Chapter 3

We had to stop our game short because it started to rain. It turns out Courtney can kick the ball as well as she can hit so it was a pretty funny game. She would kick the ball to the goal, but it would fly ten feet away from the post.

Dripping wet we came through the back door only to run into Miss Summers, who pursed her lips when she saw us come in. She told us to go straight upstairs to change, shower, and put our wet clothes in the laundry room.

Once Kari was in the shower Courtney began to ask thousands of questions about Matt.

"His name is Matt, right? What is his last name? How long has he been here? How old is he? He looks seventeen. Can he drive? Does he have a girlfriend? How come…"

I cut her off. "Whoa Courtney, one question at a time. His last name is Cayce. He has been in this foster home for about five months. He is sixteen, and yes, he can drive."

"But does he have a girlfriend?"

"Well…no." Courtney's face lit up. Before I could tell her that he really doesn't care about dating, she squealed happily and started rambling on about him and how 'unbelievably gorgeous' he was.

I decided to let her continue to chatter, nodding now and then and sometimes adding comments. When Kari came in, hair still dripping with water, Courtney immediately changed the subject to what we were doing tomorrow.


My eyes opened groggily to the sound of voices. I looked around, trying to listen to where the sound was coming from. I saw that Kari was awake and straining to listen to the conversation.

"…slower this time. Alastair is starting to question your loyalty."

"You know I am completely loyal to my cause, Michael!" Kari let out a gasp as the woman spoke. I glared and hoped there was enough light so she could see the death glare I was aiming at her.

"But what exactly is your cause? It has been five months and your results have been minimal. We are beginning to think this is too personal for you. After all, your son--"

"No, I'm fine," The woman interrupted. "I have all the information you need about Taylor and if my suspicions of Autumn and Kari are correct, then it won't be long. Taylor will be ready for you Wednesday."

"Good. I will see you again Wednesday morning and 9:00." I heard the front door open.

"Oh, and Jennifer. Alastair doesn't want to be disappointed again." The door slammed shut.

Kari shot me a confused look. "What--"

"SHHH! We'll talk in the morning."

As I turned over in my bed I replayed what I had just overheard. What did the man, Michael, want to do with Taylor, and for that matter me and Kari? And why did he just call Kelly Summers Jennifer?