I eyed my food. I pushed it around with my fork. “I’m not certain the truth matters. Because did I do what they said I did? Yes. Do I regret the horrendous mistake? Yes. Did I trust the wrong person? Also, yes. But was I malicious or sloppy? No to either of those. But apologies and explanations after the damage is done are always too late. Retractions and mea culpas only go so far. In my case, not far enough.” Bile rose in my throat.
Finn laid his hand on mine. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“It really is in the past. I’ve made a new life for myself in Mission City.”Liar. Fucking liar. You think about this every damn day.I tried to silence my inner voice. Nowsowasn’t the time for regrets and recriminations. In the dead of night, when I was all alone, was when the demons could come.
Would come.
I again tried to decide if I was hungry enough to finish my meal.
He squeezed my hand before releasing it. “Ask your question.”
I met his gaze. “What do you know about the shelter?”
Finn eyed me as if trying to work out my intentions. “That I’ve been volunteering there for years. They’re good people. They submit their books for audits regularly. They screen everyone who steps in the door. Uh—” He scratched his nose. “Like other stuff too. They work with the city and the cops when there are abuse situations. They vet all potential adoptive homes.” He shrugged. “Everything’s aboveboard.”
“You don’tknowthat.”
“Yes, I doknowthat.” He met my gaze with his penetrative stare. “What are you getting at?”
“Are you…have you heard anything about animals…disappearing?”
His brow knit. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. All the animals are chipped and tracked. The shelter staff know exactly how many dogs and cats they have at all times. No animalsdisappear.” He glared.
Maybe I was barking up the wrong tree. Maybe Spring had misunderstood. Maybe Finn was as clueless as he appeared to be. All three things could be true at the same time. “I’m just saying…if something nefarious was going on…who might be involved?”
He sighed. “No one. I would trust them all with my life. Hell, if I was in any way worried about the animals, you’d better believe I’d be the first to speak up.” He shoved the rest of his wrap into his mouth.
Clearly, this conversation was over.
The biggest dilemma journalists and police detectives faced was—keep pushing or back off?
After a long moment, I chose the second, at least for now. “I’m sure you’re right. Must’ve been mistaken.”
He swallowed then arched that damn perfect eyebrow again. “Mistaken about what, precisely?”
I waved him off. Then put my fork at the five o’clock position to indicate I was finished eating.
“You coming back to my place?” Finn quirked his eyebrow.
His question caught me off guard. “Huh?”
He leaned forward. “Sex? Do you want it? I mean, it’s been an entire twenty-four hours and—”
“Hell fucking yes.” No way was I passing up great sex.
“But you’re not staying the night.” He held my gaze.
“I can leave. When you kick me out.”Is this the right answer?
“And not before?”
I shook my head.
“Fine. You know the way?”
“I’ll follow you.”
“Right. Good.”
