Chapter Thirty-Five — Don’t Be Late #2
“Maybe.” Elliot’s jaw tightened. Ronan softened.
“Your choice.” “Yes.” There. Responsibility back.
Good. Then Elliot frowned. “What’s yours?
” Ronan froze. Exactly. If Saint used the same pattern, Ronan needed a second secret.
Something worse. Something he’d hide to protect Elliot. His lies? Evidence? Maybe.
“You hid the mask.” Elliot’s chest tightened.
Ronan nodded slowly. “Could be.” “You lied.” “Yes.” “Destroyed your phone.” “Yes.” “Threatened Saint.” “Yes.” Ronan looked uncomfortable.
“That’s enough.” “No.” “What?” Elliot leaned forward.
“Saint keeps escalating.” “I know.” “If your existing secrets aren’t enough—” “They’ll give me another.
” Silence. Both understood. Ronan looked toward the camera.
“Great.” Elliot’s pulse increased. “No.” “Here we go.” “You need to leave.” Ronan stared.
“What?” “Now.” “Why?” “If Saint wants to create another secret for you, being here gives them an opportunity.”
“Doing what?” “I don’t know.” “Then stop.”
“Ronan.” “No.” He leaned closer. “I am not leaving early because Saint might do something.” “You could be safer—” “Where?” That stopped him. Home compromised. County compromised. Federal compromised. Campus. Hospital. Everywhere. Ronan continued.
“Saint’s whole game works because everybody starts moving where they tell them to move.”
Silence. “So I’m sitting here for the rest of my twenty-five minutes.
” Elliot stared. “You’re stubborn.” “Yes.” “I hate it.” “Liar.” “Yes.” That earned a smile.
Then Ronan’s temporary phone vibrated outside.
They both heard it faintly through the door.
No phones allowed inside. The officer looked down.
Another vibration. Ronan’s face tightened. Elliot looked toward the door.
“Saint.” “Probably.” The officer opened the door.
“Mr. Vale?” Ronan turned. “You have an emergency message.” Everything inside Elliot went cold.
“What?” The officer hesitated. “Detective Vance asked me to end the visit.” Ronan stood.
Elliot did too. “No.” Ronan looked at him.
“I know.” “What happened?” “We don’t know yet.
” The officer’s expression suggested they did.
Ronan stepped toward the door. Elliot’s chest tightened.
“Ronan.”
He stopped. Looked back. There. Promise. Still. “I’ll come tomorrow.” “What happened?” “I’ll find out.” “Ronan.” “I’m not disappearing.” Elliot’s breathing changed. The officer waited. Ronan looked directly at him.
“Tomorrow.” Elliot nodded. “Tomorrow.” Ronan left.
The door closed. Elliot stared. The clock read 10:17.
Visit ended early. Saint. Of course. He sat.
No. He couldn’t. He paced. Three steps. Turn.
Three. The officer outside spoke into a radio.
Nothing Elliot could hear. Then Vance appeared. Too fast. She entered. Elliot stared.
“What happened?” “Ronan received a message.” “What message?” Vance hesitated.
“Tell me.” She pulled out her phone. Showed him.
Photograph. Black storage container. His container.
Open. Mask inside. But not beneath the stairs.
The background was wrong. Concrete floor.
Fluorescent light. Unknown room. Elliot stopped breathing.
“The mask.” “Yes.” “No.” “What?” “It was at the house.” “Not anymore.” His pulse slammed. “When?” “We don’t know.” “Ronan didn’t move it.” “No.” “You’re sure?” “Yes.” “How?” “House cameras show someone entering the carriage house at 9:31 this morning.”
Elliot went cold.
“Who?” “No clear face.” “Parents?” “Safe.” “Ronan?” “Here.” “Then what does Saint want?” Vance scrolled. Message beneath the photograph. ONE SECRET LEFT. Another. IF RONAN TELLS YOU WHERE THE MASK IS, HE LOSES. Elliot stared. Game. Again.
“What does that mean?” Vance looked at him.
“Ronan got another message separately.” “What did it say?” She hesitated.
“Vance.” Then showed him. YOU CAN HAVE THE MASK BACK.
