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“What?”
“You don’t need to worry about it,” Dylan said. “And we need to solve Tristan’s murder.”
Oh. It was Tristan now.
“But I want to set some ground rules,” Dylan continued, and his face chilled, reminding me of how he’d looked earlier this morning when I was in the kitchen searching for painkillers. He was angry and tense. What had happened between them? He looked every bit the “cold and aloof” that Lulu described.
“Number one, I don’t want you here when I’m not here, Spook.”
Tristan’s laugh was full of contempt. “Like you can stop me,” he said.
“Number two, none of this”—Dylan waved his hands down his body—“stealing thoughts and feelings shit—stop that. For me, Emily, and Lulu.” He pursed his lips in disgust. “And if you don’t comply, this place goes on the market tomorrow and I’ll rent somewhere.”
“Fucker,” Tristan snarled.
“No!” I said at the same time.
The doorbell rang, making both Dylan and me jump.
“Shit, it’s Dave,” Dylan said, and he ran his hand through his hair, making it spiky. “Okay, Spook. I’d like you to leave now. Just go.”
Tristan snorted his derision. “I’m not going anywhere, fucker.”
“What?” I gaped at Dylan. “What’s happened?”
“I don’t want him here when I’m not here.”
“Dylan, he hasn’t done me any harm. I like him being here. He’s my friend. He protects me.”
“No, Emily.”
“Please.” I heard the tears that threatened in my voice.
Dylan faltered.
“Just tell him I’m gone, Emily,” Tristan said and disappeared.
“Tristan. Tristan!” I called into the ether, but all trace, including his scent, had vanished.
Oh no!
“He’s gone,” I said, and I heard the disbelief and disappointment in my voice.
If Dylan did, he ignored it. “Thank God,” he muttered. “Hold that thought.”
The doorbell rang again, and Dylan went to answer it. After a moment, I heard voices in the hallway.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” Dylan came into the kitchen followed by a tall man, with short hair and dark skin.
“This is Emily,” Dylan said. “Emily, this is my friend Dave. He’s a pediatrician at the hospital, and we used to be in the band together.”
Dave held out a large hand, his deep, brown eyes behind trendy specs wide with surprise.
Be polite.
“Hello, Emily,” he said as I placed my hand in his.
He looked familiar, and I realized I’d seen him playing cricket with Dylan.
