Page 142 of Chameleon Killer

“Was that a joke?”

My question.

“Right.” I walked back to the desk but didn’t sit. “At the time, Elliot was...” I searched for a description that didn’t feel like an excuse. “Safe.”

The word surprised me.

Apparently him too, because nothing appeared immediately.

“He was a known quantity,” I continued. “And I’d been living in a situation where almost nothing felt known. He understood the case. He understood what was happening. He was there.”

And Mr. Carter was not.

The words hit hard enough that I looked away. “That wasn’t why.”

Wasn't it?

“No.” This time, it was my answer that came far too quickly. I knew it. Simon probably knew it. Hell, if Flint were here, he’d damn well know it.

I rubbed my forehead. “Flint wasn’t an option.”

Why?

I gave the screen a hard look.

“That is absolutely another question.”

Correct.

“My turn.”

Proceed.

“Did you kill Colin Thorne?”

No.

Again. No hesitation or qualification.

“Did you attack him?”

No.

“Arrange it?”

No.

“Participate in any way in his death?”

No.

My heartbeat picked up. I sat again because my knees had begun to wobble and I refused to let that weakness show.

“Then whoever killed Colin and Guy wanted everyone to believe you did.”

Yes.

The first clean confirmation he had given me beyond denying the murders.