Page 26

“You can’t mean that.”

“Aye, I can. I hate the idea of you going through this alone.”

“But I dragged you into this …”

“You dragged me into nothing.” I bent my head, holding her eyes. “I don’t go anywhere I don’t want to go.”

Tears blurred her vision. “Forde … I … even though I knew I was following evidence, I don’t think I actually ever let myself truly believe that Greig was capable of this. But what we found …” Her tears spilled over. “How … how did I miss this? How could I be so blind to someone’s evil?”

My chest felt like it was cracking open at the pain in her voice. “Because evil doesn’t reveal itself, Cameron. That’s what makes it evil. It hides in plain sight.”

“You knew … you knew there was something off about him.”

I did. But I found myself half lying to make her feel better. “Nah, I was just being a jealous prick.”

Before Cameron could respond, the door to the interview room opened and an exhilarated-looking DI Mulvaney strode in. A glance at the clock above the door revealed it was now after ten in the evening.

“We’ve arrested Greig Wallace.”

“You found everything, then?” Cameron asked, her voice hoarse with exhaustion.

“I can’t tell you anything at this point other than Wallace is in our custody. For now, you’re not under arrest for breaking and entering his flat, so you’re free to leave. But you must realize this isn’t over for you. Especially you, Ms. McQuarrie.”

“I know.” Cameron’s lips trembled with emotion. “But if I’m right … then it’ll be worth whatever I have to face.”

DI Mulvaney’s expression softened ever so slightly. “You did a very brave thing, Cameron. I hope you know that. You still should have come to us first … but it was brave.”

Cameron’s tears spilled over and my chest fucking ached as I wrapped my arm around her, drawing her head against my shoulder. I smoothed a comforting hand over her hair as she shook against me. “I’ll take her home.”

“We’ll put you up in a hotel for the night. It’s not safe to drive back right now while you’re exhausted.”

“I appreciate it.”

Cameron pulled away from me, wiping at her face. “Nah, I want to go home.”

“Cameron, babe, you need to sleep.” As she opened her mouth to protest, I said the one thing that would convince her. “And so do I. I’m shattered.”

Her lips clamped shut and reluctantly she agreed.

12. Forde

Cameron hadn’t said a word since we left the police station. DI Mulvaney had gotten us situated in a nearby budget hotel. I’d asked for a twin room because I didn’t want to leave Cameron alone and when she didn’t object, I took that to mean she didn’t want to be left alone.

I felt almost like I wasn’t quite present in my body. Like I was floating outside of it in this realm of surrealism as I guided a silent Cameron along a brightly lit corridor to the room. Once inside, Cameron slumped down on the end of one of the beds and I checked the room over.

“Really clean,” I offered as I leaned against the sideboard opposite her.

She was paler than before, and there were dark circles under her eyes. Her demeanor was so anti-Cameron. I’d never seen her defeated or broken by anything and it reinforced how much I cared about her because seeing her that way scared the utter crap out of me.

“I think I need a shower,” she whispered, her gaze unseeing as they locked on my legs.

“Are you hungry? I could go out and grab a late-night takeaway if you want something.” I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I wasn’t concerned about me.

Cameron shook her head. “Nah. Just a shower.”

“I’ll be right out here.”

She nodded blankly and stood, kicking off her trainers.