Page 395 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“They were using the murders to control me.”

Bell’s eyes sharpened.

“Explain carefully.”

So Elliot did. Not everything. Enough. Anonymous forum. Saint. Tyler. The surveillance. Nathan. Dylan. Claire. Rebecca. The microphone. The copied mask. The messages. Ronan. Bell listened without interruption. When Elliot finished, the lawyer looked older than he had thirty minutes earlier.

“You understand none of this excuses homicide.”

“Yes.”

“But it may be relevant.”

“To what?”

“Several things.”

Bell closed his folio.

“Most importantly, what you say next.”

Elliot stared.

“I already confessed.”

“That does not mean you spend the afternoon narrating your criminal history to every person with a badge.” “Fair.” “You answer nothing further without me.” “Okay.” Bell studied him. Then: “Does Ronan know?” Elliot’s stomach tightened. “Yes.” “How much?” “Everything.” Bell closed his eyes. Fuck. “What?” “Did he assist you in any homicide?” “No.” “Before?” “No.” “After?” Silence. Bell opened his eyes. There. Lawyer. Danger. “Elliot.” “He lied to police.” “What kind of lie?” Elliot looked away. “About evidence.” Bell’s face hardened. “What evidence?” “No.” “What?” “I’m not telling you.” “You just told me he obstructed a homicide investigation.” “I know.” “Then you need to tell me enough to protect him.” Elliot stared. That phrase. Protect him. “Yes.” Bell leaned forward. “If Ronan independently destroyed, concealed, altered, or moved evidence, that creates exposure for him. If he lied during questioning, that creates separate issues.” “He didn’t move anything.” “Destroy?” “His phone.” Bell stared. “Why?” “Complicated.” “Of course.” “He panicked.” “Any evidence on it?” “No.” “You’re certain?” “Yes.” “What did he conceal?” Elliot’s jaw tightened. Bell waited. “The mask.” Silence. Bell slowly sat back. “The murder mask.” “Yes.” “Where?” “House.” “Does police have it?” “No.” Bell stared for so long Elliot almost became uncomfortable. Almost. “Ronan knows where it is.” “Yes.” “And lied about it.” “Yes.” “Jesus Christ.” Elliot looked down. “I didn’t ask him to.” “Does not matter.” “It matters to me.” Bell’s expression softened slightly. That was worse. “Of course it does.” Elliot looked up. “What happens to him?” “I don’t know yet.” No. He hated that answer. Bell continued. “Which is why you are going to stop speaking about his involvement until I determine what has already been documented.” Elliot nodded. “And if police ask?” “You say you want counsel.” “Yes.” “Not ‘nothing.’” Elliot almost smiled. “Everyone hates that word now.”

“I’m beginning to understand why.”

A knock sounded. Bell turned. The door opened. Vance stood outside.

“Can I speak with counsel?”

Bell got up.

“Without my client.”

“Yes.”

He looked at Elliot.

“Say nothing.”

“Got it.”

Bell stepped out. The door shut. Elliot sat alone. For the first time since confessing, there was nothing to perform. No questions. No Ronan. No Saint. No mother to save. Just him. Five people. He thought of each. Tyler first. Not his face when he died. Before. The bar. That easy smile. The assumption that Elliot would never say anything. Grace. Benjamin. Mason. Lucas. He had always grouped them by what they had done. Easier. Victims turned into categories. Drugging. Blackmail. Abuse. Humiliation. Videos. He had stripped them into offenses because offenses were simple. People weren’t. That did not mean they deserved sympathy from him. Maybe that was still broken. But he understood something now that he hadn’t before. Ronan would have to carry five names forever if Elliot remained silent.

That mattered more than Elliot’s need to stay free. He hated how late he had learned it. The door opened again. Not Bell. Ronan. Elliot stopped breathing. Ronan stood in the doorway with an officer behind him. His temporary phone in one hand. His face looked terrible. Red eyes. So Elliot had been wrong. Three times.

“Five minutes,” the officer said.

Ronan entered. The door closed. Neither spoke. Elliot stood. Ronan didn’t move. Distance. Again. Elliot’s chest tightened.

“Hi.”

Ronan laughed once.

“Hi?”