Page 299 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“He won’t say.”

“Then no.”

There. Ronan answered for him. Elliot looked over. Vance paused.

“Ronan?”

“Yes.”

“He specifically requested Elliot.”

“I heard.”

Vance’s voice hardened.

“He says he’ll explain the five names.”

Silence. Ronan stared at Elliot. Elliot’s expression changed. Not fear. Need. He had to know. Ronan knew before Elliot spoke.

“I’ll go.”

“No.”

Elliot looked at him. Vance heard.

“I can have officers present.”

Ronan ignored her.

“He manipulated you once.”

“We don’t know that.”

“Saint.”

Elliot froze. Vance went silent. Fuck. Ronan closed his eyes. He had said the name. Out loud. To Vance. Elliot stared at him.

“What is Saint?” Vance asked.

Nobody answered. Her voice sharpened.

“Ronan.”

He looked at Elliot. Another choice. Another lie. Another piece of himself Nathan predicted he would surrender. Elliot slowly shook his head. Not asking him to lie. Telling him not to. That mattered. Ronan inhaled.

“It’s relevant.”

Elliot closed his eyes. Vance went quiet.

“How relevant?”

Ronan stared at Elliot.

“I think Nathan may have been communicating anonymously with Elliot before Mason Kerr died.”

Silence. Elliot looked at him. No anger. Not yet. Vance asked:

“About what?”