Timebound(37)

That nearly made me cry again, a clear sign that the day had pushed me well over my emotional limits. I cleared my throat and nodded toward the windshield. “We’re almost there. Turn right at the next intersection.”

I looked ahead nervously as he turned onto Katherine’s street. Although I didn’t want to mention it to Trey, I was very worried that we would round the corner and there would be a For Sale sign in front of the greystone house, with no evidence that my grandmother or Connor had ever been there.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw the lights on in the house both downstairs and upstairs. I could see the many shelves of books that lined the library through the upper windows and the pale blue glow of the CHRONOS equipment. It seemed like days since I had stood in that room. “Thank God they’re still here.”

Trey pulled the car up next to the curb. “You were worried?” he asked as we got out. “I thought you said the medallions were protecting them.”

Daphne began barking from the backyard as we approached the house. “I did, but yes, I was worried. You could put everything I understand about all of this into a thimble and still have room left over. And, with the exception of meeting you, anything that could go wrong today has, so…”

I had just raised my hand to ring the bell when the door opened in front of me and Katherine pulled me into a hug.

“Oh my God. Kate! Where have you been? We thought…”

“I’m sorry, Katherine. I had to see if—Mom, she’s gone. I can’t find any trace of her, now or in the past. And Dad…”

Katherine led me inside. “I know. We felt it, too.” I saw a slight mental guard go up on Katherine’s face as she saw Trey, who was just behind me in the shadows of the porch. “Who is this with you?”

I reached for Trey’s arm and pulled him forward. “Trey, this is my grandmother, Katherine Shaw. Katherine, this is Trey Coleman.” I can never remember whether the older person is introduced first or last, but formalities seemed a minor point given the situation. “Trey has been… wonderful today. I’m not sure I would be here without his help.”

We walked into the living room and I collapsed onto the couch, tugging Trey down beside me. “Trey knows everything—well, he knows as much as I do. I don’t know if that’s a problem for you, but it was kind of unavoidable.”

Katherine sighed and sat down in the armchair across from us. “I tried your cell phone, but…”

I gave a wry laugh. “Did you get a message saying the person you’re calling is outside the service area? The phone was in my backpack this morning.” I patted the sides of my skirt. “No pockets. Your number was in the phone—I didn’t have it written down. And since the phone was on Mom’s plan, I doubt there’s any record now of that account.”

“What took you so long? We had almost given up hope.”

I glanced at Trey. “He drove me to see Dad. Who is now in Delaware.”

“Oh, Kate. I wish you had just come back here. What happened? You didn’t try to explain to Harry, did you?”

“Yes, I did.”

“And?”

“Disappearing photographs are pretty convincing.”

Trey nodded. “It worked for me.”

Katherine gave Trey a skeptical look. It was clear she thought there might be other reasons he was easy to convince.

“Dad believed me,” I said. “But it didn’t matter. He has a life. A family. Kids.”

I stopped, realizing how bitter my voice sounded, and waited a moment before going on. “Could you please tell me exactly what happened today that changed my entire life to the point that my own father doesn’t know who I am? To the point where my mother simply doesn’t exist?”

Katherine nodded. “I will do that, Kate. But I expect your friend needs to be getting home. It’s a school night, correct? We can talk about this afterward.”

“We can talk in front of Trey—” I began.

“No,” said Trey. “It’s okay, Kate—really. I do have school tomorrow and my dad will be looking for me.” I started to object, but I knew he was right. I just didn’t want to be alone. And I knew that I would feel very alone after he left, even with my grandmother and Connor nearby.

Katherine stood up, moving toward the kitchen. “It was nice to meet you, Trey. If you’d wait here a moment… I’m sure you incurred expenses driving to Delaware.”

“Not necessary, Mrs. Shaw. It was my pleasure.”

“You have my thanks then, Trey. Kate, I’ll go make you a cup of tea. You look like you could use it.”