now," her sister said. "I may actually have anidea about how to help her out a bit. You stay focused on your case. Butremember, when I start up with school again, this will all be on you."
“You want to tellme about your helping hand idea?” Jessie asked, trying to hide herapprehension. Sometimes when Hannah decided to help, she ended up puttingherself in harm’s way.
“Not just yet,”Hannah said cryptically. “I’ll let you know if it amounts to anything.”
Jessie fought backthe intense desire to push the issue. Her sister had gone her entire firstsemester of college without incident. Despite her checkered decision-makinghistory, she deserved the benefit of the doubt.
“How are youdoing?” Jessie finally asked. “I know this has been a lot for you.”
"I'mtired," Hannah admitted, "but I feel like being here for Kat has madea difference, so it's a small price to pay. Eventually, I'll be back on campus.I can tough it out until then.
“Well, in case Ihaven’t said it, I really appreciate you doing this.”
“You have saidit,” Hannah reminded her, “but it’s always nice to hear it.”
As she said that,Jessie’s phone buzzed, indicating that Jamil was calling on the other line.
“I’m sorry, sis,but I’ve got to go,” she said.
“That’s okay,”Hannah replied. “So do I. Kat just came out of the bathroom and she’seyeballing me suspiciously.”
“I love you,little sister,” Jessie said.
“Right back atyou,” Hannah told her.
Jessie switchedlines and put the call on speaker.
“You’ve got me andRyan, Jamil,” she said. “How’s it going?”
“Good morning, Ms.Hunt,” Jamil said, as formal as ever. “We have some updates we thought youmight find useful.”
“Go for it,” Ryansaid from the driver’s seat.
