Page 76 of Good Boys Don’t Bite

“Do you believe Lucas Harper knew Mason Kerr?”

“Yes.”

Ronan's attention sharpened.

“How?”

“The two had overlapping social circles.”

Another reporter shouted.

“Was Dylan Price the last person to see Harper?”

Vance's expression didn't move.

“We will not be identifying witnesses.”

That meant yes. At least everyone watching would assume it did. The press conference lasted eleven minutes. By the time it ended, Dylan's name was already appearing online. Someone had posted screenshots from his Instagram. Pictures with Lucas. Pictures with Mason. Pictures from parties. Ronan's stomach turned. The internet did what it always did. Built a story before facts had the chance.

DYLAN PRICE KNOWS SOMETHING.

Same guy connected to BOTH victims? Police need to look at him. Victim. Lucas wasn't even confirmed dead. Didn't matter. The narrative had decided. Ronan texted Dylan. No answer. Called. Voicemail. He tried again ten minutes later. Nothing. At five, Dylan finally replied.

DYLAN: phone dying. im home.

Then:

DYLAN: this is fucked

Ronan typed:

RONAN: come over

He hesitated before sending. Not because he didn't want Dylan there. Because he knew exactly how Elliot would react. He sent it anyway.

DYLAN: your place?

RONAN: yeah

DYLAN: stepbrother gonna murder me?

Ronan stared at the message. The joke wasn't funny anymore. He typed:

RONAN: shut up and come over Elliot came home first. The front door opened at 5:37. Ronan was cooking because stress apparently turned him domestic now. Elliot dropped his backpack beside the couch.

“Smells good.”

“Don't sound surprised.”

“I am surprised.”

Ronan glanced over. Elliot wore the same dark green hoodie from that morning beneath his coat. The running shoes were gone. Clean white sneakers instead. Ronan hated that he noticed.

“How was class?” he asked.

“Boring.”

“Claire?”