Page 158 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Because he laughed.”

“That doesn't answer.”

“I think he was pretending not to care.”

“Did he contact you afterward?”

“Yes.”

“Method?”

“Text.”

“You still have it?”

“Yes.”

That was safe. The exchange contained nothing dangerous. Vance said, “I'd like screenshots.”

“I can send them.”

“Tonight.”

“Okay.”

Another pause.

“Why didn't you tell me this earlier?”

There it was. Elliot had prepared.

“Because I didn't connect it.”

“You study behavior and have spent weeks reading about these cases.”

Ronan's eyes moved toward him. Vance continued.

“You noticed the similarities between Mason and Lucas before most people did.”

Elliot's pulse shifted.

“How do you know that?”

“People talk.”

His own phrase. Interesting.

“Still,” Vance said, “you didn't think a prior conflict with one victim mattered?”

“I thought it made me look suspicious.”

Silence. Ronan stared. That answer hadn't been planned. It was simply true enough to sound right. Vance's voice changed. Barely.

“So you deliberately withheld it.”

“Yes.”

“Why tell me now?”