Page 172 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“I'm not trying to comfort you.”

Elliot looked at him. Ronan crossed the room. “I'm trying not to lie.” That mattered. He saw it. Elliot nodded.

“Okay.”

Ronan touched the side of his neck. “Bell first. Vance next.”

“I don't want Vance seeing it.”

“Why?”

“Because she'll ask what it means.”

“So?”

“So I don't know.”

“That has never stopped you from theorizing before.”

Elliot almost smiled. Almost. Then three hard knocks struck the front door. Both of them froze. Ronan looked toward it. Nobody should have arrived that quickly.

“Stay here.”

Elliot's head snapped toward him. “Absolutely not.”

“For once in your fucking life, do what I say.”

Ronan moved toward the door. He checked through the narrow gap beside the blind. Detective Vance. Alone. He exhaled.

“It's Vance.”

Elliot looked almost disappointed. That bothered Ronan. He opened the door. Vance's gaze moved past him immediately.

“Where's Elliot?”

“Hello to you too.”

“Ronan.”

“He's here.”

Elliot appeared beside him. Vance looked at both of them. Then at the closed blinds.

“Good.”

That word made Ronan's stomach tighten.

“What?”

“Mr. Bell sent me the screenshot.”

“Already?”

“He called.”

Vance entered after Ronan stepped aside. She didn't remove her coat.

“Original message?”