Page 202 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“I’ll need access.”

“I can call Dad.”

“Do that.”

Ronan pulled out his phone. Elliot remained near the kitchen. Too still. Ronan watched him while Thomas answered.

“Hey.”

“Everything okay?”

“No.”

His father’s tone changed immediately.

“What happened?”

“Police are here.”

Pause.

“What?”

“Someone left something on our porch. They need camera footage.”

“I’m turning around.”

“You don’t need to.”

“I’m already turning around.”

Of course.

“Vance needs login access.”

Thomas gave him the credentials. Ronan wrote them down. By the time he ended the call, Vance already had a laptop open on the kitchen island. Ten minutes later, they found the figure. Timestamp: 4:57 P.M. Forty-six minutes before Elliot and Ronan came downstairs after the video message. A person entered the property from the western tree line. Not the gate. Tall. Dark jacket. Hood. Gloves. Face obscured. Ronan’s stomach tightened.

“They knew about the cameras,” Vance said.

The figure stayed close to the trees. Outside the main camera angles. Only one camera caught them clearly enough to show movement. No face. No vehicle. They disappeared behind the carriage house. Then reappeared ninety-three seconds later. No box in hand anymore. Elliot stood beside Ronan. Silent. Vance rewound. Played again. Ronan watched the figure’s gait. Something bothered him. He leaned closer.

“What?”

Vance paused. Ronan stared at the screen.

“I don’t know.”

“What did you notice?”

“Nothing.”

Elliot looked at him. Ronan almost laughed. The word had infected everyone.

“Play it again.”

Vance did. The figure moved from tree to tree. Fast. Controlled. Not running. Ronan frowned.

“Height?”