Page 117 of No Headlines Please

It was in no skyscraper, that's for damn sure.

I admired him. Unfortunately for Ryder, admiration and agreement weren't the same thing.

He pushed back his chair and stood. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"

It was a good question, but it still changed nothing. Ryder didn't give two shits about Delaney. He'd barely asked if she was okay.

It pissed me off, but it wasn't the reason I was keeping quiet.

Today, I'd come to a decision. Delaney's location wasn't my secret to tell.

I wasn't even convinced that Ryder deserved to know.

And that went double for Delaney's family.

The mystery of Delaney's whereabouts could've been solved in an afternoon by anyone willing to put in the effort. But nobody had – unless you counted Ryder asking me to handle it, which I'd technically done.

To Ryder's question, I replied, "I did tell you. Just now."

This made him scowl. "Yeah, like a month late."

True. And now, Delaney was moving on. To where, I had no idea. But Janet Keegan, the woman Cal had tapped to keep fresh eyes on Delaney, had been very clear on the timetable. By this time tomorrow, Delaney would be gone.

The thought bothered me more than it should've.

Still, I leaned back against the credenza and shoved my hands into my front pockets like none of this was personal. "Hey, I said I'd find her."

Ryder gave me a look. "Yeah. And tell me when you did."

With another shrug, I replied, "I don't recall you saying that."

And now, he looked ready to leap over his desk and go for my throat.

But it wasn't his anger that made me pause. The guy looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.

I let out a resigned sigh. "Look, you said her sister was worried, and I promised to keep an eye out. Which I did."

"And?"

"And what?"

He made a sound of frustration. "So, where is she?"

"Here in the city." But not for long. This was why I'd come today and not tomorrow. Tomorrow, the statement would've been a lie.

Ryder's gaze sharpened. "Where in the city?"

"Does it matter?"

He only stared, looking tired and pissed off.

Yeah, welcome to the club, buddy.

I told him, "I'll take that as a no."

Ryder shook his head. "What?"

"I asked if it mattered. You said nothing. So I'll take it as a no."