Blood Ties (McKenzie novel)

Plot

Theodore "Theo" Glassman is fed up with his bodyguard, Roy, who never leaves his side. When Theo tells his mother she’s just imagining the danger that led to the bodyguard, she finally gives in and agrees to explain who is threatening him. At the same time, Rachel Smith is tired of her parents always bringing up her dead sister, Rebecca, who was the perfect daughter and student. One day, Rachel gets a strange text from her dad, Richard, that reads, "Goddess still safe in Heaven.

Richard." She asks him about it, and he says the message was meant for someone else, but he won’t say anything more. Back at Theo’s house, his mother reveals a big secret: his father, James Lawson, whom she had always told Theo was dead, is actually alive and hiding from a dangerous extremist group called RAGE (Righteous Army Against Genetic Engineering). Armed with this news, Theo and his best friend Jake search online for his father.

They find an article about a bombing RAGE carried out years ago at a genetic research clinic where Theo’s father worked. The article also mentions Elijah Lazio, known as "the Gene Genie," and Richard Smith, who was at the hospital for his daughter’s birth and saw the bombing from a window. Theo decides to track down Richard’s daughter to see if her father knows anything about James Lawson. He and Jake figure out her age and which school she attends.

The next day, as Rachel leaves school, Theo approaches her. He explains that his father might have worked with hers and asks if Richard knows anything about James Lawson. Rachel agrees to help, and they go to her house. When Theo asks Richard about the bombing, Richard looks terrified and denies everything.

Later, Theo gives Rachel his phone number and asks her to reach out if she learns more. He also contacts his hacker friend, Max, who says she’s ready to help whenever needed.

Back at school, the bullies Jemima, Phoebe, and Amy corner Rachel and demand to know how she’s connected to Theo. Rachel lies and says he’s her boyfriend. Jemima then says that if that’s true, she expects to see Theo at the school dance as Rachel’s date.