Chapter Thirty-Four — I’m Coming Back
Chapter Thirty-Four — I’m Coming Back
RONAN
For three seconds, Ronan forgot how locked doors worked. He simply moved. Across the county-holding lobby. Past Gregory Bell. Straight toward the secured corridor Elliot had disappeared behind less than five minutes earlier. A uniformed officer stepped in front of him.
“Sir.”
“Move.”
“Sir, you can’t—”
“Someone is inside.”
The officer frowned. Ronan shoved the temporary phone toward his face.
“Someone just took this.”
The photograph filled the screen. Elliot.
Gray county clothes. Head turned slightly toward the holding-cell window.
Timestamp less than sixty seconds old. The officer’s expression changed.
Everything after that happened fast. Radio.
Code. Doors. Two officers disappeared through the secured entrance. Bell took Ronan by the arm.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Ronan.”
“Let go.”
“You cannot storm a detention facility.”
“I’m aware.”
“You appear unconvinced.”
Ronan pulled free. His pulse pounded so hard he could feel it behind his eyes. Another message arrived.
HE STILL LOOKS FOR YOU WHEN A DOOR OPENS.
Ronan’s stomach dropped. Saint wasn’t guessing. They were watching Elliot in real time. Maybe standing ten feet away. Maybe wearing a uniform. Maybe sitting behind a monitor. Maybe— Bell took the phone.
“Stop.”
Ronan looked at him.
“What?”
“Thinking in every direction at once.”
“I’m not.”
“You absolutely are.”
Another message. CUTE, ISN’T IT? Ronan grabbed the phone back. Typed before Bell could stop him. Touch him and I’ll kill you. Sent. Silence. Bell stared. Ronan stared at the screen. Then immediately realized what he had done. Fuck. Saint answered.
THERE HE IS.
Ronan closed his eyes. Of course. Of fucking course. Bell looked over his shoulder.
“You just threatened an unidentified offender in writing.”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful.”
“Not now.”
“No, now is exactly when I say that.”
Ronan ignored him. Another message appeared. YOU PROMISED HIM YOU WOULDN’T. Cold moved through Ronan. Saint knew that too. Maybe from the microphones. Maybe Nathan. Maybe Elliot. Maybe none. It didn’t matter anymore. Ronan typed. I promised him I wouldn’t become him. Pause. Then:
SAME THING.
Ronan’s jaw tightened.
“No.”
Bell looked at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t start that.”
Apparently even Bell knew now. Ronan looked toward the secure corridor.
“Saint thinks violence and becoming Elliot are the same thing.”
Bell stared.
“Given Elliot’s recent confession, I understand the association.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“No?”
“No.”
Ronan paced.
“Elliot killed because he decided people deserved it.”
Bell said nothing. “I threatened Saint because I’m scared.
” “That distinction matters legally.” “Fuck legally.” Bell stared.
Ronan corrected. “Right now.” “That improvement was almost inspiring.” Ronan ignored him.
The door opened. Detective Vance emerged.
Ronan went toward her immediately. “Where is he?” “Secure.” “Did you see him?” “Yes.” “Actually?” “Yes.” “Is anyone with him?” “Two officers.” “Names?” Vance’s eyebrows lifted.
Ronan realized. “Sorry.” “No, you’re not.
” “No.” She held out her hand. “Phone.” Ronan hesitated.
“Now.” He gave it over. Vance scrolled through the messages.
Her expression hardened at Ronan’s threat.
“You typed this?” “Clearly.” “Do not communicate again.” “I know.” “You obviously don’t.
” “Where was the photograph taken from?” “We’re checking cameras.
” “Then check faster.” Vance looked up. “Ronan.” “What?” “Do not become another problem I have to manage.” The sentence hit exactly where Saint wanted.
He knew it. Vance probably did not. Ronan laughed once.
“Great.” “What?” “Nothing.” She narrowed her eyes.
Ronan shook his head. “Saint keeps trying to make everything I do part of Elliot.” Vance’s expression changed.
“Explain.” “The threat.” “Your threat.” “Yes.” “They called it proof I’m becoming him.
” Vance looked at the screen again. “Are you?” Ronan stared.
Bell went still. “What?” “You lied for Elliot.” Ronan’s stomach tightened.
“You concealed information.” Silence. “You destroyed your phone after police questioning.” Ronan’s jaw hardened.
Vance continued. “Now you’re threatening to kill someone.
” Bell stepped in. “Detective.” “No. He needs to hear it.” Ronan looked at her.
For some reason, he appreciated that. Hated it.
Also appreciated it. Vance lowered the phone.
“You don’t get to dismiss every choice you make because Saint wants to claim credit.
” There. Same thing Ronan had been telling Elliot.
His chest tightened. Vance continued. “If you lie, that is your lie.” “Yes.” “If you threaten someone, that is your threat.” “Yes.” “If you protect Elliot, that is your decision.” “Yes.” “Saint can interpret it however they want.” Ronan stared.
