Page 115 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Why?”

Because I know him. The answer rose instantly. It had been the foundation beneath every strange thought for weeks. The running. The map. The investigation. The car search. The mask. Every time suspicion attempted to form, Ronan crushed it beneath those four words. I know him. He looked at Vance.

“Because I know him.”

She studied him for a long moment. Then wrote something down. Ronan's chest tightened.

“What?”

“I didn't say anything.”

“Yeah. That's becoming a fucking theme.”

Vance closed the notebook.

“We're done for now.”

Ronan didn't move.

“That it?”

“For today.”

“Am I a suspect?”

Vance looked at him.

“No arrests have been made.”

“Not what I asked.”

“No.”

He waited. She didn't elaborate. Ronan stood. The chair scraped loudly against tile. His hand reached the door.

“Ronan.”

He turned. Vance remained seated.

“If you remember anything else about Elliot's interactions with Mason, Lucas, or Dylan, call me.”

There it was. Elliot again. Ronan stared.

“Ask Elliot.”

Vance's expression remained neutral.

“I have.”

“Then believe him.”

He opened the door.

“Do you?”

Ronan stopped. His hand tightened around the handle. He looked back. Vance hadn't moved.

“What?”