Page 399 of A Matter of Time

Agent Calhoun was staring a hole through my head. “I’m not saying I believe you, and you’re definitely going to jail for obstruction, but I will look into⁠—”

“Wasn’t she coming to talk to Caleb, along with the negotiator?”

“Yeah, but⁠—”

“Can we find out where she is? Because I don’t want her anywhere near Dane.”

He gestured for the SWAT guys to follow him, which they did, carrying me, hands under my arms, as my feet left the ground. I was forcibly shoved into the squad car and made to sit. They didn’t cuff me, which was nice, so I could get my phone out and call Dane.

“I’m gonna kill you myself!” he roared at me instead of saying hello.

“Wait, listen. Caleb was only an accomplice, Dane. Susan’s the one who killed all those guys and Greg Fain. She’s the murderer, not Caleb.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ll tell you when I get outta here, but promise me—swear on my life that you won’t go anywhere with her and you won’t be alone with her.”

“Jory, I⁠—”

“Please, please. I know you think I’m crazy, but I’m really not. Please, Dane. Please don’t go anywhere with her.”

“God, you sound frantic.”

And I realized how frenzied I must have sounded. “Please,” I begged him again.

“Fine, whatever you want, just get back here now.”

“I dunno, I think Agent Calhoun wants to put me in jail.”

“What?”

“That’s what he said,” I said. “He’s really mad.”

“We’re all mad, Jory. You’re an idiot!”

Which was probably true. I couldn’t really defend myself.

“Where’s Agent Calhoun?”

“He’s yelling at people.”

“Where are you now?”

“In the back of a police car.”

“Jory, I’m going to⁠—”

Muffled noises, and then came the familiar yelling.

“You are never ever leaving the house again when this is over, do you understand me? You will be a shut-in for the rest of your life! I hope you’re fuckin’ happy!”

I smiled into the phone. In the midst of everything, Sam was livid with me because I had put myself in danger. “Hi, Sam.”

“Jory, goddamnit!” he thundered, his voice firing out of my phone. “I want you back here right. Fucking. Now. Do you hear me?”

“I wish you were better.”

“What?”