Gates of Paradise (a Blue Bloods Novel)

In another life, she and Oliver could have been these students, she thought, looking around at the young people. Their only anxieties were over exams and dating.

Getting to Chicago had been easy enough, but Schuyler had no idea what to do once they arrived. She supposed she could have sent Finn Chase a friend request on Facebook and asked to meet up, but it seemed so awkward. What was she supposed to say? “I’m the long-lost daughter of the father who died when you were a baby and before I was born. Sorry to spring it on you like this. Let’s hang out!”

“Are we just going to show up on her doorstep?” Oliver asked.

“I would if I knew where her doorstep was,” Schuyler said. “This place is enormous, though.”

The campus was spread out over several city blocks, and it seemed impossible that they would be able to find her. “Did you check to see if there was an address on Facebook? Any references to what dorm she lives in?” Oliver asked.

“I read every post I could find, but there was nothing about where she lived. On campus, that’s all I know. She’s probably careful not to reveal where; too many stalkers these days.”

“What about finding her after class? What’s she studying?”

Trust Oliver to always come up with something useful. “She’s an art major,” Schuyler told him. “There was something about how Finn had gotten all of her requirements out of the way and could now spend her time doing what she loved.”

“That means most of her classes are probably in the same building,” Oliver pointed out. “If we go there, someone might be able to help us find her. We might even run into her, like the crazy stalkers we are.”

“Such a good idea!” Schuyler checked her phone to see where visual art classes were held. “Looks like most of them are in the Arts Center, on South Greenwood. That’s just a few blocks from here.”

It didn’t take them long to arrive at the squat, rectangular concrete building. “Not very attractive for a building devoted to art,” Oliver sniffed.

“It’s what’s inside that counts,” Schuyler said.

They looked at each other, took deep breaths, and entered the building. Schuyler had been hoping there would be some sort of secretary they could ask right away, but the lobby was empty. They must have come during class time.

“The administrative offices are this way.” Oliver pointed.

The office was buzzing with activity, in contrast to the lobby. Student interns wandered around the suite, making copies and filing paperwork. The receptionist was filing her very long nails when Schuyler approached the desk. “You’re looking for who? Is she expecting you?”

“Not exactly,” Schuyler said.

“And you are…?”

“Her sister.”

“Is there some sort of family emergency?”

Schuyler debated whether to lie, then opted against it. “No, I was just hoping to find her. Is there any chance you could tell me where she is? What classroom she’s in? I’m not looking for her home address or anything like that.” Though I’d take it if you gave it to me, she thought.

“Can’t do that,” the receptionist said. “FERPA violation.”

“FERPA?”

“Privacy. I know your generation doesn’t have much use for it anymore, but it’s still the law.”

“Well, thank you for your help.” Schuyler couldn’t help but let the sarcasm creep into her voice.

The woman gave her a look and then returned to filing her nails.

Schuyler walked out of the office, dejected.

“What about the glom?” Oliver asked. “Just make her tell you.”

“I thought about it, but it seemed wrong somehow,” she said. “We’ll figure something out.”

“Excuse me?” a voice said.

They turned around to see a petite girl with dark curly hair standing behind them. “Sorry to be nosy, but I couldn’t help overhearing you in there. You’re looking for Finn Chase?”

“We are,” Schuyler said eagerly.

“You’re her sister? She’s a pretty good friend of mine, and I don’t remember her having any siblings.”

“She doesn’t know about me,” Schuyler admitted. “Actually, I only just found out about her.”

The girl’s dark eyes sparkled. “How exciting and mysterious!” She held out her hand. “I’m Ivy. I totally know her schedule. Can I introduce you guys? Please?”

Is she kidding? Of course she can! “I’m Schuyler, and this is my friend Oliver. We’d love it if you’d help us out.”

“Awesome,” Ivy said. “Are you two, like, a thing? Are you a potential brother-in-law or something?”

Was she asking out of curiosity, or because she thought Oliver was cute? It didn’t matter, Schuyler figured, as long as she’d help them. And if Oliver needed to flirt to get what they needed, then he’d better get cracking.

“I’m quite single,” he said. “Schuyler’s like a sister to me.”

Schuyler breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps not quite accurate, but it would do the job.