Page 170 of Smoke and Glitter

"The potato salad was warm."

"That does sound actionable, unless it was German."

"Hmm, I hadn't thought about that."

"I hope you preserved evidence."

"I took a picture."

I laugh and start to stand. "I need another drink."

"Wait."

Jake says it too quickly.

I stop halfway up.

He closes his eyes.

Slowly, I sit back down. "Why?"

"No reason."

My eyes move toward the kitchen.

Then toward Colt, who is still studying his phone with the concentration of a man trying to disappear into it.

Something clicks.

Jake sees it happen.

"Autumn."

I turn toward him. "That was an extremely useful wait."

"I haven't told you anything."

"You didn't need to."

His mouth tightens around the edge of his beer.

I could get the rest out of him in thirty seconds.

With Jake, I know exactly which questions to ask, when to stop talking and how long he can tolerate silence before he starts filling it. I could walk into the kitchen. I could ask Colt. I could have the whole thing opened up and laid out before Sam came back.

Instead, I reach for my drink.

Jake watches me. "You're not going to interrogate me?"

"No. And don't sound so surprised or I'll reconsider."

Jake lifts the beer to his mouth again. My heart is beating too fast, but I stay where I am. Whatever Sam is doing in that kitchen belongs to him until he's ready to give it to me.

Summer comes back a few minutes later and lowers herself carefully into the armchair. Her face is suspiciously neutral.

I take another drink and offer her the same courtesy.

Sam follows shortly after.