Page 262 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“What happened?”

Elliot smiled automatically.

“Nothing.”

Ronan started laughing. He tried to stop. Failed. Rebecca stared at him like he had lost his mind. Vance’s mouth twitched. Even Elliot laughed. Small. Ridiculous. For five seconds, the room stopped being terrifying. Then Rebecca noticed the photograph on Vance’s phone. Her face changed.

“What is that?”

Nobody answered quickly enough. She took the phone. Saw her sons asleep together. Not the kind of together easily explained as familial. Ronan stopped laughing. Elliot’s stomach dropped. Rebecca looked up. First at Ronan. Then Elliot. The room became silent. Vance looked profoundly interested in the wall. Elliot wished the floor would open. Rebecca handed the phone back.

“Police downstairs.”

Her voice was calm. Too calm.

“Both of you. Five minutes.”

She turned and left. Ronan stared after her.

“Oh.”

Elliot covered his face.

“Oh?”

Ronan looked at him.

“I think your mother just figured out we’re fucking.”

“Thank you, Ronan.”

“Trying to identify positives.”

“There are no positives.”

“At least murder isn’t the biggest secret in the house for the next five minutes.”

Elliot lowered his hands slowly. Ronan realized what he’d said. Then both started laughing again. Not because it was funny. Because apparently nervous breakdowns came in stages. Vance sighed.

“I’m going outside.”

She left. Ronan looked at Elliot. Their laughter died slowly. Then Elliot said:

“You lied.”

Ronan’s expression sobered.

“Yes.”

“Directly.”

“Yes.”

“You told her I didn’t kill anyone.”

“I noticed.”

“Why?”