Page 344 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Elliot looked at the folded note. Then him.

“No.”

Ronan knew there were still secrets. Apparently there would always be secrets. But this one felt different. Not murder. Not another body. Something buried deeper. He squeezed Elliot’s hand.

“Okay.”

They went downstairs together. Vance spent thirty-two minutes photographing the note, bagging it, documenting the Saint phone, and looking increasingly pissed that two college students had apparently been maintaining their own parallel investigation inside a storage closet. Nathan had not been told about the new contact. Good. Saint continued sending messages until Vance placed the phone inside a shielded evidence container. The final one arrived at 10:41.

THERE GOES OUR PRIVACY.

Ronan stared. Vance looked at him.

“No response.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“Good.”

Elliot stood beside him. Too calm again. Ronan nudged his hand. Tiny. Hidden. Elliot looked over.

“What?”

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

Ronan stared. Elliot sighed.

“No.”

Better. Vance heard.

“What’s wrong?”

Elliot looked at her.

“You took the phone.”

“Yes.”

“They'll know.” “Know what?” “That I gave it to you.” Vance nodded. “That is generally what we want criminals to know.” Ronan almost smiled. Elliot did not. “You don’t understand.” “Then explain.” “Saint doesn’t punish disobedience directly.” Vance’s expression changed. “How do they punish it?” Elliot looked toward Ronan. Ronan felt cold. “Other people.” Silence. Vance’s entire demeanor sharpened. “Who?” “I don’t know.” “There it is again.” “I genuinely don’t.” “What makes you think that?” Elliot swallowed. Ronan stared. Another secret. Fuck. “When I stopped replying last spring, Claire got followed home.” Ronan went still. “What?” Elliot closed his eyes briefly. “Someone followed her from campus.” “You never told me.” “I thought it was coincidence.” “Of course you did.” Vance cut in. “Date?” Elliot gave it. “Any police report?” “Claire reported the vehicle.” Vance immediately started typing on her phone. Ronan stared at Elliot. “You started responding again after that.” “Yes.” “To protect Claire.” “Yes.” “And now we gave them the phone.” “Yes.”

Cold settled through Ronan. His mother. Thomas. Dylan. Claire. Everyone around Elliot had become leverage. Saint didn’t need Elliot dead. Saint needed Elliot obedient. Ronan understood the game differently now.

“They're going to target someone.”

Elliot looked at him.

“Yes.”

Vance said, “Not if we get there first.” Ronan turned.

“You don’t know who.”

“No.”

“Then how?”