Page 162 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Yes.”

Everyone stopped. Ronan turned. Bell's expression tightened. Vance's eyes sharpened. Elliot continued.

“A private sexual relationship that has nothing to do with your investigation and messages involving people who never consented to police reading them.”

Ronan stared. Then realization. Vance looked between them. Good. Let her. Elliot's pulse remained steady.

“I'll show you Lucas's messages,” he said. “Anything beyond that requires a warrant.”

Bell's face relaxed slightly. Vance studied him. Then nodded.

“Inside.”

The verification took fourteen minutes. Lucas's message. Date. Time. Elliot's response. Nothing else. Vance photographed the screen. Then asked:

“Where was this phone Tuesday night?”

Elliot had been waiting.

“Home.”

“All night?”

“Yes.”

“Can you verify?”

“Probably.”

Vance looked at Bell. Then Elliot.

“How?”

“Our home Wi-Fi.”

Her expression changed. Tiny. Interested.

“My phone automatically connects.”

“When did you last leave the house Tuesday?”

“Afternoon.”

“Return?”

“About seven thirty.”

“After that?”

“No.”

Ronan glanced at him. Elliot felt it. Not now. Vance asked, “You never disconnected from the network?”

“I don't know.”

“Did you turn the phone off?”

“No.”