Chapter 192

Hastings Skatepark was located at the edge of the Italian Gardens on Vancouver's east side. The whir of wheels on concrete overpowered the cascade of water trickling out of the faces carved into the ivy-wrapped stone pillars in the garden and running along tiled channels. However, nothing could drown out the screams from riders on the Hellevator or The Beast at Playland, the huge amusement park sitting smack dab between the gardens and the racetrack to the east.

Rohan greeted me at the skatepark's turnstile gate, sporting baggy cargos worn low on his hips and a T-shirt that had been washed so many times that whatever cool boarder logo had originally adorned it was now a vague suggestion of a line. His skateboard was tucked under one arm.

"Cute disguise," I said.

His eyes hit my face for a second, needle-sharp. I'd splashed a small lake's worth of cold water on my red-rimmed eyes at Leo's before driving here but I guess it hadn't been enough.