Vindicate (Recovered Innocence #1)(49)

“And how did you feel about that?”

He picks at an invisible spot on the table with the side of his thumbnail. “What do you mean?”

“Did you mess with her after she broke up with you so she’d keep calling you?”

His gaze jerks to mine. “What? No. Of course not.”

“Not even a little?”

“No.”

I want to believe him, but Leo’s words combined with the vibes I’m getting off Dylan make me wonder if he’s telling the truth or not.

His gaze drops to his tightly clenched hands on the table. “I didn’t hurt her. I could never…”

“Rape her repeatedly and kill her?”

“No. God, no. I loved her.” He turns to me, his eyes filled with tears. “I was in love with her when Beau asked her out. Did he ever tell you that?”

“Beau wouldn’t do that to a friend.”

“He did do it. Why do you think I jumped at the chance to be with Cassandra the minute they were over? She was supposed to be mine.”

“You told Beau you were in love with Cassandra?”

“He knew I liked her.”

“Yeah, but did you tell him you were in love with her? Specifically.”

“No.” He drops his head into his hands. “I never told Beau about my feelings. I don’t know why I said that.”

I let out the breath I’ve been holding. I knew Beau wouldn’t do something like that to a friend. I feel sorry for Dylan.

“Can you think of anything else that would help me find out who killed Cassandra?”

“No. I wish I could.”

“Okay. Thanks for coming.” I start to stand.

“I miss him.”

Dylan’s words catch me off guard. I’m not sure what to say other than to lay into him for not taking the time to visit Beau.

“I tried to see him a couple of times. In the beginning. He left as soon as he saw me sitting at the table. He never answered a single letter. I miss him. Isn’t that stupid after everything?”

Again, he surprises me. I had no idea he’s been trying to stay in contact. “No. I don’t think it’s stupid at all.” I say quietly. “I miss him too.”

He drops his hands and stands. “Get him out of there. Find out who really killed Cassandra and get him out of that damn place.”

“I’m doing everything I can. If you think of anything else, please let me know.”

“I will.”

I walk him out to reception and give him a hard hug. It’s the closest I’ve come in five and a half years to hugging my brother. The door opens as we pull apart. Leo stands in the doorway, glancing between Dylan and me. I never got to tell him about Dylan’s visit.

Behind me, Savannah sing-songs, “Uh-oh.”

Dylan kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll call you.”

“Please do. Thanks for coming. I appreciate it,” I tell him.

Dylan squeezes past Leo, who is gaping at me like he can’t believe what he just saw. I turn on my heels and head for our office. Let him think what he wants. I don’t care. I have work to do.

For some reason Cassandra’s calls to the police never appeared in any of the documents. I need to find out who the officer was who gave Cassandra his card. He might have vital information. I start a new search, guesstimating on the timing of that call. The page pops up just as the office door opens, then slams shut, rattling the pictures on the walls.

“Who in the hell was that?”





Chapter 22


Leo


My head is going to explode. Literally shatter into tiny f*cking bits, splattering the walls and everything in the room. Less than twenty-four hours after getting naked with me and Cora’s already in the arms of some other guy. I debate for half a second about going after the * and punching the shit out of him for touching her. Then Cora strolls off like nothing and closes the door to our office, shutting me out. No. Fuck, no.

I go after her. Before I reach the door Savannah gets in a jab: “You snooze, you lose. Idiot.”

I ignore her and the fact that she’s totally right and storm into our office, slamming the door after me. I’ve got to know. “Who in the hell was that?”

“Hmmm?” Cora doesn’t look up from her computer screen. She jabs at the keys, the clicking of the keyboard echoing off the walls, punching up my anger.

I stalk forward, more jealous of anyone or anything than I’ve ever been in my life. It’s a fire blazing through me, consuming me, hazing the edges of my vision. Cora is mine.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

She turns to me then. “Excuse me?”

“You go off and kiss some other guy—”

“Slow up. I did not go off and kiss anyone. He kissed me. On the cheek. And what do you care, anyway?”

“What do I care? What do I care?” I couldn’t give three shits that I’m shouting. “Last night!”

“What about it?”

She’s doing this on purpose, purposefully trying to get me to say what I can’t say. “You know what!”

“No. I don’t. I don’t know what or why or anything about what’s got you so pissed off.”