Page 177 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Ronan didn't answer. He called Vance. She picked up immediately.

“What happened?”

Ronan stared at Elliot.

“Someone left something at Dylan's apartment.”

“What?”

“An envelope with my name on it.”

Silence. Then Vance's voice sharpened.

“Has anyone touched it?”

“Dylan opened it.”

“Tell him to put it down and move away from the door. Officers are three minutes out.”

Ronan looked at the photograph again.

“There's a picture inside.”

“Of what?”

“Me.”

Pause.

“Anything written on it?”

Ronan swallowed.

“Yes.”

“What?”

He looked at Elliot. Elliot stared back.

“Wrong brother, Detective.”

Silence. Long enough that Ronan checked whether the call had disconnected. Then Vance said, “Do not leave your house.” Ronan's grip tightened.

“Why?”

“Because whoever left that envelope knows we're looking at you.”

His stomach dropped.

“And?”

Another pause.

“Apparently they don't want us to.”

The call ended. Ronan lowered the phone. The carriage house felt impossibly quiet. Elliot stood beside him.

“Someone's trying to clear you.”