Page 225 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Don’t apologize.”

Elliot looked at him. Ronan noticed the irony. They both almost laughed. Then a vehicle passed outside. Slow. Too slow. Both froze. Ronan stood immediately. Elliot grabbed his wrist.

“Wait.”

The headlights moved across the edges of the blinds. One second. Two. Three. Then disappeared. Ronan looked toward the window.

“Patrol?”

“Maybe.”

“Stay here.”

Elliot tightened his grip.

“No.”

Ronan looked down.

“I'm checking.”

“From inside.”

“Fine.”

He pulled the curtain edge back a fraction. Elliot watched his face.

“What?”

“Police cruiser.”

Relief moved through him. Small. Embarrassing. Ronan let the curtain fall.

“They’re here.”

“Good.”

Elliot hated how much he meant it now. At 8:47, Vance stopped answering. Ronan called twice. Elliot called once. Nothing. At 9:02, Claire texted Elliot.

CLAIRE: wtf is happening

Elliot stared.

ELLIOT: what

CLAIRE: cops everywhere north of town

His stomach tightened.

ELLIOT: where did you hear that

CLAIRE: student group

Then:

CLAIRE: someone said body found

Elliot stopped breathing. Ronan saw.