Page 60 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“No, you wanted an explanation.”

Ronan sighed. Elliot's voice remained calm.

“I didn't know Mason. I barely know Lucas. I'm not going to perform grief because everyone else expects me to.”

“I don't want you to perform anything.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Nothing.”

“That isn't true.”

Ronan looked at him. There was irritation in Elliot's face now. Real irritation. Good. Strangely, that made Ronan feel better.

“I want you to stop looking at murders like they're a fucking research project.”

Silence. Elliot's eyes sharpened.

“You think that's what I'm doing?”

“Sometimes.”

“Because I read about the investigation?”

“Because you read everything.”

“It's interesting.”

“A man died.”

“I know.”

“And another might be missing.”

“I know.”

Ronan pushed away from the counter.

“Then maybe act like it.”

The second the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Elliot went still. Not angry. That would have been easier. His face emptied. Ronan knew that look. He'd seen it after fights with Rebecca. After professors disappointed him. After anyone said something Elliot considered unfair. It was the point where whatever Elliot actually felt disappeared behind control.

“Okay,” Elliot said.

Ronan sighed.

“Don't.”

“Don't what?”

“Do that.”

“What am I doing?”

“Shutting down.”

“I'm not.”