JUST DON’T TELL ELLIOT WHERE I PUT IT. Cold moved through him.
Second secret. There. Saint had manufactured one.
Not huge. Not yet. A secret between them.
Exactly what Caleb warned. Elliot stared.
“What did Ronan do?” Vance’s expression changed. “He told me to bring you both messages.” Elliot stopped. “What?” “He refused.” Relief moved through him so hard it almost hurt. “He told you immediately.” “Yes.” No secret. Saint failed. Again. Elliot almost smiled. Vance watched.
“What?” “Nothing.” Then he laughed. Actually laughed. Vance frowned. “Why is that funny?” “Because Saint doesn’t understand him.” Silence. “They thought Ronan would hide it.” “Yes.”
“He didn’t.” “Yes.” “Good.” The word came naturally. Not Saint. Not reward. Just Ronan. Vance studied him. Then:
“There’s more.” Elliot’s smile faded. Of course. “What?” “The location in the photograph was identified.” “How?” “Background markings.” “Where?” Vance looked at him. “St. Augustine Behavioral Health.” Silence. The abandoned hospital. Saint. Adrian Cross. Everything.
“Mask is there.” “Apparently.” “Trap.” “Yes.” “Ronan wants to go.” “No.” Vance almost smiled.
“He said you’d say that.” “I’m serious.” “So is he.” Elliot’s jaw tightened.
“He’s not going.” “You are under federal detention.” “I don’t care.
” “That has become obvious.” Elliot stepped closer.
“Do not let him into that building.” Vance stared.
“Why?” “Because Saint wants him there.” “Probably.” “They’re done testing me.
” “Maybe.” “They’re testing him.” “Yes.”
Elliot looked toward the door. Ronan somewhere outside. Arguing. Probably.
“I need to talk to him.” “You just did.” “Again.” “No.” “Vance.” “No.” She softened slightly. “He already knows what you think.” “How?” “He knows you.” That stopped him. Of course. Vance continued. “He told me you’d say it’s a trap, tell him not to go, and try to bargain your way out of custody.”
Elliot looked away. Accurate. Annoying. “What did he say after?” Vance sighed.
“That he’s going anyway.” Elliot’s chest tightened.
“No.” “He’ll have a full team.” “No.” “Federal tactical.” “No.” “Ronan is not entering first.” “No.” Vance stared.
Elliot stared back. Then she said: “He wants the mask recovered before your case proceeds.” Silence.
“He thinks it matters.” “It does.” “Exactly.” Elliot hated that.
The mask. Evidence. His confession. All real.
All necessary. Ronan was trying to protect legal truth now, not hide it.
Growth. Fuck. Elliot looked toward the camera.
“Saint wants me to tell him not to go.” Vance frowned. “What?” “That’s why the visit ended.”
He understood. Saint sends secret. Ronan refuses. Then mask location. Next choice. Ronan goes. Elliot panics. Beg. Control. Saint watches. Again.
“No.” Vance stared. “What?” “I’m not calling him.
” “You just demanded to.” “I changed my mind.” “In thirty seconds.” “Growth.” Vance almost laughed.
Elliot continued. “He already chose.” “Yes.” “If I try to stop him, I’m giving Saint the reaction.
” “Maybe.” “I trust him.” The words felt strange.
Hard. Good. Vance looked surprised. So was Elliot.
“I trust Ronan.” He repeated it. Better.
Vance nodded. “Okay.” Elliot stared toward the door.
His body hated the decision. Every instinct screamed.
Go. Control. Protect. Stop him. He couldn’t.
Maybe he shouldn't. Ronan had asked him to choose trust. Fine. He would. It felt worse than murder. Interesting. Vance’s phone vibrated. She checked. Her expression changed.
“What?” “Ronan.” Elliot’s pulse jumped. “What did he say?” She turned the screen. Message from Ronan. Tell him I’m coming back. Elliot stared. Then another: And tell him not to bite anyone while I’m gone. His mouth twitched. Fuck him. Vance smiled faintly.
“Anything you want me to send back?” Elliot looked at the words. Then toward the camera. Saint might see everything. Fine. Let them.
“Yeah.” “What?” Elliot smiled. Not golden. Not murderous. His. “Tell him not to be late.”