Chapter 35
Cole was on the veranda when Julie pulled up. He had his coat on and a second mug in his hand. She’d called to see if he was still awake and wanting a visitor. After spending most nights at his house, he was offended that she’d asked.
Julie climbed the steps and took the mug from him. “Thanks.”
Cole kissed her gently. “You’re welcome. And just for the record, you’re more than a visitor.”
Julie smiled and held his hand. “I was being polite.” The cold had settled in fully, and the stars were out above the ridge in the way they got on still nights, abundant and close. She could hear the lake but not see it.
She told Cole about Griffin’s call. About the charges, and about Pete Sawyer. He listened the whole way through without interrupting. It was a thing she valued in him, the quality of his attention when something mattered.
When she’d finished speaking, he looked down at her. “Can I read the article?”
Julie pulled out her phone, found the draft she’d sent to herself before filing, and handed it to him. “It goes live tomorrow.”
They went into the living room and Cole read the story.
He read it once. Then he went back to the top and read it again.
Then he handed the phone back.
“You got it right,” he said.
Julie looked at her phone. “I could have written it in a lot of different ways, but that was for the best.”
Cole was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “It was. You did a good job.”
And she believed him.