Page 350 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

The word worked differently now. It hurt Elliot. Ronan could see it. Good. Not because Ronan wanted pain. Because Elliot took promises seriously when they came from him.

“I promise.”

Ronan believed him. Mostly. That would have to be enough. At 11:08, Bellweather Police locked down three abandoned commercial properties. At 11:14, campus security began searching every university-owned storage building. At 11:21, Claire’s phone came back online. For fourteen seconds. Vance received the alert while standing at the carriage-house island.

“Got something.”

Everyone moved. Ronan looked over her shoulder. A map appeared. Small blue pulse. West Bellweather. Then gone.

“Where?”

Vance zoomed.

“Industrial district.”

Elliot’s grip tightened around Ronan’s hand. Ronan stared at the map. Warehouses. Old manufacturing buildings. A self-storage complex. An abandoned supermarket.

“What was the accuracy?”

“About eighty meters.”

Elliot leaned closer.

“Which buildings?”

Vance listed them. Four possibilities. Then another message arrived. Not on Vance’s phone. The temporary phone Ronan had been using. Unknown number. His stomach dropped. Elliot saw.

“Saint.”

Ronan opened it. Video. Twenty-three seconds. Vance immediately said, “Don’t play it yet.” Ronan stared.

“Why?”

“I want screen recording active.”

Of course. Evidence. She set up another phone. Then nodded. Ronan pressed play. Claire appeared. Same chair. Same wall. She was crying now. Not hysterically. Quietly. Angrily. Very Claire. Ronan’s chest tightened. Someone stood behind the camera. No voice. Claire looked directly into the lens.

“Elliot.”

Beside Ronan, Elliot stopped breathing. Claire swallowed.

“If you’re seeing this, don’t do anything stupid.”

Ronan almost laughed despite the terror. Elliot did not. Claire continued.

“I’m okay.”

Her voice shook.

“But listen to me.”

She looked slightly off-camera. Someone had moved. Ronan could tell. Then back.

“They want you to come alone.”

Elliot’s hand jerked inside Ronan’s. No. Ronan tightened his grip. Claire continued.

“Don’t.”