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More importantly, my uncle doubted his theory that Nathaniel was in fact Hadrian in disguise, and I did as well How on earth had he been teaching a class? How had he made that work? Still, if there was any truth to it, I needed to know

I sent three texts to my brother This time, he replied quickly He offered resources He approved of my plan His final text read, I’m sure he wishes I was his son, too

Well, he only said it about me, I wrote back, with some pleasure, and then I turned my phone off

My next order of business was to confirm some minor financial details with Lena We discussed a choice of clothing for the event, as I knew this would please her I owed her quite a few favors at this point We hammered out escape routes She infor called a Secret Santa back in Sherringford The other girls on our hall were to exchange presents e returned in January, and according to Lena, my participation was mandatory I told her I’d contribute a book on snails She frowned, and then shrugged in assent

That settled, I reviewed photographs of the Moriarty fa, even August, who’d taken pains in the past to soften his appearance with that particular professorial haircut He’d pared hione, and as left was spiny and sad Watson often compared our lives to art and entertainment--this was like a sitcoust Moriarty had gone fro Ha, of course, but I ered over the old picture of him on the Oxford website

Because that man--the man in the photo--was dead He and I both knew it, and kneas my fault I wondered if our relationship noas a kind of shared rieve for your forirl understands I’ve shed so many skins, I hardly knohat I am now--oing

When I looked up, still deep in thought, I caught To his neck to see my screen I’m not particularly proud to say that I snarled at him

"Char," Lena said mildly She didn’t take her eyes from her phone

"You’re disloyal," I told Tom "You proved that with Mr Wheatley I swear to you that if you ever give up sensitive inforain--I will find a way to wear you as a hat Stop looking at my screen"

Tom shrank back into his sweater vest

"I’ll play you in Tetris," Lena offered He nodded shakily

I wasquite a few threats today It wasn’t my favorite mode of operation, but it was to be expected when I was surrounded by petty criarette

Final matters For this uards Only those loyal enough to Milo that they would extend that sa with those outside um as he sat across from me--I understood its necessity I couldn’t perforun To that end, I sent one of the swar mercenaries to find Peterson and a few others They’d follow us to Prague<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>