The diner was almost empty, its neon sign buzzing faintly against the gray afternoon. Chloe slid into the booth first, the smell of coffee and fried food clinging to the air. Melinda arrived next, pulling off her sunglasses and setting them down on the sticky table. Diana came last, her coat wrapped tight around her.

They ordered coffee and a pancake. Chloe stirred her coffee, watching the cream swirl into dark spirals. "Zoe's birthday is in two days," she said quietly. "And she's been... off. ...