Page 200 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Good.”

One technician photographed it where it sat. Another opened a hard case. Vance stepped inside. Her attention moved to Elliot.

“You said you recognize the box.”

Ronan turned. Elliot’s expression changed. Very slightly. He hadn’t told Vance that. Ronan hadn’t either.

“How do you know that?”

Vance looked at him.

“Mr. Bell called back.”

Ronan frowned. Bell hadn’t known. Then Vance looked toward Elliot.

“You texted him.”

Elliot’s jaw tightened.

“Yes.”

Ronan stared.

“When?”

“While you were calling Vance earlier.”

“You told Bell before you told me?”

Elliot looked at him.

“Because he’s my lawyer.”

The answer made sense. Still pissed him off. Vance noticed. Of course.

“What do you recognize?” she asked.

Elliot repeated the story. Set of gift boxes. Three kept. Initials scratched into the lids. One beneath the bed. One used for receipts. One assumed discarded. Vance listened without interruption. Then:

“Where was the box last stored?”

“Storage room.”

Her eyes moved toward the door beneath the stairs. Ronan’s stomach tightened.

“Can we look?”

Elliot said nothing. Ronan turned. Elliot looked at him. Then Vance.

“Do you have a warrant?”

There it was. Vance’s expression cooled.

“For the storage room?”

“Yes.”

“No.”