Chapter 60

The lights in the hallway were softer here. I signaled to Susan with a little wave and whispered, “I’ll be back soon.” She nodded and gave me a smile, but I caught a flicker of something in her expression—hesitation, maybe. Then I noticed her glance toward Logan’s mother. A beat later, Susan walked away with her. Together. Like they knew each other. Like they’d known each other for years. How do they know each other? I wondered. But I didn’t have time to think about it because the mayor’s wife gently took my arm. “Come,” she said kindly, “let’s go somewhere quieter.” I followed her, still feeling the sting of what had just happened in the main hall. My hands were shaking a little, but her presence made me feel calm. The way she walked, the way she held herself—it was like she had seen everything and nothing could shock her. She led me through a side corridor. We passed a few rooms until she opened a door and stepped inside. It was a small, private sitting room with velvet chairs and ta