Page 291 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“No. I’ve decided stitches are actually terrible.”

“Good.”

Ronan stared.

“Good?”

“You might stop pretending getting stabbed is nothing.”

“It was a scratch.”

The paramedic looked offended.

“It was not a scratch.”

Elliot pointed.

“See?”

“Both of you can fuck off.”

For one bizarre second, the room almost felt normal. Then Vance said:

“Nathan had twenty-three photographs of Elliot in his vehicle.”

Everything stopped. Elliot slowly looked toward her. Ronan’s stomach tightened.

“Twenty-three?”

Vance nodded.

“Physical photographs. Printed.”

“Recent?”

“Some.”

“How old?”

“We’re establishing dates.”

Ronan looked at Elliot. His face had gone unreadable. Vance continued.

“Several appear to predate Mason Kerr’s homicide.”

Ronan felt cold move through him. They already knew that part. The messages had started earlier. Still, hearing police confirm it made the stalking real in a different way.

“What else?” Elliot asked.

Vance watched him.

“Notes.”

“What kind?”

“About you.”

Silence. Ronan’s jaw tightened.