Luckily, Scout can still come. In fact, he’s so excited about getting to see Alcatraz we practically run the whole way to the ferry, but that’s not unusual for Scout. Everything he does is fast. Just being around him I move faster too.

When we get to the island, I grab my gear and we head straight for Annie’s apartment and rap our bats on her door. I’ve told Annie all about Scout and I know she’s dying to play with him. Scout is humming “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” when the door squeaks open. “Annie, Scout’s here. C’mon, let’s go.” I rotate my hand in quick circles.

But Annie’s broad face is set hard. “Can’t,” she says.

“Why not?”

“You know why not,” she whispers, motioning for me to come in.

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do.” She glowers at me.

I groan. “Scout, just a minute, okay?”

Scout nods his fast nod, and I slip inside Annie’s apartment and gently shut the door. “What?”

She wraps one arm around the other like she’s holding herself in. I wish Annie wouldn’t do this. It’s what Nat does when she’s upset, and I don’t want to think about Natalie right now.

“I can’t play with you until you tell,” Annie announces.

“About the note?”

Annie rolls her eyes. “What do you think, Moose? Of course about the note.”

“For the one hundredth time, Annie, I can’t do that.”

Annie’s arms tighten around herself. “Then I won’t play.”

“What do you mean you won’t play?”

She frowns and shrugs her shoulders, just a little, as if the movement pains her.

“But Annie,” I whisper. “Don’t you see? I can’t wreck everything for Natalie. She’s my sister.”

Annie shakes her head. “Capone’s a gangster. A mob boss. He could kill you. You want to get shot? Jeez, Moose, do I have to explain everything to you?”