ropes like a lasso, circling Mr. Montgomery’s body in mummy fashion until I saw nothing but silver.
There were more flashes, then the silver ropes fell away. The man and woman vanished. All that was left was Mr. Montgomery — who blinked as if waking up from a long sleep. I couldn’t say exactly why, but I knew that this was the real Mr. Montgomery.
“Leah?” he spoke uncertainly. “What were we saying?”
“Uh … how you’re okay with me staying home tonight, since I’m sick.”
“Is that so?” He stared at me coolly. “That’s not how I recall our conversation.”
I thought he’d be nicer without the Dark Lifer possessing his body, but he seemed even more intimidating.
I started to go into my story about being sick, but he cut me off.
“Save the excuses.” He waved his hand. “Here’s how this is going to play out. You may skip your exercise regime and rest in bed until evening. I will not contact DeHaven unless you continue your delusions about being sick.”
“But I am sick!”
He waved his hand again, slicing off my complaint. “We made a bargain. And if you fail to live up to your part of it, then I will retaliate. You will find yourself confined to your room at DeHaven, where the fashionable clothing is a straitjacket. And Hunter will go to Camp Challenge.”
“You can’t do that to him! You promised.”
“And you gave me a promise, too — which you will fulfill. Do you understand?”
Tugging the blankets close to my chest, my heart thumped a beat of terror. I tried to think of something to say. But there wasn’t a way out — except to surrender.
“All right,” I whispered.
“Excellent.” He smiled with smug satisfaction. “You should wear the blue Lexie gown tonight. It’ll go nicely with your eyes.”
Then he turned and left.
32
I could have called Dustin or Eli or Alyce, but I didn’t. Not because I didn’t trust them — but because I couldn’t trust myself. If they offered to rescue me, I’d be tempted to let them, abandoning Hunter. Besides, I was too ashamed to tell anyone what I’d promised to do, as if Mr. Montgomery’s demands made me less of a person.
The day lingered on, as slowly and painfully as torture. I alternated staring at the ceiling and watching mindless TV reruns. I only ate a few bites of lunch, then went back to staring at nothing.
Later, Angie came to help me get ready for the Reception. Her dark eyes were surprisingly kind as she set out a blue low-cut gown, silver heels, and a sapphire necklace. “Do you need help getting dressed?”
“No, I’m fine.” I shook my head.
I shouldn’t be here. I should be on my way to the hospital. I was letting everyone down — Mom, Dad, Dustin, Alyce, Eli … and Leah. Especially Leah. I couldn’t save her this time. What would happen to her? Maybe she’d stay with Grammy and work as a Temp Lifer. I could trust my grandmother to take care of her. Unfortunately, I couldn’t trust myself to do anything right.
Always going the wrong way …
But what choice did I have? Dark Lifer Dad may be gone with the DD Team, but the real Mr. Montgomery was still here. He owned this body, paid for through bribes and threats. He’d never ever let me leave.
At least with me here, Hunter would be safe. I’d help Mrs. Montgomery stay sober. And in the future, Leah would score higher than any of her teachers expected in math.
Math …
Numbers, dashes and names tickled my memory.
And I lit up with an insight as explosive as fireworks.
“Ohmygod!” I cried out, sitting up in bed. “That’s it!”
“What’s it, Leah?” Angie immediately rushed to my side. “Are you all right?”
“Better than all right,” I said with a nervous giggle.
I’m sure she thought I was crazy, but I’d never been saner.
* * *
I did
What I did do was call Dustin and fill him in. He checked a few things for me online, confirming my suspicions. Then I turned on the computer scanner and made some highly important copies, which I printed out.
After that I looked for Luis, but couldn’t find him. So I asked Angie instead, and was surprised, pleased, and relieved when she agreed to be a messenger for me.
Then I was ready. Trembling with nerves, I slipped on casual jeans and a plain T-shirt and went to face my enemy.
My smile faded with each step toward Mr. Montgomery. I second-thought and mentally double-checked what I planned to say. Suddenly there were lots of holes in my scheme. What if I was wrong? But no … I couldn’t let myself think negatively. Positive thoughts brought positive outcomes.
My life — and Leah’s — counted on this.
“Leah, why aren’t you dressed?” Mr. Montgomery was looking in a mirror, straightening his striped gray tie.
“Uh … I … um …”
“Well, what is it? I hope you’re not still pretending to be sick.”
“No … it’s not that.”
He tapped his fingers on the dresser. “Then hurry to your room and get ready.”
I lifted my shoulders and exhaled. “I–I’m not going,” I said.
“Leah, Leah … ” He sighed wearily. “We’ve already been through this.”
“No we haven’t.”
“Don’t cross me,” he warned. “You know what I’m capable of doing.”
“But you have no idea what I could do to you.” I matched the warning in his tone with one of my own. “I know about your payoffs to Congressman Donatello.”
“What?” He chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“It’s true, and you know it.”
“You have no grasp of my complicated business dealings.”
“I do,” I said firmly, feet planted, gaze steady, hands tight around the papers.
“This is not amusing.”
“I wasn’t amused either when I found my name on your papers.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m totally serious — and I have the documents to prove it.” I held out the papers. “These are proof that you made excessive donations to the Congressman in an account under my name: Leah Ashland. My first and middle name. There’s also an account under Hunter’s first and middle name, too.”
“My business is not your concern.” He reached out for the papers but I jumped back.
“I checked the numbers and contribution laws, and it’s obvious you’ve contributed more than the legal limit to
