City of the Lost (Rockton 1)

He didn't fuck up. I'd been finally crawling out of the hole I dropped into more than a decade ago. I want out of that hole, and I needed the cushion of lies for a little while longer, because this hurts. Hell and damn, this hurts.

"You suspected from the start, didn't you?" I say.

"Yeah."

"You suspected both of us of lying."

"It was too coincidental. For twelve years, no one bothers you, and then all of a sudden you're both in trouble? Yours was the story I was more concerned about, though."

"Because I'm the one you had to work with."

"I thought you and the bartender staged the attack. So the council's people investigated, and I double-checked all their work, and I had my father do the same."

"Wouldn't it make more sense to have Kurt attack me and blame the Saratori family?"

He shrugs. "Maybe he offered to take the bullet for you. Maybe you knew it'd be tougher to get in up here if you were injured. But, yeah, that was one thing that suggested it wasn't faked. Anyway, no one found any evidence you'd staged it. And the fact you tried to get Diana in without you? Made no sense if your story was false. I wasn't completely happy, but I let you in, and I saw that you honestly didn't want to be here. Didn't want to be anywhere, really, but you weren't relieved or happy or whatever I'd expect if you pulled one over on us."

"But Diana was. When did you start seriously investigating her?"

"I asked my father to look into it when I went to pick you up. By the time we went back to Dawson City, he'd found out about the missing money and the ex who just paid off some serious debts. He also got proof they'd reunited--overnight trips and stuff."

Got another training seminar this weekend. At least the company is investing in me, huh?

He continues. "The Saratori thing really was a coincidence--one she took advantage of. And it did help you. I gave her that much. Bringing you along. Getting you out of danger. So I wasn't completely ready to write her off. I thought maybe there was another explanation for the money thing. And if she was back with her ex, why be screwing everything in pants here? Then I heard a rumour that she'd gotten wasted and talked about what she and Graham did, how she doesn't think he'll be waiting with the money when she gets back."

"Really? What a shock. So sleeping around was revenge." I take a deep breath. "Is this what Isabel was talking about last night? She heard the same rumour about why Diana is here?"

He nods. Then he looks to one side, and I notice Beth there. She's stopped, as if she was about to retreat.

"Sorry," she says. "I saw you two and wanted to give you the full autopsy report. But I ... I guess that can wait."

"How much did you hear?" Dalton asks, and she blanches, though there's no accusation in his voice.

"Not much, but ... I already knew. I was going to speak to you about it today, Eric."

"Fuck," he says. "Did everyone hear that damned rumour?"

"Rumour? No. Diana told me. When I got her back home after the fire, she was in shock and, possibly, in pain. I gave her something and she, well, it must have reacted with the rydex. She got confused. She thought I was Casey and confessed what she did to her."

"She confessed," I say.

She nods, but I didn't phrase it as a question. It is no longer a question.

"If you like, I can be the one to tell Diana she has to go home," Dalton says, in a tone that says he already knows my answer but he'll offer anyway.

I shake my head and continue to Diana's apartment.

FIFTY-TWO

I want to do this alone. Beth won't let me.

"She's unstable, Casey, and last night and the drugs have pushed her over the edge. I'd really rather not sedate her again. Eric can restrain her, if need be, while you calm her down and make it clear she has no choice."

So they come with me but stay outside the bedroom. Dalton positions himself at the door, where Diana--resting in bed--can't see him.

Diana and I talk for a few minutes. That's not me avoiding the conversation. It's me unable to roar in, guns blasting, and demand answers. Th

at will never be me, no matter how much I'm hurting.