Page 369 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Elliot’s breathing quickened.

“Old marine sciences building.”

Ronan stared.

“The abandoned one?”

“Yes.”

Bellweather University had once maintained a small freshwater research facility north of campus. Closed five years ago. Most tanks drained. One enormous observation room remained connected to a reservoir-fed system because demolition funding never materialized. Saint knew. How? Then Elliot remembered. Forum. Another conversation. Places that felt abandoned but not empty. Fuck.

“I told them.”

Ronan looked at him.

“What?”

“Saint asked about creepy places around Bellweather.”

“Of course they fucking did.”

Vance approached.

“What location?”

Elliot told her. She immediately started calling it in. Ronan looked at the photo again. Rebecca. Glass. Water. Then text appeared.

BETTER.

Another.

YOU REMEMBER.

Elliot’s stomach turned. Another.

COME ALONE.

Ronan laughed bitterly.

“Original.”

Then:

RONAN STAYS.

Elliot stared. Saint knew Ronan was with him. Maybe live. Maybe obvious. Another message.

VANCE STAYS TOO.

Then:

OR MOM GOES SWIMMING.

Elliot stopped breathing. Ronan looked at the water behind Rebecca. The facility’s main observation tank. Deep. Cold. If Saint had access to controls— Elliot’s thoughts accelerated. Ronan grabbed his face.

“No.”

“What?”