“No,” I said firmly. Naturally, that didn’t go over very well, but it was the truth, and I stuck by it.
“What the hell do you meanno? I was the one who was attacked. I went to sleep so many nights wondering if that bastard was still out there. You knew he wasn’t and didn’t tell me?”
“Because it wasn’t about him,” I implored, moving around the desk. “He was the tail and not the head of this snake. Finding him dead was satisfying, but it still left whoever hired him out there. That is who we need to find.”
“I know that,” she shouted. “Which brings up my next point. You told me you were going to Dallas for an entirely separate case. You lied. Again.”
I flinched at the betrayal that strummed through her voice.
“I didn’t lie.”
“Micah, don’t try to get cute with me and spin more lies. You drove up to Dallas in search of clues for the case that involved my grandfather’s death, did you not?”
Why the hell did I begin feeling as if I were on trial? “Yes.” I folded my arms over my chest.
She held up her hand and stepped back, shaking her head. “This is the bullshit I’m talking about. How am I supposed to trust you if you lie to my face?” There was so much hurt in hers that it nearly cut me in half to see.
My mouth felt dry and I couldn’t even push words out. I’d convinced myself I was doing the right thing, but right then, I wasn’t sure.
“I told you all my secrets, all while you were keeping secrets.”
I shook my head. “I wasn’t fucking keeping secrets. I was keeping you safe,” I growled, feeling frustrated by the loss of control I felt. I reached for her arm, but she pulled away from me.
“Don’t. You lied.”
“I did what was best for you and this case. I’m not going to apologize for doing either.”
Her gaze squinted. She glared and sucked her teeth, spinning on her heels.
“Where the hell are you going?”
“Home,” she tossed over her shoulder and walked out.
I started to call for her to stop, but I pushed out a breath, feeling somewhat relieved. I still had more questions than answers. When I got them answered, I could take the information to Jodi and calmly explain to her why I’d found it necessary to keep her out of the loop.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Don’t give me that face. He’s a duplicitous liar,” I said, looking over at Hound in the passenger seat. He stared at me.
“What do you know? You’re his best friend, anyway. You probably think he can do no wrong.”
He made a whimpering sound before lowering his massive head to the seat.
I didn’t say anything as I continued the drive back to my grandparents’ house. It was where I belonged for now. I needed time to think. I felt more comfortable going there with all the security measures in place. I didn’t want to be at Micah’s home.
“We’re here,” I told Hound a while later, as I turned my truck into the long driveway. It’d been over a month since I’d been back to the property. I pushed aside the stark difference in feeling between the first time I arrived via Uber months earlier, and this latest time.
Hollow.
That’s how I felt as I came to a stop a few feet from the porch and stared at the house. I wasn’t fearful, but I found myself not wanting to stay overnight as I initially intended.
My phone buzzed, and I saw it was a text from Micah. I’d ignored his previous calls.
Micah: Where are you?
Me: Home.
Micah: I’m home, and you’re not here.
