Page 141 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Elliot.”

“I was going to help her.”

“Going to.”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you near the old athletic complex?”

Silence. Nothing in Ronan's body moved. The question landed differently this time. He could feel it through the line. Not anger. Calculation. Then Elliot said:

“I went for a walk.”

Ronan closed his eyes. There. Another lie. Or maybe not. But it sounded like one.

“From the library.”

“Yes.”

“To the athletic fields.”

“Yes.”

“In the rain.”

“Yes.”

Ronan laughed once. No humor.

“You don't even like rain.”

“I don't mind rain.”

“You bitch when your shoes get wet.”

“Maybe I wanted air.”

“Why?”

“Because you keep treating me like a suspect.”

That stopped him. Ronan's anger faltered. Elliot continued.

“Every question. Every look. You think I don't notice?”

“I didn't say you're a suspect.”

“You don't need to.”

“Elliot.”

“I'm coming home.”

“Where are you right now?”

“I told you.”

“Exactly.”