But there was more than one bar at Midnight. “You think we should check the others?” I didn’t want to, because I had a niggling feeling that I wasn’t going to like it.
None of the other bars were manned by Nick either, until we came to the upstairs one. And there he was, in all his tattooed glory, serving not just me but Callum as well.
No.
No, no, no.
I’d only just found him again. “For fuck’s sake.” I stood up, hands fisting my hair. “Now what?”
Max didn’t seem half as concerned as I was. “I don’t know.”
“We have to tell someone, right?” As much as I didn’t want to even contemplate that Nick might be somehow involved, we were looking at the evidence. I looked at the screen again. And oh fuck, it wasn’t only Nick who looked like he’d lied. “Pull up the information we have on victims three and four.”
Max did as I asked, then shot me a curious glance. “What are you thinking?”
I bit my lip.Should I tell him? Should I voice concerns that might very well paint me in a fucking awful light?
Yes.
I trusted Max. Trusted him to listen without jumping to conclusions and hopefully help sort this mess out.
This mess that might not be as bad as you’re thinking.
I walked over to the information board. “Mia Byrom and Ben Holder were both from my town. I didn’t know them well, but I had interacted with them in the days before they died.” I tapped Callum’s picture and then Blake’s. “I didn’t think I’d met Callum, but we have evidence that says otherwise, and we spoke to Blake last night.”
Max sat back in his chair. “The other two were attacked before you even got there, though.”
I wanted to hug him for believing that I had nothing to do with it. But I also had to play devil’s advocate, because if this led where I thought it would, Max wouldn’t be the only one I had to convince. “That’s true, but those towns are only a few hours’ drive, Max. I could be there and back without anyone noticing I was gone, unless they were watching for me.”
“I know it looks bad, Mase. But Blake knew nothing about the Blue Alhuirn in his house, nor about supplying it to anyone, but all the evidence suggests otherwise. It stands to reason that whatever made him forget could also be the same thing affecting youandNick.”
“You don’t think Nick lied about seeing me?”
I wanted to believe him so badly.
“When we went to see Zane, Nick was genuinely shocked and delighted to see you.” He shrugged. “I can usually tell when people aren’t one hundred per cent honest in their reaction, and Nick was as honest as they come. In my opinion, as far as he was concerned, he was seeing you for the first time in years.”
“Thank fuck.” I slumped onto the edge of my desk, relief so strong I felt lightheaded. I’d needed Nick to be for real.
My phone buzzed on the desk, making me jump.
Max snorted. “Bet you that’s Rys.”
Sure enough, Rys’s name flashed up on my screen.
Rys: You ok?
My smile was automatic.
Gabriel: Yeah. Stuff with the case, that’s all. Don’t worry. x
Rys: Ok. Be careful. x
Rys: And Gabriel? I’ll always worry x
Having someone else so concerned about me would take some getting used to. As would having my emotions wide open for Rys to read. Didn’t mean I didn’t like it though.
“This bond stuff is weird, right?” I looked up to find Max watching me, an indecipherable expression on his face.