Then exhaled. “Okay.” Bell looked almost surprised.
Vance nodded once. “Good.” Ronan almost laughed.
Everyone needed a new word. Then an officer appeared through the secured door.
“Detective.” Vance turned. The officer’s face was wrong.
Ronan knew immediately. “What?” The officer looked at him.
Then Vance. “We found something.” Ronan’s stomach dropped.
“What?” Vance stepped toward him. “Where?” “Staff access hall.” “Person?” “No.” Ronan hated that answer.
The officer continued. “Phone.” Silence.
Vance’s expression hardened. “Burner?” “Looks like.” “Where?” “Inside a maintenance cabinet.” Ronan stared.
Saint had planted a phone inside county holding.
Maybe before today. Maybe weeks ago. Vance asked, “Live?” “Still powered.” “Any camera connection?” “Tech is checking.” Ronan looked toward the corridor.
“So Saint isn’t inside.” Vance looked at him.
“Maybe not physically.” Relief tried to arrive.
Failed. The photograph still existed. Someone or something had taken it.
“How?” “Building camera access,” Vance said.
Ronan froze. “They hacked the security system.” “Possible.” “So the photo came from county cameras.” “Maybe.” “Then they can see him.” “Yes.”
The answer came too plainly. Ronan felt sick.
“Move him.”
“We are.”
“Where?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“What?”
“For exactly this reason.”
Ronan stared. Vance continued.
“If Saint has access to communication around this building, the fewer people who know his new location, the better.”
“His?”
“Elliot.”
“I know who you mean.”
“Then let us move him.”
Ronan’s hands curled. Every instinct screamed against it. Elliot moved somewhere Ronan didn’t know. No. That was exactly the point. Saint knew too much because everyone kept carrying information. Maybe Ronan needed not to know. He hated it.
“I want to see him first.”
“No.”
The answer hurt. Ronan stared.
“I promised.”
Vance’s expression softened by a fraction.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I know you promised to visit.”
Ronan went still. How— Then remembered. Police interviews. Everything.
“Let me tell him.”
“You just saw him.”
“Before Saint sent a fucking picture from inside your building.”
Vance stared. Ronan lowered his voice.
“He’s going to think I disappeared.”
“He knows you’re here.”
“You don’t know that.”
“He was told.”
“By who?”
“Me.”
Ronan stopped.
“When?”
“Five minutes ago.”
“What did he say?” Vance’s mouth twitched.
“Exactly what you’d expect.” Ronan waited.
“He asked whether you were still in the lobby.” His chest tightened.
“And?” “I said yes.” “Then?” “He said okay.” Ronan closed his eyes.
Okay. That fucking word. Simple. Trusting.
Elliot believed he was still there because Vance told him.
Ronan exhaled. “Fine.” Bell stared. Vance did too.
“What?” “I said fine.” “You’re agreeing?
” “Don’t make it weird.” Vance almost smiled.
“Stay here.” “Yeah.” She disappeared behind the secured door again.
Ronan sat. For once. Bell sat beside him.
Neither spoke for a minute. Then Bell said: “You understand you may need your own attorney.” Ronan laughed.
“There it is.” “I’m serious.” “So am I.” “You have potential exposure.” “I know.” “Lying to police.” “Yes.” “Possible evidence concealment.” “Yes.” “Obstruction.” “Maybe.” Bell looked at him.
Ronan sighed. “Fine. Yes.” “And now a written threat.” “To Saint.” “Still a person.” “Debatable.”
“Legally not.”
Ronan leaned forward. Hands between his knees.
“If protecting Elliot gets me charged, then I’ll deal with it.”
Bell stared.
“That is exactly the attitude I’m concerned about.”
Ronan looked over.
“What would you prefer?”
“Proportionality.”
“Lawyer word.”
“Human word.”
Bell’s voice softened.
“You can love him without setting fire to your own life.”
Ronan went quiet. There. Again. Everybody apparently had the same lesson now. Saint wanted love to mean destruction. Elliot had thought love meant possession. Ronan had started treating love like sacrifice. Maybe all three were wrong.
“What does that look like?”
Bell frowned.
“What?”
“Loving someone like Elliot without destroying yourself.”
Bell stared.
“Wrong person to ask.”
“You’re married.”
“To an accountant.”
“Same thing.”
Bell actually laughed. Brief. Then sobered.
“It probably looks like boundaries.”
Ronan almost groaned.
“Everyone loves that word too.”
“Because it matters.”
Bell looked toward the locked doors.
“You can visit.”
“Yes.”
“You can support him.”
“Yes.”
“You can care about his legal defense.”
“Yes.”
“You can refuse to help him conceal crimes.”
Ronan’s jaw tightened. There. The part he had already failed. Bell continued.
“You can love someone and still refuse to participate in the worst thing about them.”