Page 351 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

Good.

“They said if police come—”

She stopped. Fear crossed her face. The first real fear. Ronan felt cold.

“They said they’ll know.”

Then someone spoke. Distorted. Not Nathan. Same kind of device. Different cadence.

“Tell him the rest.”

Claire looked away from the camera.

“Fuck you.”

Ronan almost smiled. Elliot whispered, “Claire.” The distorted voice laughed softly. Then:

“Good girl.”

Elliot’s face changed. Ronan saw rage ignite. He grabbed Elliot’s wrist with both hands.

“Promise.”

Elliot stared at the screen. Claire continued.

“They said you have forty-five minutes.”

Vance looked at the timestamp. The video had been sent less than a minute after recording. Claire swallowed.

“They want you at…”

She looked off-camera again.

“Mercy Storage. Unit twelve.”

Vance immediately began typing. Ronan’s pulse jumped. Selfstorage complex. One of the four buildings. Claire continued.

“Elliot, don’t—”

The video cut. Silence. Nobody moved for one second. Then Vance said:

“Police are already moving.”

Elliot tore his hand free. Ronan stepped in front of him.

“No.”

“They gave an address.”

“Yes.”

“For me.”

“Yes.”

“So I’m going.”

“No.”