City of the Lost (Casey Duncan #1)(135)

“Apo—Apologize?”

“I saved you and you treated me like crap, and I’m not giving you the chance to make amends now. I’m walking out of this shithole of a town and I’m going south, to a real life, the kind I could never have while you were hanging around my neck.”

I open my mouth, but she’s going strong.

“I’m going to track down that * Graham and get my money. I have a plan all worked out. The perfect way to get him to do what I want.” She gives that ugly smile again. “Because I’ve realized I’m kinda good at that, aren’t I?”

She stands there, chin raised. After a moment she says, “Come on, Casey, hit me. You know you want to.”

“No, I don’t.”

“How about you, sheriff?” she calls. “I know you’re listening. Making sure I don’t damage your broken little girl. Come on in and tell me what you think of me.”

Dalton opens the back screen door and she sneers, as if he’s sneaking in, abashed. Which he isn’t—leaving that door open meant he hadn’t been hiding.

“Go for it, sheriff,” she says. “Tell me what a bitch I am.”

“Nah,” he says. “A bitch has spine. You’re just pathetic.”

She launches herself at him, and before I can intercede, he’s blocked her, easily holding her away from him until she backs off, her lip curled. Then she spins on me.

“You want to apologize, Casey. Fine. Get it out of your system.”

“I have nothing to apologize for. You do, but I see that’s not forthcoming, so—”

“I saved you,” she says. “Look at you. A new boyfriend. New friends. An actual social life. And you’re a goddamned local hero. Solved the mystery. Saved the town. All hail Casey Duncan—whoops, Butler. Casey Duncan is a murderer. Casey Butler is a hero.”

“Are you finished?” I ask, and that really does stop her. Into the silence, I say, “Yes, I’m better off for coming up here. It was exactly what I needed. But you didn’t bring me here to help me. You brought me here to help you. To be here for you.”

“Um, no. I brought you to stop you from searching for me.”

“That was probably part of it, but if you’re going to pretend that we weren’t friends? Bullshit. You don’t hang out with someone for years because they’re useful. But slant this your own way, if it makes you feel better. We’ll pretend you only brought me along because you couldn’t afford to have me search for you, though I’m sure that was Graham’s idea.”

I’m about to say he was the brains of the operation and she was the twit who stood by him, but I’m not going there. I realize Dalton’s word for her is perfect. Pathetic. And I do feel pity. I know she’s lashing out to protect herself. I’ll let her have that.

I turn to Dalton. “She’s all yours.”

I walk to the door as Val steps in and says, “Diana’s still here? Good. There’s been a change of plans.”


We’re at Val’s listening to Phil on the satellite radio. I’m there with Dalton and Diana. Isabel is there, too—summoned by the council, though no one seems to know why.

“We’ve changed our mind,” Phil says. “Diana is staying in Rockton.”

I’m not sure who says “What?” first—or louder.

Phil continues, “It is the decision of this council that Diana Berry is clearly unstable and poses a serious exposure threat. She will remain in Rockton until that risk assessment changes. Isabel will assist in Diana’s rehabilitation.”

Isabel opens her mouth, but Diana cuts her off. “You can’t make me stay. That’s kidnapping. Unlawful confinement.”

“No, it’s not,” Phil says. “Eric? The council wishes to officially inform you that Ms. Berry is exempt from all laws regarding personal freedom of movement.”

“What the hell does that mean?” she snaps.

“That you’re allowed to leave,” Isabel says. “If you want to walk into that forest and find your way home, Eric is not allowed to stop you. So this isn’t unlawful confinement.”

“No way,” Diana says. “No f*cking way.” She spins to me. “Casey, say something. Tell them they can’t do this.”

Isabel bursts out laughing. “Really, sugar? You are indeed a piece of work.”

I turn to the radio and say, “So how much is Graham paying you to keep her here?”

Phil doesn’t respond, and that silence answers my question.

Diana wheels on Dalton. “It’s all true. Everything you’ve accused me of. I had sex for money. I did dex more than twice. I can get witnesses to both. I wanted to have fun and I broke the rules doing it, and you don’t want me here.”

“Yeah, I really don’t. But it doesn’t seem like I have a choice.”

“I might hurt Casey,” she says. “I’ll blame her for this and—”

“We believe Detective Butler can take care of herself,” Phil interjects. “But if you do cause trouble in that regard, you are subject to double penalties or more if needed. This matter isn’t open for discussion. You will be assigned a new job and new quarters, which will improve as your attitude does. Isabel will be in charge of making that determination. Now, good day.”